Senior Aerospace Composite Technician - Lead Fabrication

Opterus Research and Development; Loveland (CO); On-site; USD 74,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Disability insurance

Life insurance

AD&D insurance

401K matching

Paid holidays

Career growth

Job summary

Opterus Research and Development is seeking a Senior Composite Technician in Loveland, CO to lead the fabrication, processing, and assembly of advanced composite structures for aerospace applications. This senior, hands-on role requires deep expertise in prepregs, layup, vacuum bagging, cure cycles, and tooling.

The ideal candidate has 7–10+ years in composite manufacturing, strong technical judgment, and the ability to mentor technicians on the production floor in a fast-paced R&D and flight

Qualifications

• 7-10+ years hands-on composite fabrication experience (aerospace preferred).
• Proficiency in prepreg layup, vacuum bagging, debulk/cure cycles, and composite assembly techniques.
• Strong knowledge of composite material systems (prepreg, dry fiber, adhesives, core materials).
• Ability to independently execute complex layups with high precision and low rework.
• Ability to identify material type or condition via handling (e.g., prepreg timing, resin systems).
• Lead troubleshooting, mentor teams, and provide technical direction.
• Understand AS9100 practices, clean-room operation, aerospace quality standards.
• Work from engineering drawings, CAD, and work instructions.
• Fast-paced R&D environment with evolving processes.
• U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Resident due to government contract requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead fabrication and assembly of advanced composite structures with complex layups and tight tolerances.
• Handle prepreg materials: condition, orientation, tack, resin content, process suitability.
• Develop and execute vacuum bagging strategies, cure setups, autoclave/oven cycles.
• Interpret engineering drawings, CAD models, and manufacturing plans with minimal oversight.
• Collaborate with engineering to refine layup schedules and validate new materials.
• Build, maintain, and improve composite tooling (molds, mandrels, fixtures).
• Improve manufacturing docs, work instructions, and quality checkpoints.
• Operate and maintain specialized fabrication equipment (ovens, cutters, metrology, clean room).
• Inspect components (visual, tap test, dimensional) to aerospace standards.
• Assist root cause analysis and corrective actions for fabrication issues.
• Train and mentor Level I-III technicians for craftsmanship and quality.
• Contribute to continuous improvement in tooling, layup methods, material flow.

Skills

Composite fabrication

Prepreg layup

Vacuum bagging

Cure cycles

AS9100 knowledge

Quality inspection

Leadership

Mentoring

CAD/drawings

Clean-room operation

Tools

SolidWorks

Autoclave operation

CNC machining

Metrology

Job description

Opterus Research and Development is seeking a Senior Composite Technician in Loveland, CO to lead the fabrication, processing, and assembly of advanced composite structures for aerospace applications. This senior, hands-on role requires deep expertise in prepregs, layup, vacuum bagging, cure cycles, and tooling.

The ideal candidate has 7–10+ years in composite manufacturing, strong technical judgment, and the ability to mentor technicians on the production floor in a fast-paced R&D and flight