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Composite Material Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

General Matter

Composite Technician

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Identify and report process deviations, equipment malfunctions, or material defects to engineering/supervision * Follow all safety protocols related to composite dust, resin handling, PPE ...

Naval Air Systems Command

COMPOSITE FABRICATOR

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$36.85 - $43.01/hr

You will fabricate and lay up composite material to form composite skin panels or repair parts to ... engineering but with a minimal supervision. Requirements Help Conditions of employment * Must be a ...

AIAA

Composite Design Engineer

Santa Ana, CA · On-site

$93K - $123K/yr

The Sr. Composite Design Engineer will serve as a key technical contributor, collaborating cross ... Participate in material selection, process selection (autoclave, OOA, RTM, etc.), and design trade ...

New

Approach Venture

Composite Technician

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$30 - $50/hr

Composite Manufacturing Technician - Advanced Composites Production El Segundo, CA | On-site ... Escalate equipment, tooling, material, or process issues when additional engineering support is ...

Approach Venture LLC

Composite Technician

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$30 - $50/hr

Composite Manufacturing Technician - Advanced Composites Production El Segundo, CA | On-site ... Escalate equipment, tooling, material, or process issues when additional engineering support is ...

General Atomics

Composite Engineer

Adelanto, CA · On-site

$93K - $123K/yr

Engineering tasks involve the exercise of independent judgment and discretion about matters of ... Experience with composite materials, resin systems, tools, layup methods, cure cycles, and basic ...

Syensqo

Composites Technician

Anaheim, CA · On-site

$60K - $79K/yr

An Applications Engineer Technician for Composite Technician to support the Customer Engineering team in advancing new material and manufacturing technologies for Aerospace and Defense customers.

Syensqo

Composites Technician

Anaheim, CA

$60K - $79K/yr

An Applications Engineer Technician for Composite Technician to support the Customer Engineering team in advancing new material and manufacturing technologies for Aerospace and Defense customers.

Slope

Senior Materials Engineer - Composites

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$146K - $194K/yr

About the Job Anduril's Materials Engineering team is seeking a Materials and Process Engineer with ... new composite products. * Demonstrated ownership of a comprehensive material characterization ...

Reflect Orbital

Composites Engineer

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$110K - $180K/yr

Strong background in composite materials engineering, aerospace structures, or manufacturing engineering * Experience designing and producing thin high-precision composite laminates (prepreg ...

E-Space

Materials & Process Engineer

Saratoga, CA · On-site

$140K - $190K/yr

Engineer solutions for producing parts with complex geometries, tight tolerances, and demanding ... composite material behavior in complex, high-volume forming applications * Production scaling ...

E-Space

Materials & Process Engineer

Saratoga, CA · On-site

Engineer solutions for producing parts with complex geometries, tight tolerances, and demanding ... composite material behavior in complex, high-volume forming applications * Production scaling ...

General Atomics

Composite Technician

Poway, CA · On-site

This role involves reading and interpreting blueprints, preparing molds, and performing material ... Precisely align and fit composite parts and subassemblies according to engineering drawings and ...

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Composite Material Engineer information

What does a composite material engineer do?

A Composite Material Engineer specializes in the design, development, and testing of materials made from two or more constituent materials with different properties. These engineers work to create materials that are stronger, lighter, or more durable than traditional materials for use in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and construction. Their responsibilities include selecting appropriate materials, conducting simulations and tests, and collaborating with product designers to ensure that the final composite material meets all performance and safety standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a composite material engineer?

To thrive as a Composite Material Engineer, you typically need a degree in materials science or engineering, with a strong grasp of composite mechanics, material selection, and fabrication processes. Familiarity with CAD software, finite element analysis (FEA) tools, and industry standards such as ASTM or ISO is essential, along with certifications like Six Sigma being advantageous. Strong problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills help engineers collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams and convey technical concepts clearly. These competencies are crucial for designing innovative, high-performance composite materials and ensuring their successful application in industries like aerospace, automotive, and construction.

What are some common challenges that composite material engineers face when working on multidisciplinary teams?

Composite Material Engineers often collaborate closely with design, manufacturing, and testing teams to develop advanced materials for various applications. A common challenge is effectively communicating complex material properties and fabrication constraints to colleagues from different engineering backgrounds. Balancing performance requirements with cost, manufacturability, and timelines also requires strong problem-solving skills and flexibility. Successful engineers in this role are proactive in seeking feedback, clarifying technical details, and fostering open communication to ensure project goals are met efficiently.

What is the difference between Composite Material Engineer vs Materials Scientist?

AspectComposite Material EngineerMaterials Scientist
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Materials Science, Mechanical, or Aerospace EngineeringBachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Chemistry, or Physics
Work EnvironmentDesign, develop, and test composite materials in labs and manufacturing settingsResearch and analyze material properties in labs, often focusing on fundamental science
Industry UsageUsed in aerospace, automotive, and sports equipment industries for product developmentApplied in research institutions, academia, and industries for material innovation

Composite Material Engineers focus on designing and testing composite materials for practical applications, while Materials Scientists conduct fundamental research on material properties. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds but differ in their focus and work environment.

What cities in California are hiring for Composite Material Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Composite Material Engineer job openings:

Composite Material Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Composite Material Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 79% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 20% Remote job distribution.

Composite Technician

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

General Matter
See more jobs at General Matterexternal

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

About the Company

General Matter enriches uranium.

We are designing, building, and operating the world's lowest-cost enrichment services, here in the US.  

In the process, we are restoring America's ability to produce nuclear fuel to power AI, advanced manufacturing and critical industries our country relies on to remain competitive. 

Fuel drives the cost of advanced reactor electricity production, and enrichment drives the cost of the fuel that advanced reactors consume.  Reliable, low-cost enrichment is the catalyst for the nuclear Renaissance now under way.

Our mission is to make nuclear not only the cleanest and safest source of baseload power, but also the most affordable.  We believe abundant nuclear energy will lead to a post-scarcity society. 

We were incubated inside Founders Fund, like Anduril and Palantir before us, and are backed by over a dozen of the world's top venture capital firms.  

Our lean, world-class team of engineers and operators is applying a first-principles approach to solving the problem of nuclear fuel production.  

We are a mission-driven company with a culture of urgency, accountability, and transparency. 

Help us build a high-energy society by making the cleanest, safest form of baseload energy the most affordable. 

Composite Technician

We are seeking a skilled Composite Manufacturing Technician with hands-on experience in carbon fiber composite fabrication - specifically cutting, handling, and operating precision composite winding equipment. This role is critical to producing high-precision composite components. The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of composite material properties, dimensional tolerances, and process discipline required for repeatable, high-quality production. 

Key Responsibilities
  • Set up, operate, and monitor automated composite equipment (or equivalent composite fabrication equipment) to produce parts per engineering specifications and work instructions 
  • Cut, measure, and prepare carbon fiber materials (tow, prepreg, fabric) using proper handling techniques to minimize waste and material degradation 
  • Load and align mandrels, manage resin bath/wet-out systems , and verify winding patterns, tension settings, and ply schedules 
  • Perform in-process inspections to confirm fiber placement, tension consistency, void content indicators, and dimensional conformance 
  • Handle and store composite materials per shelf-life, temperature, and humidity control requirements (freezer logs, out-time tracking) 
  • Operate curing equipment (ovens, autoclaves) and monitor cure cycles by process specifications, if applicable 
  • Perform basic preventive maintenance and troubleshooting on composite equipment and ancillary machinery 
  • Maintain accurate production records, traveler documentation, and material traceability logs 
  • Identify and report process deviations, equipment malfunctions, or material defects to engineering/supervision 
  • Follow all safety protocols related to composite dust, resin handling, PPE requirements, and machine operation 
  • Support continuous improvement initiatives (5S, lean manufacturing, process optimization) 
  • Collaborate with engineering and quality teams during process development 
Basic Qualifications
  • 2+ years of hands-on experience in composite manufacturing, with direct experience in precision winding, fiber placement, or related cutting/layup processes 
  • Working knowledge of carbon fiber material types (dry tow, prepreg, fabric) and proper handling/storage practices 
  • Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings, work instructions, and process travelers 
  • Familiarity with precision measurement tools (calipers, micrometers, tension gauges) 
  • Understanding of resin systems and cure cycle fundamentals (if wet winding/oven curing involved) 
  • Ability to work with tight dimensional tolerances and maintain consistent process discipline 
  • Strong attention to detail and documentation accuracy for traceability requirements 

Preferred Skills and Experience

  • Experience operating CNC-controlled composite equipment 
  • Experience in regulated or high-reliability manufacturing environments (aerospace, defense, energy) 
  • Experience with composite fabrication, pressure vessel winding, or structural composite components 
  • Cross-trained in fabrication, bonding/adhesive application, or composite repair 
  • Vocational/technical certification in composites manufacturing or materials science 
  • Prior use of MES/QMS systems for production data entry and quality records 

Additional Requirements

  • Physical effort including standing, lifting, and carrying equipment up to 50 lbs. unassisted.
  • Must be able to work all required shift hours, overtime and/or weekends as needed

Equal Opportunity Employer

General Matter is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with General Matter is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Compensation and Benefits

The pay range for this role is $28-$55 per hour.

Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. Please note that the stated salary range is an estimate and may be adjusted based on market conditions, business needs, or other factors. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.

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