Plating Process Engineer Jobs Near Me

ABOUT THE TEAM

Anduril's Low Observables Team is seeking a Low Observable Technician to join our team.The Air Dominance and Strike Low Observable Team are advancing into the next generation of LO Technology to enhance the survivability and effectiveness of unmanned air systems. Our Low Observables team is responsible for designing, analyzing, testing, manufacturing, and sustaining LO aircraft ensuring our systems remain undetectable in contested environments. 

We are looking for a skilled Low Observable Technician to join our advanced manufacturing team. This is a hybrid role bridging composite structures and LO coatings - you will perform composite bodywork, aerodynamic surface finishing, gap and seam treatment, panel fitting, and structural surface preparation on low observable aircraft. You will also directly support the LO paint team during coating operations, including masking, material handling, wet- edge assistance, and hand-application of fillers and edge treatments. Think of this role as the person who makes the airframe paint-ready and keeps it that way - you own the surface geometry, smoothness, and structural interfaces that determine whether coatings will perform. When the painters spray, you're in the booth alongside them. When a panel doesn't fit flush, you're the one who makes it right. If you have hands-on composite skills, understand what LO surfaces demand, and want to work on hardware that matters - this role is for you.

The right person for this role can demonstrate past holistic ownership on solving a technical challenge with a creative, physical, solution that they either personally manufacturing or oversee manufacturing on, in a fast-paced, resource-limited environment. If you are someone who thrives in such an environment, then this role is for you.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

- Perform composite bodywork including sanding, filling, fairing, and contouring of carbon fiber/epoxy airframe surfaces to achieve aerodynamic and signature-compliant surface profiles.
- Apply and finish aerodynamic fillers, gap fillers, and seam sealants to panel interfaces, fastener locations, access doors, and structural joints to maintain LO surface continuity.
- Fit, trim, and install composite panels, access covers, and LO-critical fairings to engineering tolerances, ensuring flush fits and minimal step/gap at all interfaces.
- Fabricate minor composite repair patches, shims, and filler details using wet layup, pre-preg, or paste adhesive systems as directed by engineering.
- Sand, contour, and blend repair areas to match surrounding outer mold line (OML) geometry using templates, contour gauges, and straightedges.
- Perform full surface preparation of composite structures for LO coatings
- Prepare masking layouts for complex LO coating schemes including multi-zone thickness requirements, edge treatments, and keep-out areas per engineering drawings.
- Support LO paint team during spray operations: material handling, booth setup, wet edge assistance, panel rotation/positioning, and environmental monitoring.
- Hand-apply LO edge treatments, RAM tapes, gap fill compounds, and conductive sealants to areas inaccessible by spray application.
- Perform touch-up and localized hand-application of primer and LO coatings in tight access areas, fastener recesses, and complex geometry zones.
- Interpret and work from engineering drawings, 3D models, process specifications, work instructions, and MIL-spec/company-spec documents
- Maintain detailed process documentation: rework records, inspection data, material traceability, and panel fit measurements
- Identify process improvements for surface finishing, panel fit, and paint-prep workflows we expect everyone to challenge the status quo and find faster, better methods.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

- High school diploma or GED.
- Minimum 3 years of hands-on experience in composite/metal structures: fabrication, repair, bonding, surface finishing, or assembly in aerospace, automotive, and/or composite production 
- Proficiency in composite sanding, filling, and contouring to achieve specified surface profiles (flatness, contour, roughness/waviness requirements).
- Experience with filler and sealant systems: mixing, application (trowel, squeegee, caulk gun, spatula), and finishing to flush/smooth condition.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, process specifications, and MIL-spec documents.
- Experience with precision measurement: feeler gauges, step gauges, calipers, micrometers, contour templates, and/or surface profilometers.
- Working knowledge of composite surface preparation methods for adhesive bonding and/or coating application (solvent wipe, abrasion, media blast, peel ply).
- Knowledge of aerospace quality requirements; experience working within AS9100,
- Nadcap, or equivalent quality management systems.
- U.S. Citizenship required. Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Defense Secret security clearance.
- Ability to wear required PPE including full-face respirator, supplied air hood, chemical-resistant suit, hearing protection, and safety harness for extended periods.
- Ability to stand, kneel, crouch, reach overhead, and work in confined spaces or elevated platforms for extended periods. Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 3+ years of LO structures or LO coatings support experience on military aircraft programs (F-22, F-35, B-21, B-2, B-21 or similar).
- Direct experience with LO gap/seam fill materials, edge treatments, and RAM tape application.
- Experience with both carbon fiber/epoxy and metallic (aluminum, titanium) structure finishing.
- Experience with composite repair methods: scarfing, wet layup, pre-preg patching, vacuum bagging, and post-repair contouring.
- Experience with HVLP spray application of primers and topcoats (cross-training with paint team is expected in this role).
- Experience qualifying new materials or processes (first article inspection, process validation).
- Active Secret or Top Secret clearance.
- Experience in a startup, rapid-prototyping, or new product introduction (NPI) environment.
- Familiarity with lean manufacturing, 5S, and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Knowledge of electromagnetic signature principles as they relate to surface geometry, gaps, steps, and material transitions (not required, but valued - we want people whounderstand why flush surfaces matter beyond cosmetics).