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Automated Fiber Placement Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Composites Manufacturing Engineer III

TX ยท On-site

$71K - $92K/yr

Automated Fiber Placement experience * Quick-turn custom composite tooling design and fabrication * Six Sigma or Lean manufacturing Black Belt certification Firefly offers outstanding benefits for ...

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Automated Fiber Placement information

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$15

$27

$45

How much do automated fiber placement jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for automated fiber placement in the United States is $27.80, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.63 and $31.49 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) technicians, and how can they be addressed on the job?

AFP technicians often encounter challenges such as maintaining precise fiber alignment, troubleshooting machine errors, and adapting to new composite material specifications. Successful technicians pay close attention to detail, follow strict safety and quality protocols, and collaborate closely with engineers and quality assurance teams to resolve issues quickly. Staying updated with the latest AFP technology and participating in ongoing training can also help address these challenges and improve overall efficiency on the production floor.

What is Automated Fiber Placement?

Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) is an advanced manufacturing process used in the aerospace, automotive, and wind energy industries to produce strong, lightweight composite structures. The process involves the precise placement of fiber tapes, such as carbon or glass fiber, onto a mold using a computer-controlled machine. This allows for high-speed, accurate layup of complex shapes with minimal material waste and enhanced structural performance. AFP is highly valued for its ability to automate the production of large composite parts and reduce labor costs while improving consistency and quality.

What is the difference between Automated Fiber Placement vs Composite Manufacturing Technician?

AspectAutomated Fiber PlacementComposite Manufacturing Technician
CredentialsTechnical certifications, specialized training in automationTechnical training, certifications in composite fabrication
Work EnvironmentManufacturing facilities with advanced automation equipmentWorkshops, production lines, composite fabrication labs
Industry UsagePrimarily aerospace, defense, and high-tech manufacturingVarious industries including aerospace, automotive, sports equipment

Automated Fiber Placement involves operating advanced robotic systems to lay composite materials precisely, often requiring specialized automation training. In contrast, Composite Manufacturing Technicians focus on manual or semi-automated fabrication of composite parts. While both roles work within the composite manufacturing industry, Automated Fiber Placement specialists typically work with automated machinery, whereas technicians handle broader fabrication tasks.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Automated Fiber Placement Technician, and why are they important?

To excel as an Automated Fiber Placement Technician, you need a solid background in composite materials, mechanical aptitude, and precision manufacturing, often supported by vocational training or an associate degree in engineering or manufacturing technology. Familiarity with automated fiber placement (AFP) machines, CAD/CAM software, and quality assurance systems is crucial. Attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and effective teamwork are standout soft skills in this role. These skills ensure high-quality composite fabrication, minimize production errors, and support efficient collaboration in advanced manufacturing environments.
More about Automated Fiber Placement jobs
What cities are hiring for Automated Fiber Placement jobs? Cities with the most Automated Fiber Placement job openings:
What states have the most Automated Fiber Placement jobs? States with the most job openings for Automated Fiber Placement jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Automated Fiber Placement jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Automated Fiber Placement jobs are:
Infographic showing various Automated Fiber Placement job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $57,818 per year, or $27.8 per hour.
Sr. AFP Technician - All Shifts

Sr. AFP Technician - All Shifts

Joby Aviation

Marina, CA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post hasย expired today.ย Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Company Overview

Imagine a piloted air taxi that takes off vertically, then quietly carries you and your fellow passengers over the congested city streets below, enabling you to spend more time with the people and places that matter most. At Joby, we've been working to make that dream a reality since 2009 and we're now in the final stages of certifying our aircraft with the FAA. With plans to launch our aircraft in the US and Dubai, we're now scaling manufacturing and preparing for the launch of our commercial service.

Overview

We areseekingan experienced and motivated individual to join our team as aย Seniorย AFPย Layup Technician. In this role, you will play a crucial role in performing composite layup operations to manufacture high-quality composite parts. The ideal candidate should have at least five years of experience andpossessadvanced abilitiesanddemonstrateexpertisein material placement, orientation, and consolidation techniques. Highproficiencyin performing vacuum bagging and curing operationsarealsorequiredfor this role."ย 

As aSenior AFP Layup Technician, you will not onlybe responsible forexecuting complex part builds with precision but will also train and mentor other technicians. Your extensive knowledge and experience in composite layup operations will be invaluable in guiding and supporting the professional development of your colleagues.Joby Aviation is dedicated to training and developing individuals with potential, and we are looking for apprentices who are eager to learn and grow within our company.ย 

Shift Schedules below:ย 

1stย shift - Monday - Thursday: 7AM- 5:30PMย 2ndย shift- Monday - Thursday: 5:30PM - 4:00AMย 3rdย shift -Friday - Sunday: 6AM - 6:30PMย 

Responsibilities
  • Operate, troubleshoot, andย maintainย the Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) robot.ย ย 
  • Assistย in setting up and calibrating the AFP system forย optimalย performance, ensuring it aligns with the required parameters.ย 
  • Gain hands-on experience in loading and unloading composite materials onto the AFP machine, ensuring proper alignment and placement for the lamination process.ย 
  • Observe andย assistย inย monitoringย the AFP process during lamination, making necessary adjustments under supervision.ย 
  • Participate in routine maintenance tasks, such as cleaning, inspecting, and replacing consumable components, while working alongside experienced technicians.ย 
  • Learn to troubleshoot basic issues or malfunctions with the AFP system, with guidance from senior technicians or engineers.ย 
  • Assistย in conducting quality inspections on the laminated parts, contributing to the verification of adherence to specifications and identification of any defects or irregularities.ย 
  • Document and record production data, including material usage and basic process parameters, while learning how toย maintainย accurateย records.ย 
  • Follow safety protocols and contribute toย maintainingย a clean and organized work area, promoting a safe and efficient working environment.ย 
  • Collaborate with engineers, composite technicians, and programmers to improve the design and manufacturability of the AFP process.ย 
  • Apply composite materials onto molds or tooling surfaces using techniques like hand layup or automated processes.ย 
  • Ensure proper ply orientation, ply thickness, and material consolidation is achieved.ย 
  • Adhere to requirements set by Quality Management System (QMS)ย 
Required
  • HS Diploma or GED Equivalent
  • 4+ years of working with automated fiber placement machines orย 5 Axisย CNC Routerย Machinesย andย demonstratedabilities to developprocess, train team members, and high-level problem-solving skillsย 
  • Ability to handle complex assignments and work independently witha high levelof initiative to resolve issuesย 
  • 4+ years of troubleshooting AFP Machines, deep understanding ofย uni-direction layup andย technical limitations of AFP machines.ย ย 
  • Experience working in fast-paced, time sensitive environmentsย 
  • Demonstrated abilities following standardized work instructions, technical requirements, and executing standard processesย 
  • Basic computer skills for documentation and record-keeping purposes.ย 
  • Experienced level in using computer software programs (i.e.- Google, Microsoft suite)ย 
  • Continuous standing, squatting, bending, pulling, twisting, and lifting throughout the workday.ย 
  • Lifting of 50 lbs. or lessย 
  • Mustย wear PPE whenย requiredย 
  • Have no known allergies to epoxies or other composites materialsandableto become certified to wear a respirator.
  • Must be able to walk or stand for extended periodsย 
  • Must be able to stoop, bend, crawl, and being able to maneuver in tight spacesย ย 
  • Ability to become forklift, crane, or equipment certifiedย ย 
Desired
  • Associate degree from a college or Trade School Certificateย 
  • Computer Numerical Control (CNC) experience.ย Bonus: Experience in 5Axis CNC Machinesย ย 
  • Fabrication and Welding experienceย 
  • Bachelor's Degreeย 
  • Experience working in a regulated manufacturing environmentย 
  • Experience in ahigh-volumeproductionenvironmentthatrelieson a well-definedprocess to achieve maximumefficiency.ย 
  • Familiarity with lean manufacturing or 5S environments.ย 

The target base pay for this position is $32-$48/hr.The compensation package will be determined by job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Joby also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan with a company match, an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP), short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, and more.

Additional Information

Joby is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Employment Type: FULL_TIME