Towpreg Manufacturing Lead

Blackwave; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Blackwave invites applications for the Towpreg Manufacturing Lead position in Texas to build and lead the towpreg team on-site. You will recruit, train, and mentor operators to run machines, ensuring readiness and timely issue resolution with guidance from engineers in Germany.

Expect to establish the first Texas towpreg machine, maintain production plans and quality standards, and drive continuous improvement on the shop floor with a hands-on leadership approach.

Qualifications

• Technical education in manufacturing or related field.
• Experience managing and developing a team.
• Background in aerospace/defense/electronics manufacturing, or chemical lab, is a plus.
• English fluent; German or Spanish a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead on-site production operations and workflows.
• Ensure compliance with production plans, work instructions, and quality requirements.
• Monitor and improve production performance, efficiency, and output.
• Identify deviations, root causes, and implement corrective actions.
• Coordinate closely with engineering, quality, logistics, and operations teams.
• Train, guide, and support production staff on-site.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of processes, layouts, and workflows.
• Support introduction of new processes, materials, or production methods.

Skills

Manufacturing leadership

Quality documentation

Composite experience

Mechatronics

Shop floor leadership

Process improvement

Safety standards

Education

Technical education or vocational training

Aerospace/defense/electronics manufacturing or chemical lab background (plus)

Job description

About Blackwave

Blackwave designs, manufactures and ships flight-qualified, commercial off-the-shelf composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) for launch vehicles and satellites. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Munich, Germany, the company delivers COPVs from a standardized portfolio with flight heritage. The approach reduces lead time from months to days while ensuring that each tank is qualified and flight‑ready. Blackwave's mission is to end COPV failure in spaceflight. The company employs more than 150 people across manufacturing facilities in Germany and Texas.

More information at Blackwave.com and the procurement platform COPV.com.

Role Mission

The Towpreg Manufacturing Lead will lead the towpreg team in Texas, building and training a team of operators to run the machines. It's important that the lead can learn new, modern machines quickly and is available to identify issues and resolve them independently, escalating the rest to the responsible engineer.

Expected Outcomes

• Support the setup of the first towpreg machine in Texas, with support from our Team Lead and engineers from Germany
• Build and lead a team of operators who work with the towpreg machine
• Train the team in manufacturing towpreg and instill a quality and measurement mindset in their team members
• Provide team members with clear work instructions
• Identify opportunities for improvement and implement them together with the assigned engineer

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee on-site production operations and workflows
• Ensure compliance with production plans, work instructions, and quality requirements
• Monitor and improve production performance, efficiency, and output
• Identify deviations, root causes, and implement corrective actions
• Coordinate closely with engineering, quality, logistics, and operations teams
• Ensure proper use, setup, and maintenance of production equipment
• Enforce safety, cleanliness, and workplace standards
• Train, guide, and support production staff on-site
• Contribute to continuous improvement of processes, layouts, and workflows
• Support introduction of new processes, materials, or production methods

Competencies

Technical Know-How

• Able to develop and implement standard operating procedures
• Significant experience leading manufacturing teams
• Familiar with quality documentation, standards, and industry best practices
• Composite experience
• Solid understanding of technical systems and concepts
• Solid understanding of mechatronics systems
• Can work with modern machines (involving computers)

Leadership and Professional Skills

• Hands-on leadership approach with strong presence on the shop floor
• Structured, reliable, and solution-oriented working style
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage daily operational challenges
• Strong communication and coordination skills
• Ability to lead by example in an on-site environment

Culture Add and Attitude

• Hands-on
• Flexible to work in a fast-moving environment
• Experience leading and developing a team
• Willing to independently implement process improvement
• Self-starter - does not need constant supervision to perform the role
• Team player with strong communication skills
• Problem solver

Required Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Technical education, vocational training, or relevant experience in a manufacturing setting
• Prior experience managing and developing a team
• Background in aerospace, defense, or electronics manufacturing, or a chemical lab, is a plus

Language Skills

• English is required (fluent)
• German is a plus
• Spanish is a plus

Work Model

• On-site work is mandatory, first shift
• In August 2026, Blackwave will relocate to a new site in the Port San Antonio aerospace hub

Equal Opportunity Employer

Blackwave Texas Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected characteristics under applicable law.

ITAR Requirement

This position requires eligibility under U.S. export regulations (ITAR). Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, or otherwise authorized to access export-controlled information.

Additional note

For this U.S.-based role, your application may be managed by our global People Team in Germany.