Description
A specialized aerospace composites manufacturing facility in Bristol is looking for a skilled Composite Layup Technician to fabricate the primary airframe structures for our tactical UAVs. Carbon fiber and Kevlar are the bones of our drones, and we need a craftsman who understands the chemistry of resins and the physics of vacuum bagging to produce lightweight, incredibly strong components.
I. Preparing dry reinforcement fabrics (carbon fiber weaves, Kevlar, fiberglass) by precisely cutting patterns using CNC knives or manual templates.
II. Performing meticulous wet layup and vacuum infusion processes, carefully placing plies in specific orientations (0°, ±45°, 90°) inside complex female molds to meet structural engineering specs.
III. Setting up vacuum bagging assemblies, ensuring perfect seal integrity, and monitoring the cure cycle in our autoclaves and conventional ovens according to strict time-temperature profiles.
IV. Executing post-cure demolding, trimming flash, drilling mounting holes, and surface preparation (sanding, priming) for final painting or assembly.
V. Working safely with hazardous chemicals, including epoxy resins, hardeners, acetone, and mold release agents, while maintaining a pristine, dust-free cleanroom environment.
We require at least 1 year of experience in composite manufacturing, ideally in motorsport, marine, or aerospace. You must be comfortable working in full PPE (respirators, coveralls) and possess the patience required for flawless, void-free layups.
We offer a salary of £38,000 GBP per year, with overtime available during peak production sprints. This is a full-time, on-site position in our climate-controlled, ISO-certified cleanroom facility in Bristol. We provide all specialized tooling, consumables, and comprehensive health monitoring.