Composites Technician

Composite Technician

Ascent Aviation Services is one of the largest aviation maintenance, repair, overhaul, storage and reclamation operations in the world. Our strength comes from our talented and professional employees who excel through teamwork and enthusiasm. Ascent Aviation Services continues to grow and are continually looking for motivated and career-minded aviation professionals who will support our vision and goals.

Join Our Team as a Composite Technician at Ascent Aviation Services! We're looking for a hands-on Composite Technician to support specialized composite repair work at our Tucson location. You'll perform critical repairs on aircraft composite material structural members while maintaining a safe and efficient work environment. Guided by our core values of respect, safety, quality, and results, you'll ensure all work meets FAA regulations, technical data requirements, and Ascent Aviation's high standards.

As a 24/7 operation, we have openings across all shifts, including days, evenings, weekends, and 12-hour schedules. Candidates must be flexible and willing to work any shift based on operational needs. Overtime—both scheduled and unscheduled, including holidays—may also be required.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Research technical data and performs fabrication of plastic aircraft parts, accessories, and trim in accordance with applicable maintenance manuals, FAA regulations, and Ascent Aviation policies and procedures
• Cuts fiberglass, Kevlar, or graphite cloth to size, following templates or blueprints, using cutting machine, scissors, or knife
• Marks identifying information on material and assembles materials in kits for subsequent laminating
• Applies parting agent to mold or bonding fixture
• Impregnates cloth with resins by dipping cloth in solutions, feeding cloth between rollers to impregnating machine, or brushing resin onto cloth
• Applies layers of impregnated cloth or prepreg onto mold or fixture in predetermined ply sequence, and presses cloth to fit contours of mold, smooth surface, and remove air pockets and excess resin using squeegee, scraper, spatula, or roller
• Fits and laps ends of cloth using scissors or knife
• Encases molded laminate in bagging material and bleeder cloth, attaches vacuum bagging apparatus (such as thermocouples, probes, and vacuum connections) to mold or bonding fixture, and exhausts air from vacuum bag to seal laminate for curing; tests seal using leak detector
• Trims, drills, deburrs, grinds, sands, and finishes cured parts to specifications using templates, fixtures, hand tools, and power tools
• Pre-fits and assembles cured parts into assemblies or subassemblies using jigs, fixtures, power tools, and fasteners such as rivets and bolts
• Performs cold/hot metal bonding
• Applies adhesives to surface of assembled parts for bonding in autoclave

Marginal Job Functions:

• Ensures proper documentation is made on training records for training received, signed by Lead, Supervisor, or Manager
• Performs maintenance duties away from the base on temporary duty
• Performs maintenance work such as repair and maintenance of company equipment and shop housekeeping
• Ensures all work is performed safely and directs activities to protect employees and maintain safe working conditions

You Will Get More Than Just Compensation:

• 401K with company match
• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
• PTO - Eligible for 3 Weeks in your First Year, in Addition to 7 Paid Company Holidays
• Company-Provided Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and Life Insurance
• Development and Career Growth Opportunities

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Strong organizational and planning skills with a focus on meeting deadlines
• Attention to detail and solid mathematical proficiency
• Proficient in reading, writing, and understanding the English language
• Capable of following both verbal and written instructions accurately
• Skilled in interpreting and applying technical data relevant to the role
• Safe and confident operation of standard shift vehicles and applicable equipment
• Comfortable working independently or with minimal supervision

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Post-secondary education or training in composites, or an equivalent combination of education, training, or experience required
• Three to five years of composite or structures work experience preferred
• Airframe ("A") License preferred
• Current valid Arizona driver's license with a clear driving record for the past three years required

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time.
• Frequent bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, kneeling, balancing, and reaching above shoulder level.
• Occasional crawling, climbing, lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling up to 50 lbs. unassisted.
• Requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity.
• Corrected vision and hearing to normal range.

Equipment Operated:

• Protective equipment required: Goggles, safety glasses, face shields, ear protection, apron, gloves, safety harness, breathing equipment.

Working Conditions:

• The work location will include aircraft maintenance hangars, flightline, and Avionics shop.
• Potential hazards include exposure to high intensity noise levels, extreme changes in temperature, electrical charges and radar waves, materials identified on the Safety Data Sheets, and working around moving machinery.

Other Duties:

• May be required to work at both Marana, AZ and Tucson, AZ locations as business needs dictate.
• Duties not listed within the position description may be required of the employee at the discretion of the department management. Job functions may vary due to irregular working conditions.

SMS Requirements:

• Employees are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with company policies and government regulations. These rules are written in the interest of preserving the lives and the resources entrusted to each employee, and when the rules are violated, the risk of a mishap is usually increased.
• Employees shall participate in safety education programs and train to recognize hazards on the job and how to report them promptly. As a condition of employment, each member of Ascent Aviation agrees to report errors, incidents, and accidents honestly.
• An employee who observes an unsafe action or condition should bring it to the attention of supervisors and managers. Certain conditions may allow the employee to easily correct or condition a situation.

Ascent Aviation Services is dedicated to fostering an inclusive work environment. We provide equal employment opportunities and are committed to making reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of their job.

If you require any accommodation during the application or interview process, please let us know. EEO/AA/F/M/VET/DIS