Lead Composite Technician

Lead Technician

About Firefly Aerospace

As an end-to-end responsive space company, Firefly Aerospace is on a mission to enable our world to launch, land, and operate in space – anywhere, anytime. Our small- to medium-lift launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles allow us to service the entire lifecycle of government and commercial missions from low Earth orbit to the Moon and beyond. We utilize carbon composite structures, patented propulsion technologies, and common components across our vehicles to iterate quickly, improve reliability, and deliver payloads at a lower cost.

Summary

The lead technician provides technical leadership and hands-on support in the manufacture of advanced composite aerospace structures. This role ensures production activities meet quality, safety, and schedule requirements while coaching and guiding technicians throughout the shift. The lead technician works closely with the shift supervisor, manufacturing engineers, and quality teams to drive execution and continuous improvement within the assigned work cell.

Responsibilities

Review daily production assignments and assign work to technicians, pairing experienced team members with newer employees to foster cross-training.

Verify that all required materials, hardware, and tooling are available to complete the assigned work.

Ensure all work is performed in accordance with established fabrication, inspection, and documentation processes.

Provide on-the-job training and guidance; escalate unresolved issues to the supervisor/manager.

Manage non-conformances: generate NCRs for damaged or incorrect work, notify supervisors and relevant manufacturing engineers, and ensure proper documentation in production tracking systems.

Participate in and organize work center cleanup, including sweeping floors, wiping tables, removing trash/clutter, and protecting sensitive hardware.

Conduct formal handoff of work to the incoming shift.

Manage inventory of area supplies to ensure work does not stop.

Coordinate weekend support coverage with supervisors as needed.

Participate in manufacturing readiness reviews and procedure documentation efforts as assigned by supervisor or manager.

Qualifications

Required

5+ years of hands-on experience in relevant area of composite manufacturing (layup/cure, assembly, finishing, machining).

Demonstrated proficiency in reading and interpreting engineering drawings, process specifications, and manufacturing instructions.

Strong technical troubleshooting skills with composite processes and tooling.

Experience mentoring or training technicians in a production environment.

Availability to work rotating 12-hour shifts (days/nights/weekends/holidays).

Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and work in standing, bending, and kneeling positions for extended periods.

Work performed in a manufacturing environment with PPE requirements (safety glasses, gloves, respirators as needed).

Desired

Prior lead or team coordinator experience in a manufacturing environment.

Familiarity with aerospace quality systems and standards (AS9100, NADCAP).

Experience with out-of-autoclave (OOA), resin infusion, or bonded assembly processes.

Proficiency with data entry systems and willingness to learn.

Firefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental, and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, educational reimbursement, short term disability, and flexible PTO options.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firefly is governed based on merit, competence, and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.