Composites Technician (COPV)

Spacex; Westminster (MD); On-site; USD 48,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Bonuses

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

401(k) plan

Disability insurance

Parental leave

Job summary

SpaceX in Westminster, MD is seeking a Composites Technician (COPV) to manufacture flight-critical COPVs by filament winding, curing, and finishing per engineering drawings and process specs. This on-site role supports Starship COPV production in a fast-paced flight-hardware environment.

Responsibilities include preparing liners, winding COPV overwraps, curing, trimming, and assembling COPV hardware, with inspection using calipers and micrometers.

Qualifications

• HS diploma or equivalent required.
• 1+ years in a manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare metallic COPV liners and bond interfaces for overwrap.
• Manufacture COPVs by filament winding and resin application.
• Set up and operate filament winding equipment; verify winding programs and monitor fiber path.

Skills

Manufacturing experience

Attention to detail

Reading engineering drawings

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

CNC filament winding

Job description

the company was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today the company is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal ofenabling human life on Mars.

COMPOSITES TECHNICIAN (COPV)

The Starship COPV Composites Technician manufactures flight-critical composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) used to store high-pressure gases on Starship and Super Heavy. This is a hands-on production role: preparing metallic liners, filament-winding the composite overwrap, curing, and trimming, finishing, and assembling COPV hardware to engineering drawings and process specifications.

This position is onsite at a the company production facility supporting Starship COPV manufacturing. The successful candidate is detail-oriented, comfortable working from travelers and work instructions, and able to produce consistent, high-quality composite work in a fast-paced flight-hardware environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepare metallic COPV liners and bond interfaces for overwrap, including grit blast, hand abrasion, and power abrasion

• Manufacture COPVs by filament winding composite fiber onto liners, including hoop and helical winding patterns, fiber tension, and resin application (wet winding and/or towpreg)

• Set up, operate, and tend filament winding equipment; load liners, verify winding programs, and monitor fiber path, bandwidth, and resin wet-out during the wrap

• Mix, handle, and apply resins and adhesives per process specification, including pot life, mix ratio, and material traceability

• Cure COPV overwraps and bonded assemblies in ovens or autoclaves, including thermocouple placement and process monitoring

• Trim and finish composite and composite-metallic COPV assemblies to drawing requirements

• Assemble COPV hardware, including setup, bonding, and fastener installation at bosses, fittings, and related structure

• Complete basic layouts on parts and assemblies to establish reference points and verify dimensions using calipers, micrometers, precision scales, and torque wrenches

• Follow travelers, work instructions, and standard operating procedures; record work and nonconformances as required

• Maintain FOD control, material traceability, and a clean, organized work area in a high-rate production environment

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate

• 1+ years of experience working with in a manufacturing environment

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience manufacturing composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) or other filament-wound pressure-critical hardware

• Experience operating CNC or programmable filament winding machines

• Experience controlling hoop and helical wind patterns, fiber tension, bandwidth, and resin content

• Experience drilling, reaming, honing, and/or countersinking close-tolerance holes, and installing fasteners with the correct tool for the job (drill motor, power screwdriver, C-squeeze, ratchet wrench, nut runner, rivet gun and bucking bar, etc.)

• Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings, including drawing symbols, flag notes, and general notes

• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions and to work from travelers and SOPs (standard operating procedures)

• Experience with oven or autoclave cure cycles and thermocouple placement

• Experience building flight hardware or other pressure-critical composite structures

• Attention to detail and accuracy while working in a fast-paced production environment

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Standing for long periods, climbing ladders, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, and stretching are generally required to perform the functions of this position

• Must be able to lift and carry up to 25 lbs. unassisted

• Must be able to climb ladders and work in tight spaces around winding equipment, tooling, and vessel hardware

• Must be able to work shift hours (6:00am – 4:30pm Mon – Fri) including overtime, weekends, and holidays based on site operational needs

• Must be able to travel up to 10% of the time

• This role is onsite and is not eligible for remote or hybrid work

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:

Composites Technician/Level 1: $20.00 - $24.50/hour

Composites Technician/Level 2: $23.50 - $29.00/hour

Composites Technician/Level 3: $27.50 - $35.00/hour

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on thefollowing considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at the company. You may also be eligible for long-termincentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionarybonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k)retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and variousother discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or morepaid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies orexceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

the company is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with the company is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of the company’s Aff... [e-mail]*.*