Composite Technician
Title: Composite Tech
Company: Heven AeroTech
Location: Winchester, Virginia
FLSA: Non-Exempt
About Our Company:
At Heven AeroTech (Heven), we don’t just believe in the power of people—we build our success on it. As a recognized leader in hydrogen-powered drones, we’ve earned recognition for creating a workplace where innovation thrives, collaboration is second nature, and every employee feels valued. Our culture is anchored in trust and a shared commitment to excellence.
We believe great teams are built on individuals who are humble, hungry, and smart—those who put team success first, take initiative to continuously improve, and demonstrate strong interpersonal awareness. At Heven, your voice matters, your ideas are heard, and your contributions make a tangible impact as you grow through hands-on experience and collaboration across the team.
Role Summary:
We are seeking a Composite Technician to perform complex and advanced fabrication and assembly of detailed parts, subassemblies, and final airframe assemblies in a manufacturing environment as well as on production aircraft. This includes adhesive bonded assemblies of metallic and nonmetallic composite materials.
In addition to composite fabrication, this position will be flexible to perform other aircraft manufacturing duties as required — including composite layup, painting, trim and drill, tool movement, and working interdepartmentally to ensure product delivery. The level of work performed is moderately advanced to complex, requiring craft-level skill and experience with an understanding of aerospace manufacturing principles.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Composite Fabrication & Assembly
- Perform complex and advanced fabrication and assembly of detailed composite parts, subassemblies, and final airframe assemblies
- Execute composite layup using wet layup, prepreg, and vacuum bagging techniques with carbon fiber, fiberglass, and Kevlar
- Perform resin infusion processes (VARTM, RTM) per engineering process specifications
- Produce adhesive bonded assemblies of metallic and nonmetallic composite materials
- Handle, mix, and apply various epoxy resin materials and systems following MSDS requirements
- Operate and monitor autoclave and oven cure cycles; pull and manage prepreg materials from freezer storage as required
- Demold, trim, sand, drill, and finish cured composite parts to engineering tolerances
Qualifications & Experience:
Required:
- Associate's degree or two-year college certificate in any technical, industrial, or applied science discipline also accepted
- General knowledge of hand tools and basic mechanical aptitude
- Ability to use precision measurement devices
- Ability to read blueprints and engineering drawings
- Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions
- Familiarity with blueprint reading and basic GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing) concepts
- Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen, Lawful Permanent Resident, Refugee, or Asylee) per ITAR/EAR export control regulations
Preferred:
- Demonstrated proficiency in composite fabrication processes including prepreg layup, vacuum bagging, autoclave/oven cure cycles, honeycomb core handling, and structural bonding with film and paste adhesives (e.g., FM-73, Redux 312, EA9394).
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, BOMs, assembly travelers, and work instructions.
- Strong working knowledge of quality control methods, non-conformance documentation, and inspection techniques applicable to composite and electromechanical assemblies.
- Experience with ERP/MRP systems for work order management and parts tracking (Aligni or equivalent).
- Demonstrated ability to lead small teams in a fast-paced, production-rate environment with high accountability for quality and schedule.
- Excellent verbal communication and written documentation skills.
- Background in UAS, aerospace, or defense manufacturing environments.
- Familiarity with hydrogen propulsion systems, VTOL platforms, or high-reliability electronic/electromechanical assemblies.
- Experience with flight-critical composite structures and associated process controls.
- Knowledge of AS9100 quality management systems or experience in an AS9100-certified facility.
- Eligibility to obtain a DOD Secret clearance.
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to work in a manufacturing environment and wear proper PPE throughout the shift
- Consistently stand, stoop, crawl, bend, crouch, climb, and kneel during production activities
- Lift and carry up to 50 lbs; comfortable handling composite materials, tooling, and assemblies
- Comfortable working with resins, solvents, and other chemical compounds with appropriate PPE
- May be required to support extended hours based on program schedule demands
- Work onsite full-time; this role is not eligible for remote or hybrid arrangements
Benefits Overview:
Heven AeroTech offers a competitive benefits package designed to support the health, financial security, and overall well-being of our employees and their families. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement plans, paid time off/sick, and additional protections such as critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident coverage, and short- and long-term disability.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Heven AeroTech is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.