Composite Manufacturing Technician - Advanced Composites Production
El Segundo, CA | On-site
Opportunity Summary
Join an early-stage advanced manufacturing company scaling a new approach to producing high-performance composite hardware for aerospace, defense, and other demanding applications. As a Composite Manufacturing Technician, you will work directly on the production floor preparing tooling and materials, supporting molding operations, monitoring manufacturing processes, and inspecting completed parts. This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys working with physical hardware and wants to build deeper expertise in composite manufacturing as production scales.
About Us
We are a venture-backed advanced manufacturing startup developing faster, more scalable methods for producing complex composite structures. The team is moving from process development into higher-volume production, creating opportunities for manufacturing technicians to work closely with engineers, contribute to process improvements, and take on increasing ownership as the operation grows.
Job Duties
Prepare molds, tooling, materials, and equipment for composite manufacturing operations
Build composite layups, preforms, and other material configurations according to production requirements
Load and operate molding equipment, hydraulic presses, ovens, and related manufacturing systems
Monitor molding cycles, temperatures, pressures, timing, and other process parameters
Handle composite materials safely and consistently throughout the manufacturing process
Perform visual inspections, dimensional checks, and basic quality verification on completed hardware
Document production results, process conditions, defects, and manufacturing observations
Escalate equipment, tooling, material, or process issues when additional engineering support is required
Support equipment troubleshooting, tooling upkeep, and preventive maintenance activities
Follow manufacturing procedures, safety requirements, and standard operating practices
Work closely with manufacturing and engineering teams to improve repeatability, quality, and production efficiency
Qualifications
5+ years of experience in composites, molding, plastics manufacturing, or a relevant technical trade environment
Hands-on experience operating compression molding, resin transfer molding, or comparable manufacturing equipment
Experience producing composite layups, preforms, or molded composite components
Comfortable preparing, loading, and handling molds, tooling, and composite materials
Ability to accurately monitor and document manufacturing process parameters
Experience performing basic inspection and quality checks on manufactured components
Comfortable working around hydraulic presses, industrial ovens, molds, and other heavy production equipment
Strong attention to detail and commitment to safe, repeatable manufacturing practices
Clear written and verbal communication skills
Ability to lift up to 40 pounds
Must meet U.S. Person requirements under applicable export control regulations
Preferred Experience
Aerospace or defense manufacturing experience
Exposure to composite process development or production scale-up
Experience troubleshooting manufacturing equipment or supporting preventive maintenance
Machine shop or general fabrication experience
Familiarity with manufacturing travelers, work instructions, standard operating procedures, or similar documentation
Forklift certification or previous forklift operating experience
Interest in developing broader skills across tooling, mold maintenance, materials, manufacturing processes, and production operations
Experience mentoring technicians or taking informal leadership responsibility on the production floor
Why Join Us
Work directly on advanced composite hardware used in demanding aerospace and defense applications
Join an early-stage manufacturing organization where technicians can have a visible impact on production processes
Opportunity to grow into greater technical ownership or manufacturing leadership responsibilities
Collaborate directly with engineers on process development and manufacturing improvements
Stock options
Paid vacation and sick time
Paid company holidays and additional company days off
Daily company-provided lunches
401(k) with employer matching
Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
Compensation Details
$30 - $50/hr
#LI-AV
Numbers & Facts
Location
Hawthorne, CA
Salary
$30–$50 Per Hour
Skills
Aerospace and Defenseunmatched
Applications Securityunmatched
Communication Skillsunmatched
Composite Materialsunmatched
Compression Moldingunmatched
Detail Orientedunmatched
Disability Insuranceunmatched
Documentationunmatched
Forkliftunmatched
Heavy Equipment/Vehiclesunmatched
Hydraulic Engineeringunmatched
Identify Issuesunmatched
Leadershipunmatched
Life Insuranceunmatched
Lift/Move 40 Poundsunmatched
Machine Toolunmatched
Machiningunmatched
Manufacturingunmatched
Manufacturing Equipmentunmatched
Manufacturing Operationsunmatched
Manufacturing Systemsunmatched
Manufacturing/Industrial Processesunmatched
Mentoringunmatched
Molding Processesunmatched
Operational Supportunmatched
Operations Processesunmatched
Performance Managementunmatched
Plastics Manufacturingunmatched
Presentation/Verbal Skillsunmatched
Preventative Maintenanceunmatched
Process Developmentunmatched
Process Improvementunmatched
Process Manufacturingunmatched
Production Volumeunmatched
Quality Managementunmatched
Resinunmatched
Safety Processunmatched
Safety Standardsunmatched
Safety Trainingunmatched
Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)unmatched
Startupunmatched
Writing Skillsunmatched
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