Hire Composite Technicians

Time to shortlist is typically 2 weeks from scoping call. Total time to placement (shortlist through offer acceptance) is typically 3–4 weeks for direct hire; contract technicians can often start sooner once ITAR status and any drug-screen or background steps clear. Technicians on active programs usually give 2 weeks’ notice; we manage timing around your cure schedule.

Market bands for US aerospace Composite Technicians generally run $45K–$62K base for Technician I/II, $58K–$80K for Technician III and senior layup, AFP or bonding seats, and $75K–$95K for lead technicians, with shift differentials and overtime on top. Launch-vehicle programs and high-cost metros run at the upper end. See our aerospace trades salary guide for adjacent bands; we confirm live market bands during scoping.

Yes. Composite Technicians are available on direct hire, contract and temp-to-hire. Contract and temp-to-hire run through our Recruiting Support model — we recruit and vet, you direct the work, and conversion terms are set up front. Ask us for the markup structure in writing on the scoping call.

A Composite Technician makes the laminate: layup, bagging, cure, trim and bond. An Aerospace Assembler takes cured and metallic parts and builds the structure — drilling, fastening, sealing and installing systems. Many space and airframe factories cross-train between the two, and lead composite technicians often move into assembly or manufacturing engineering; we scope by process, not label.

No. Completion of a composites program, prior shop certifications in layup, bonding or autoclave operation, and NDI familiarity are strong signals and we verify them when claimed, but reference-verified layup history and cure discipline outweigh credentials. ITAR U.S.-person status is a hard requirement on most of this work and we confirm it before introduction.

Yes. Autoclaves and AFP cells run around the clock at most launch and airframe plants, and we screen every candidate for the specific shift pattern — including 12-hour weekend and rotating schedules — before they are introduced. Shift differential expectations are aligned during scoping.

Yes. Every Composite Technician direct-hire placement carries a replacement guarantee. Contract engagements carry their own replacement terms. Guarantee terms are confirmed in writing at engagement start.

Yes. Standing up a layup crew for a new fairing line, adding a 3rd shift to keep autoclaves loaded, or filling a crew under a Production Supervisor routes through embedded recruiting or RPO so the whole crew lands on one timeline. Contract and temp-to-hire options are available — ask on the call.