Lead Composite Technician
Career GuideKey Responsibilities
- Lead daily work assignments and provide hands on technical guidance to composite technicians
- Lay up composite materials using approved work instructions and drawings
- Perform vacuum bagging and curing setups to meet part specifications
- Run and monitor curing equipment and maintain process records
- Trim, drill, sand, and finish composite parts to final tolerances
- Inspect parts for defects and confirm compliance with quality requirements
- Troubleshoot manufacturing issues and implement corrective actions
- Maintain tooling, fixtures, and consumables to support production readiness
- Train new team members and standardize best practices across shifts
- Coordinate with engineering and quality teams on process changes and nonconformance reviews
- Ensure shop safety practices, chemical handling, and clean work area standards are followed
- Track output, rework, scrap, and cycle time to support continuous improvement
Top Skills for Success
Composite Layup
Vacuum Bagging
Curing Process Control
Resin Handling
Tooling Preparation
Trim and Finish Work
Blueprint Reading
Quality Inspection
Defect Identification
Root Cause Analysis
Team Leadership
Safety Compliance
Career Progression
Can Lead To
Senior Composite Technician
Composite Manufacturing Supervisor
Composite Shop Lead
Quality Lead
Production Lead
Transition Opportunities
Composite Manufacturing Engineer
Process Engineer
Quality Engineer
Tooling Engineer
Maintenance Planner
Common Skill Gaps
Often Missing Skills
Process DocumentationStatistical Process ControlNonconformance ManagementCoaching and FeedbackProduction SchedulingERP SystemsLean Manufacturing
Development SuggestionsBuild strength in documentation and quality workflows, practice structured problem solving, and learn basic production planning. Ask to own a small area of the line, track quality and throughput weekly, and partner with quality to close nonconformance reports from start to finish.
Salary & Demand
Median Salary Range
Entry LevelUSD 45,000 to 60,000
Mid LevelUSD 60,000 to 85,000
Senior LevelUSD 85,000 to 115,000
Growth Trend
Steady demand, with stronger hiring in aerospace manufacturing, defense programs, and advanced mobility. Demand also rises near major production ramps and during fleet maintenance cycles.Companies Hiring
Major Employers
BoeingAirbusLockheed MartinNorthrop GrummanSpirit AeroSystemsGulfstream AerospaceRTXGE AerospaceBlue OriginSpaceXGeneral AtomicsTeslaLucid MotorsRivianVestasSiemens Gamesa
Industry Sectors
AerospaceDefenseSpaceAutomotiveWind EnergyMarineSporting GoodsIndustrial Manufacturing
Recommended Next Steps
1
Create a skills matrix for the team and identify two priority training topics for the next 60 days2
Collect a portfolio of completed work including photos, inspection results, and process notes where allowed3
Request cross training on curing equipment setup, process recording, and defect repair methods4
Earn or refresh relevant certifications such as composites training, quality inspection, or safety handling5
Lead a small improvement project focused on reducing rework, improving first pass yield, or shortening cycle time6
Update your resume with measurable outcomes such as scrap reduction, throughput increases, and training hours delivered