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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.
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Automated Fiber Placement jobs near you
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.
Principal/Sr. Principal Manufacturing Engineer Level 3/4

Principal/Sr. Principal Manufacturing Engineer Level 3/4

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Iuka, MS

$105K - $158K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted 25 days ago

Northrop Grumman rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 353 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

108th of 528 rated manufacturers

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescriptionAt Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a first shift Principal/Sr. Principal Manufacturing Engineer Level 3/4 to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. The position will be located in Iuka, MS. This position supports a (B-Shift) Monday - Thursday 5:30pm to 4:00am schedule.

The selected candidate will provide critical support in a high-volume high-mix production environment, working closely with Operations, Quality, Industrial Engineering, Scheduling and Maintenance. Our goal is to minimize downtime on the production line by troubleshooting, problem solving, and proactively identifying areas of concern. Our engineers work to continuously improve their processes, eliminating process variation and waste while building in quality. Join us in the team effort to meet our production goals!

Work closely with manufacturing personnel to tackle production issues in hand layup, automated fiber placement, autoclave cure, paint and assembly processes

Maintain and distribute daily shift issue logs, documenting both resolved and pending production issues for enhanced communication and transfers of information between shifts

Author, modify, and audit shop floor procedures and electronic work instructions (EWIs)

Perform root cause and corrective action (RCCA) activities to permanently eliminate defects

Troubleshoot production/equipment/program/tooling issues and implement robust improvements and solutions

Work with the quality engineering team to interpret drawings and specifications to process discrepant hardware.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter seeking autonomy and possesses both strong written and verbal communication skills. He/she should enjoy collaborating with others of varying backgrounds and roles, including but not limited to Production, Maintenance, and Quality, in a fast-paced environment to solve time-sensitive problems. We are a tight-knit team, and we enjoy working together to reach our mutual goals.

Basic Qualifications:

Principal Manufacturing Engineer (T03):

  • Bachelor degree with 4 years of experience in the following fields; Manufacturing, Aeronautics, Aerospace, Production, Industrial, Mechanical, Design, Tooling OR Masters Degree with 3 years of experience in mentioned fields; OR PhD with 0 years of experience.

  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security Clearance

  • Ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (PAR)

  • Must have U.S. citizenship

Sr. Principal Manufacturing Engineer (T04)

  • Bachelor degree with 8 years of experience in the following fields; Manufacturing, Aeronautics, Aerospace, Production, Industrial, Mechanical, Design, Tooling OR Masters Degree with 6 years of experience in mentioned fields; OR PhD with 4 years of experience.

  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security Clearance

  • Ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (PAR)

  • Must have U.S. citizenship

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Degree in Manufacturing, Aerospace, Mechanical, or Composite Engineering

  • Solid understanding of root cause / corrective action (RCCA) processes and techniques

  • Knowledge of composite part manufacturing

  • Experience in computer-aided design software (NX preferred)

  • Experience drafting, maintaining, and modifying work instructions and/or process specifications

  • Experience reviewing and interpreting engineering drawings and specifications

  • Experience with Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T)

  • Familiarization with Process Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (PFMEA)

  • Active Secret or Top-Secret clearance

Primary Level Salary Range: $84,700.00 - $127,100.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $105,800.00 - $158,600.00The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

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About Northrop Grumman

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At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939

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