Lead Composite Technician

firefly; Town of Texas (WI); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is seeking a Lead Composite Technician to lead daily aerospace-grade fabrication on the production floor.

You will guide composite layup, bonding, vacuum bagging, and cure processes, read engineering drawings, and mentor technicians while maintaining quality and schedule. Based in Briggs, TX, the role requires 8+ years in composite manufacturing, experience leading shifts, and a 12-hour 4-on/3-off schedule.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of composite manufacturing experience.
• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude and strong craftsmanship.
• Experience with layup, bonding, vacuum bagging, and cure processes.
• Ability to read and interpret composite layup drawings and assembly prints.
• Proficient use of pneumatic tools, hand tools, power tools, and precision measurement instruments.
• Ability to drill and lay out precision holes.
• Experience working with material data sheets.
• Ability to provide guidance and support to other technicians.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily composite fabrication activities on assigned shift.
• Execute and oversee all steps of aerospace-grade composite manufacturing, including cutting materials, surface preparation, bonding, lamination, and cure.
• Interpret engineering drawings, layup instructions, and material data sheets.
• Identify scarf back plies and support structural repairs.
• Ensure AS9100 material handling and traceability compliance.
• Provide floor-level technical guidance and mentorship to technicians.
• Support troubleshooting and resolution of manufacturing discrepancies.
• Promote shop organization, safety compliance, and PPE adherence.
• Drive efficiency and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Composite fabrication

Mechanical aptitude

Layup & cure processes

Drawings & prints

Tools & measurement

Hole layout

Material data sheets

Team guidance

Job description

SUMMARY

Come help us build rockets. The Lead Composite Technician is a hands‑on leadership role responsible for supporting and guiding composite fabrication activities on the production floor. This position leads daily build execution of primary structures, propellant tanks, and secondary composite hardware from raw fiber through delivery to integration. This role provides technical direction, supports workflow coordination, and ensures quality and schedule adherence while remaining actively engaged in fabrication work.

Location: Briggs, TX (north of Cedar Park)

SCHEDULE REQUIREMENT

Must be able to work an alternate work schedule consisting of 12-hour shifts on a 4-days-on / 3-days-off rotation. Schedule flexibility is required based on production needs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead daily composite fabrication activities on assigned shift


• Execute and oversee all steps of aerospace‑grade composite manufacturing, including:
  
  
  
  • Cutting composite materials to tight tolerances
  
  
  • Surface preparation and bonding operations
  
  
  • Hand lamination of carbon, glass, Kevlar, adhesives, and core materials
  
  
  • Vacuum bagging and full cure cycle execution
  
  
  • Monitoring oven runs and cure compliance
  
  
  
  


• Interpret engineering drawings, layup instructions, and material data sheets


• Identify scarf back plies (scarfing) and support structural repairs


• Ensure AS9100 material handling and traceability compliance


• Provide floor‑level technical guidance and mentorship to technicians


• Support troubleshooting and resolution of manufacturing discrepancies


• Promote shop organization, safety compliance, and PPE adherence


• Drive efficiency and continuous improvement initiatives

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• 8+ years of composite manufacturing experience


• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude and strong craftsmanship


• Experience with layup, bonding, vacuum bagging, and cure processes


• Ability to read and interpret composite layup drawings and assembly prints


• Proficient use of pneumatic tools, hand tools, power tools, and precision measurement instruments


• Ability to drill and lay out precision holes


• Experience working with material data sheets


• Ability to provide guidance and support to other technicians

Preferred

• 10+ years of composite manufacturing experience


• Aerospace composite manufacturing experience


• Experience leading teams or serving as shift lead


• Experience troubleshooting complex composite builds


• Experience working in an AS9100 or similarly regulated environment

Firefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, educational reimbursement, short term disability, pet Insurance, and flexible PTO options.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firefly is governed based on 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 pro