About this role
Role Overview
Pyka is seeking a seasoned Composite Technician / Composite Prototyper to join our innovative and hands-on team. In this role, you’ll be deeply involved in the full lifecycle of composite aircraft part production — from layup to trimming, assembly, and finishing. You'll collaborate closely with engineers and fabricators to prototype new parts and refine designs for flight readiness.
Responsibilities
- Secondary Processing: You will own the completion of composite components delivered by outside vendors. In this role, you will help establish the initial workflow, scale operations to meet a projected 24-month volume increase, and continuously optimize workstations to maximize efficiency and process flow.
- Component Assembly: Bond, fasten, and assemble composite structures, sub-assemblies, and hardware using blueprints, engineering drawings, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- Material Preparation: Kitting, cutting, and preparing composite materials (carbon fiber, fiberglass, core materials) according to specific ply patterns.
- Lamination & Layup: Perform wet layup lamination processes, ensuring materials are applied to molds without voids or wrinkles.
- Tooling & Preparation: Clean, prep, and apply release agents to molds and assembly fixtures before production.
- Finishing Operations: Use hand and power tools (drills, sanders, grinders) to trim, sand, deburr, and finish cured composite parts to exact specifications.
- Quality Assurance: Inspect finished parts for defects and document quality checks.
- Safety & Maintenance: Maintain a clean, organized work area and strictly adhere to safety protocols, including wearing required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as respirators and safety glasses.
Required Qualifications
- High school diploma, GED, or equivalent trade school certificate.
- Strong hand-eye coordination and comfort working with basic hand and power tools.
- Ability to read and interpret basic mechanical drawings, work instructions, and measurements (or a strong willingness to learn).
- Ability to stand for extended periods, lift up to 50 lbs, and work with chemical resins, adhesives, and dust (with proper PPE).
- Precision-oriented mindset necessary for working with tight tolerances and strict quality standards.
- Dependable, punctual, and able to work collaboratively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Excellent listening and communication skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience in assembly, manufacturing, automotive repair, carpentry, or construction.
- Familiarity with epoxy, resins, gel coats, or body shop fillers.
- Basic understanding of precision measuring instruments (calipers, tape measures).
Compensation and Benefits
- Technician Level I: $29 - 32/hr + equity.
- Technician Level II: $35 - 39/hr + equity.
- Compensation will vary depending on location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Hourly wage ranges are subject to change.
- Employer-sponsored health, dental and vision insurance
- FSA with employer matching
- 401(k)
- Paid holidays, generous PTO, and additional unpaid time off
- Voluntary short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance
- Pre-tax commuter benefits
- Free catered lunch and plenty of snacks
Export Control Requirements
This position requires access to technology, software and other information that is subject to governmental access control restrictions, due to export controls. Employment in this position is conditioned on the continued availability of government authorization to authorize release of such items, to the extent required, including without limitation an export license, or other documentation required to establish authorization to receive access to such items.
Company may delay commencement of employment, rescind an offer of employment, terminate employment, and/or may modify job responsibilities, compensation, benefits, and/or access to Company facilities and information systems, as Company deems appropriate, in order to ensure compliance with applicable government access control restrictions.
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We do not work with external recruiters; if you are an external recruiter, please do not reach out.