Composite Laminator

Abingdon
1 month ago
Applications closed

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Composite Laminator

Composite Laminator

Composite Laminator

Composite Laminator

Composite Laminator

Composite Laminator - Nights/Weekends

Job Title: Composite Laminator (Contractor)

Position Overview

We are seeking experienced Composite Laminators to join our advanced composites manufacturing team on a contract basis. This role involves hands-on production of high-performance composite components, primarily using pre-preg carbon fibre materials, for projects in high-performance automotive, motorsport, aerospace, defence, and marine sectors. The work focuses on delivering lightweight, high-strength parts such as monocoques, body panels, and structural components to exacting standards of quality, precision, and performance.
There are two contract positions available, with potential for extension based on project demands and performance.

Key Responsibilities

Perform hand lay-up of pre-preg carbon fibre, fiberglass, and other advanced composite materials according to technical drawings, ply books, laminate schedules, and work instructions.
Prepare moulds and tools by cleaning, applying release agents, sealing, and waxing to ensure defect-free production.
Apply composite layers accurately, ensuring proper orientation, consolidation, and removal of air voids using rollers, squeegees, and other hand tools.
Execute vacuum bagging processes, including the application of peel ply, release films, breather fabrics, and vacuum bags for optimal laminate consolidation.
Conduct in-process and post-production inspections to verify compliance with specifications, identifying and addressing any defects.
Trim, fit, and finish cured composite parts to precise tolerances using hand tools, power tools, and measuring equipment.
Assist in demoulding, part assembly, and basic bonding operations as required.
Maintain accurate documentation, including job cards, travellers, quality records, and inspection reports.
Adhere strictly to health and safety protocols, including the proper use of PPE, handling of resins and materials, and working in controlled environments (e.g., clean rooms).
Contribute to continuous improvement by reporting issues, suggesting efficiencies, and maintaining a clean and organised workspace.

Essential Skills and Experience

Proven experience as a Composite Laminator, ideally in high-performance sectors such as motorsport (including Formula 1), automotive, aerospace, or marine.
Strong expertise in pre-preg hand lay-up techniques with carbon fibre materials.
Proficiency in mould preparation, vacuum bagging, and curing processes (including autoclave awareness).
Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, ply schedules, and technical specifications.
Experience with trimming and fitting composite components to tight tolerances.
Excellent attention to detail and a commitment to producing high-quality, defect-free parts.
Familiarity with quality control standards and inspection methods in composites manufacturing.
Good manual dexterity and physical fitness, including the ability to stand for extended periods, lift materials (up to 25kg), and work in confined spaces.

Desirable Skills

Experience with advanced composites tooling, including 3D-printed or additive-manufactured moulds.
Knowledge of robotics or automated processes in composites production.
Previous work on carbon fibre monocoques or Class A surfaces.
Basic understanding of health, safety, and environmental regulations in composites handling.

Requirements

Right to work in the UK (essential for contract roles).
Availability for immediate or short-notice start.
Willingness to work flexible hours, including overtime and shifts as project demands require.
Own transport preferred due to facility location.

Contract Details

Position Type - Contract (initial duration to be discussed, with potential for extension).
Hourly Rate - £24 per hour (paid via umbrella company or agency, depending on arrangement).
Number of Positions - Two.
Location - Oxfordshire, UK (on-site role in a modern 20,000 sq ft facility).
If you have a passion for precision engineering and experience in delivering world-class composite components, we would like to hear from you. Please submit your CV and details of relevant experience

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

How Many Materials Science Tools Do You Need to Know to Get a Materials Science Job?

If you’re navigating the materials science job market, it can feel like the list of tools, techniques and platforms you should learn grows every week. One job advert mentions electron microscopy, another mentions X-ray diffraction, yet another wants experience with thermal analysis, spectroscopy, simulation software, statistical packages, manufacturing QA systems and more. With so many specialised methods and instruments, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed — and to start thinking you need to know everything just to be considered. Here’s the honest truth most materials science hiring managers won’t tell you directly: 👉 They don’t hire you because you know every piece of equipment or software. They hire you because you can use the tools you do know to answer real questions, make reliable measurements and communicate results clearly. Tools are essential — no question — but they are secondary to problem-solving ability, scientific reasoning and experimental rigour. So the real question is: how many materials science tools do you actually need to know to get a job? The precise number depends on the role you want, but for most job seekers the answer is far fewer than you think. This article breaks down what employers really value, which tools are core, which are role-specific, and how to focus your learning so your CV and interviews stand out for the right reasons.

What Hiring Managers Look for First in Materials Science Job Applications (UK Guide)

Materials science is a broad, interdisciplinary field that spans academia, industry, research, engineering and manufacturing. Whether you’re applying for roles in R&D, process development, quality assurance, failure analysis, nanomaterials or product scale-up, hiring managers make key decisions within the first few seconds of scanning your application. In competitive job markets, simply listing skills or qualifications isn’t enough. Hiring managers are looking for signals of relevance, technical depth, problem-solving capability and real-world impact — and they expect those signals to be clear right from the top of your CV or portfolio. This guide breaks down exactly what hiring managers typically look for first in materials science applications, why they look for it, and how you can optimise your CV, cover letter and portfolio so your application stands out and gets past the first filter.

The Skills Gap in Materials Science Jobs: What Universities Aren’t Teaching

Materials science sits at the heart of innovation — from sustainable energy and advanced manufacturing to aerospace, electronics, healthcare and beyond. It is an interdisciplinary field combining physics, chemistry, engineering and applied science to design and improve materials that power modern technology. Despite the clear strategic importance of materials science, employers across the UK report persistent challenges hiring graduates who are truly job-ready. Organisations need professionals who can contribute immediately to research, development, manufacturing, quality control and product scale-up — yet many recent graduates struggle to bridge the gap between academic preparation and workplace demands. This gap is not caused by a lack of intelligence or enthusiasm. It is a growing skills gap between what universities teach and what real materials science jobs require. This article explores the materials science skills gap in depth: what universities teach well, what they often miss, why the gap exists, what employers want, and how aspiring professionals can bridge the divide to build successful careers in this vital UK industry.