Senior Technician – Composite Prepreg
El Segundo, CA | FULL-TIME
Cambium is a global company building the advanced materials base for reindustrialization — from AI-driven molecular design to agile domestic manufacturing. Defense, aerospace, and other high-performance applications demand materials that are stronger, lighter, and more resilient, delivered at unprecedented speed and scale. Our team of world-class scientists and engineers was assembled specifically to take on those challenges. Whether enabling hypersonic flight or protecting critical systems, our solutions solve mission-critical problems and push the limits of what's possible. Come join us and revolutionize advanced materials for defense, aerospace, and beyond.
Cambium is seeking a Senior Technician – Composite Prepregs to join our growing team in El Segundo, CA. The successful candidate will be curious with a desire to learn and will help us build a work culture of open-mindedness that embraces creativity. At Cambium we’re willing to do things differently.
THE ROLE
Cambium is seeking a Senior Technician to lead operation of our 12” wide pilot prepreg line. You will serve as the lead technician within a small team, ensuring the equipment runs properly and that resin mixing and prepregging are completed on time and to specification for both internal development programs and external customers. This is a hands-on role, not a people-management position; you will set the daily pace on the line, train and guide teammates, and work closely with engineers to scale new materials. As Cambium experiences rapid growth, the responsibilities of this role are expected to evolve.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead day-to-day operation of Cambium’s 12" wide pilot prepreg line, including setup, threading, web tension, coating/nip gap, line speed, and temperature control
- Act as a lead for a small team of technicians, assigning daily tasks, providing hands-on training, and serving as the first point of contact for line questions
- Oversee resin mixing and staging, including weighing, batching, viscosity checks, and pot-life management, to keep the line supplied and on schedule
- Ensure prepreg meets specification for resin content, areal weight, tack, and volatile content, and perform or coordinate in-process and final quality checks
- Plan and execute production runs to meet delivery schedules for internal development programs and external customers, and communicate status and risks to engineering
- Maintain accurate batch records, run logs, material traceability, roll labeling, and freezer inventory, including out-time tracking
- Perform and schedule preventive maintenance on the prepreg line and mixing equipment, troubleshoot issues, and coordinate repairs to minimize downtime
- Provide feedback to improve standard operating procedures, work instructions, and training materials for prepreg and mixing operations
- Partner with engineers on new resin and fiber trials, process development, and scale-up activities
- Follow all safety protocols, model safe behavior for the team, and contribute to our culture of safety
- Create and contribute to the product demonstration and engineering teams in a manner consistent with Cambium’s mission and values and the growth of Cambium’s business
KEY REQUIREMENTS
- High school diploma or equivalency certificate
- 5+ years of hands-on experience operating hot-melt or solvent prepreg, filming, or similar web-handling/coating equipment
- Experience mixing and handling thermoset resin systems (e.g., epoxy, BMI, phenolic, cyanate ester)
- Demonstrated experience leading or training other technicians on the shop floor
- Working knowledge of prepreg quality checks such as resin content, areal weight, and tack
- Strong record keeping and attention to detail, including traceability and batch documentation
- Mechanical aptitude and ability to troubleshoot equipment issues
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and complete work on schedule
- Strong communication skills and team-oriented mindset
- Due to the nature of the work, you must have US citizenship
- This is an active manufacturing position. Employees must be able to stand and walk for most of the shift; bend, reach, push, pull, and perform repetitive tasks; and lift or move up to 50 pounds.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Previous experience at an aerospace/defense manufacturer or materials supplier
- Experience with impregnating unidirectional fabrics
- Experience with high shear mixing equipment and hot mixing operations
BENEFITS
Cambium offers a highly competitive compensation and benefits plan. This includes excellent medical/dental/vision benefits, and a matching 401(k) plan, professional development reimbursement, and an opportunity for equity for most full-time positions