Composite Technician

Composite materials are all around us and increasing in popularity every day. Composites are products that are engineered from at least two materials. They are building supplies—such as decking and countertop materials—fabric, metal, plastic, and wood, which are combined and put to use. Fiberglass, concrete, graphite, and bricks are a few examples. By combining the dominant qualities of two or more materials, we develop products that are stronger, resist bacteria, wear well, weigh less, or are more environmentally friendly.

Composite Technicians are charged with shaping, cutting, assembling, maintaining, and making repairs to these composite materials. If you’re a Composite Technician, you take precise measurements, test structural soundness, and confirm that the product meets specification requirements.

Composites are used in nearly every industry. So as a Composite Technician, you might run thread around a spool, press layers of laminate flooring together, or work on the wing of a plane. You might work in the fields of medicine, construction, sports, manufacturing, transportation, wind energy, marine, or aerospace.

Each of these jobs requires a special set of skills and an understanding of specific tools. You need to be able to read and understand blueprints, and then apply the information you find to the product. You also need to understand the fabrication process, have an eye for detail, and take pride in producing a quality product. Your tools include saws, drills, calipers, scales, and files.