Lead Composite Technician
Firefly Aerospace
Lead Composite Technician
Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company that enables our world to launch, land, and operate in space – anywhere, anytime. As the partner of choice for critical space missions, Firefly is the only commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24-hour notice and the only company to achieve a successful Moon landing. Our launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles provide government and commercial customers with full mission services from low Earth orbit to the Moon and beyond. Headquartered in north Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space.
Come help us build rockets. The Lead Composite Technician is a hands-on leadership role responsible for supporting and guiding composite fabrication activities on the production floor. This position leads daily build execution of primary structures, propellant tanks, and secondary composite hardware from raw fiber through delivery to integration. This role provides technical direction, supports workflow coordination, and ensures quality and schedule adherence while remaining actively engaged in fabrication work.
Location: Briggs, TX (north of Cedar Park)
Must be able to work an alternate work schedule consisting of 12-hour shifts on a 4-days-on / 3-days-off rotation. Schedule flexibility is required based on production needs.
Responsibilities
- Lead daily composite fabrication activities on assigned shift
- Execute and oversee all steps of aerospace-grade composite manufacturing, including:
- Cutting composite materials to tight tolerances
- Surface preparation and bonding operations
- Hand lamination of carbon, glass, Kevlar, adhesives, and core materials
- Vacuum bagging and full cure cycle execution
- Monitoring oven runs and cure compliance
- Interpret engineering drawings, layup instructions, and material data sheets
- Identify scarf back plies (scarfing) and support structural repairs
- Ensure AS9100 material handling and traceability compliance
- Provide floor-level technical guidance and mentorship to technicians
- Support troubleshooting and resolution of manufacturing discrepancies
- Promote shop organization, safety compliance, and PPE adherence
- Drive efficiency and continuous improvement initiatives
Qualifications
Required
- 2+ years of composite manufacturing experience
- Demonstrated mechanical aptitude and strong craftsmanship
- Experience with layup, bonding, vacuum bagging, and cure processes
- Ability to read and interpret composite layup drawings and assembly prints
- Proficient use of pneumatic tools, hand tools, power tools, and precision measurement instruments
- Ability to drill and lay out precision holes
- Experience working with material data sheets
- Ability to provide guidance and support to other technicians
Preferred
- 8+ years of composite manufacturing experience
- Aerospace composite manufacturing experience
- Experience leading teams or serving as shift lead
- Experience troubleshooting complex composite builds
- Experience working in an AS9100 or similarly regulated environment