Press Production Lead

Innovative Composite Engineering; White Salmon (WA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

4/10 Schedule

Bonus Eligible

Medical, Dental, Vision Coverage

401(k) Program

Paid Time Off

Career Growth in a High-Tech Aerospace

Job summary

Applied Aerospace & Defense seeks a Lead Composite Technician to drive daily production on the floor, mentor teams, and ensure quality per procedures. You’ll coordinate workflows, support continuous improvement, and act as a hands‑on resource across multiple work centers.

The role requires 3–5 years in a manufacturing/aerospace setting, with leadership experience and a focus on safety and process adherence. Exciting opportunity in a high‑tech environment near the Gorge.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of progressive leadership experience in a manufacturing, aerospace, or composite‑production environment.

Responsibilities

• Leads and coordinates daily composite production activities on the floor.
• Acts as working lead ensuring work instructions are followed and quality standards met.
• Escalates higher‑level concerns to supervisors/managers as needed.
• Trains, mentors, coaches and provides technical guidance to team members.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Problem solving

Following instructions

Independent working

Multi-tasking

Team leadership

Computer literacy

Safety compliance

Stability on feet

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Lean manufacturing experience

Technical school/college instruction

Tools

None

Job description

Description

Applied Aerospace & Defense Job Description

Precision. Pride. Performance.

Built in the Gorge. Flown Around the World.

About Us

At Applied Aerospace and Defense, we combine cutting‑edge technology with craftsmanship and creativity — all set against the stunning backdrop of the Columbia River Gorge. From concept to production, our advanced composite components are built right here and used around the world in aerospace, defense, and beyond.

Primary Purpose Of Position

Leads and coordinates daily composite production activities while serving as a working lead on the floor. This role performs hands‑on composite technician duties, supports team members with troubleshooting and problem resolution, and ensures work is completed accurately according to work instructions. The Lead acts as the primary production‑level point of escalation and routes higher‑level concerns, personnel issues, or operational barriers directly to the Production Supervisor, manufacturing manager, or Operations Manager.

Essential Functions

• Leads and supports a diverse work group to complete assigned work orders safely, efficiently, and on schedule
• Coordinates daily production floor activities and assists in maintaining workflow to meet production goals.
• Communicates scheduling needs, order priorities, due dates, and material concerns to supervisors and management.
• Supports and promotes continuous improvement initiatives, quality standards, and operational efficiencies.
• Serves as a communication link between day and night shift personnel to ensure smooth transitions and continuity of work.
• Takes ownership of assigned shift activities and helps ensure production requirements are met.
• Collaborates with management, engineering, quality, and production personnel to resolve issues and support timely customer delivery.
• Performs Composite Technician duties across multiple work centers and leads by example through hands‑on participation.
• Assists in coordinating production workloads, personnel assignments, outside machining requirements, and shipping priorities.
• Provides on‑the‑job training, mentoring, coaching, and technical guidance to team members in accordance with company policies and procedures.
• Assists with onboarding and training of new employees and provides feedback regarding employee performance and development.
• Encourages accountability, teamwork, continuous improvement, and adherence to company policies, procedures, and safety requirements.
• Facilitates shift huddles, production meetings, and team communications as directed.
• Maintains professionalism under pressure, effectively manages competing priorities, and fosters positive working relationships throughout the organization.
• Identifies production issues, recommends corrective actions, and escalates concerns when necessary to support operational success.
• Demonstrates proficiency in composite layups and a strong working knowledge of all AA&D production processes.
• Follows work instructions precisely and trains team members to do the same, ensuring consistency, quality, and adherence to standards.
• Provides hands‑on problem‑solving support on the production floor by helping identify root causes, troubleshooting issues, and guiding team members toward effective solutions.
• Assists the Operations Manager by escalating equipment concerns, workflow disruptions, or quality challenges that require management‑level intervention.
• Serves as a technical resource for composite processing, sharing expertise and reinforcing proper methods and best practices across the team.

Preferred Knowledge, Skill And, Ability To

• 3–5 years of progressive leadership experience in a manufacturing, aerospace, or composite‑production environment.
• Demonstrated experience training, mentoring, and coaching employees in composite layup or related production processes.
• Strong problem‑solving capabilities with the ability to support and guide team members through technical challenges.
• Work per detailed instructions and quality standards
• Work independently as a self starter and self manager
• Multi‑task in a results‑oriented environment
• Provide leadership and require accountability of crew
• Proficient in computer operations
• Follow and require employees to adhere to safety regulations
• Stand/work on feet for entire shift

Preferred Education/Experience

• High School Diploma or GED required
• Experience in a lean manufacturing environment preferred
• Experience may include a combination of technical school, college instruction and/or work experience.

Reporting

• Direct report to Manufacturing Operation Manager
• Works directly with other employees in a team environment
• Work with engineering, management and production crew for problem solving and production improvements

Why Join Applied Aerospace?

• 4/10 Schedule
• Competitive Compensation
• Bonus Eligible
• Medical, Dental, Vision Coverage
• 401(k) Program
• Paid Time Off
• Career Growth in a High-Tech Aerospace Environment
• Work Where Others Vacation – Columbia River Gorge Lifestyle

Working Conditions

This position includes the ability to perform those activities to complete the essential functions of the job, either with or without reasonable accommodation. The position includes continuous standing and/or frequent talking, repetitive motions of hand/wrists, hearing and handling. Mental activities performed by the employee in this position include decision making, interpersonal skills, supervisory skills, teamwork, creativity, customer service, mentoring, use of discretion, presentations/teaching, problem analysis, negotiation, and the ability to perform math and to read, write, speak and understand English. Physical activities may include standing, walking, stooping, twisting, climbing, balancing, kneeling, bending, crawling, reaching, grasping, fingering, repetitive motions of hands and wrists, sitting, hearing and lifting/pushing/pulling or carrying objects up to 50 pounds. Work is primarily indoors in a clean manufacturing facility.

Any combination of the experience, education, training and requirements listed above which provides an equivalent background to perform the work of this position may be considered by management.

Additional Information

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required. Employees may be required to perform other job‑related duties as assigned, consistent with business needs and applicable law.

Due to the nature of our work and applicable U.S. export control laws, this position requires International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) eligibility. Only individuals who qualify as a “U.S. person” as defined by ITAR (U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, refugees, or asylees), unless specified otherwise within job description, are eligible for employment.

Applied Aerospace & Defense (“AA&D”) is committed to equal employment opportunity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Applicants who require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to disability, medical condition, or other protected reason may contact the Human Resources Department. Requests will be reviewed in accordance with applicable law.

Where required by law, the applicable pay range and a summary of benefits and other compensation for this position will be provided.