Composites TechnicianSimi Valley, California, United StatesALTEN Technology USA is an engineering company helping clients bring groundbreaking ideas to life—from advancing space exploration and life-saving medical devices to building autonomous electric vehicles. With 3,000+ experts across North America, we partner with leading companies in aerospace, medical devices, robotics, automotive, commercial vehicles, EVs, rail, and more.As part of the global ALTEN Group—57,000+ engineers in 30 countries—we deliver across the entire product development cycle, from consulting to full project outsourcing.When you join ALTEN Technology USA, you'll collaborate on some of the world's toughest engineering challenges, supported by mentorship, career growth opportunities, and comprehensive benefits. We take pride in fostering a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow.Workplace: On-site, 5 days per week Location: Simi Valley, CAThe Composites Technician supports the fabrication, bonding, and assembly of composite airframe structures for next generation unmanned aircraft systems.
This role sits at the intersection of prototype build and production ramp, contributing to layup, cure, trim, and bonded assembly operations for a new aircraft program as it transitions from development builds into low rate initial production.ResponsibilitiesPerforms hand layup operations including wet layup, prepreg, and out of autoclave processes for airframe structures, fairings, wing skins, spars, and control surfacesCuts, kits, and stages composite materials per ply schedules, layup books, and engineering drawingsBuilds and debulks laminate stacks, applies vacuum bagging systems, and verifies bag integrity prior to cureRuns autoclave and oven cure cycles, monitors thermocouple and vacuum data, and documents cure records for traceabilityPerforms demold, trim, drill, and sand operations on cured parts using composite specific tooling and equipmentExecutes bonded assembly operations using aerospace grade adhesives including co cure, co bond, and secondary bondingFabricates and maintains composite tooling including molds, mandrels, caul plates, and layup fixturesPerforms dimensional inspection and basic non destructive inspection including visual, tap test, and coupon verificationIdentifies and documents defects such as porosity, delamination, resin starvation, and fiber wrinkling, and performs approved rework and repairManages freezer and out time tracking for prepreg and adhesive materials in accordance with material specificationsWorks directly with manufacturing and design engineering to red line work instructions, improve layup techniques, and resolve build issues on the floorSupports first article builds and process qualification activities as the program moves toward rate productionMaintains a clean, safe, and organized composite fabrication area including clean room discipline and PPE complianceOther duties as assignedRequired QualificationsHigh School diploma or GED equivalent, or equivalent certificate from a technical or trade school3+ years of hands on composite fabrication experience in an aerospace, defense, motorsports, or marine environmentDemonstrated proficiency with wet layup and prepreg layup methodsWorking knowledge of vacuum bagging, debulking, and cure cycle executionExperience with composite bonding and secondary assembly using structural adhesivesAbility to read and interpret engineering drawings, ply schedules, and work instructionsProficiency with composite trimming, drilling, and finishing equipmentFamiliarity with material handling requirements for prepreg and adhesive systems including out time and freezer controlComfortable using hand tools, power tools, and basic shop equipmentAbility to lift up to 40 lbs and work standing for extended periodsMust be a U.S. Person as defined by ITARPeriods of development may require long irregular hours around deadlines, including occasional weekends to support program milestonesPreferred QualificationsComposite fabrication or bonding certifications, or completion of a formal composites training program, is desiredExperience supporting an LRIP to rate production transition is strongly desiredFamiliarity with AS9100, Nadcap, or equivalent aerospace quality systems is desiredExposure to NDI methods such as ultrasonic or thermography inspection is desiredExperience with composite tooling fabrication and mold maintenance is desiredFamiliarity with unmanned aircraft, R/C aircraft, or lightweight airframe structures is a plusBasic proficiency with Microsoft Office and shop floor documentation systemsExcels in a fast paced, deadline driven environment where small teams share a broad variety of dutiesTakes ownership of quality and consistency on parts that go directly into flight hardwareSalary Range$80,000 - 90,000 The actual salary offered is dependent on various factors including, but not limited to, location, the candidate's combination of job-related knowledge, qualifications, skills, education, training, and experienceAll qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, genetic information, or pregnancy.Compliance Notice: Alten USA is a federal contractor subject to the requirements of the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and Executive Order 11246. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.Drug Screening Requirement: As a federal contractor, Alten USA maintains a drug-free workplace.
All candidates selected for employment will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of hire.