Blade Bonding Technician

Full-time, non-exempt on-site manufacturing/production role in Torrance, CA. Eligible for overtime.

About the role

The Blade Bonding Technician assembles and structurally bonds main and tail rotor blade components following engineering specifications, FAA regulations, and company quality standards. The position requires technical proficiency in aluminum surface preparation, adhesive bonding systems, and mechanical fastening to ensure structural integrity, airworthiness, and repeatable production quality.

Responsibilities

• Perform structural adhesive bonding of rotor blade components following approved blade bonding procedures and controlled work instructions.
• Execute aluminum alloy surface preparation processes: cleaning, solvent wipe, abrasion, etching, priming, and proper cure cycle management.
• Demonstrate working knowledge of aerospace-grade primers, solvents, and adhesives, including handling, shelf-life control, mix ratios, and environmental controls (temperature/humidity).
• Prepare holes for structural fasteners: layout, drilling, reaming, deburring, and inspection to ensure proper edge distance and tolerance compliance.
• Install rivets and mechanical fasteners in accordance with aerospace standards; verify fastener fit and integrity.
• Apply specified torque values to bolts and nuts using calibrated torque tools and document torque verification per quality requirements.
• Maintain strict adherence to bonding time constraints, adhesive open time, clamp pressure requirements, and cure schedules.
• Conduct in-process inspections to verify surface cleanliness, bond-line thickness, and assembly alignment prior to cure.
• Identify and report non-conformances related to bonding, surface prep, or structural assembly.
• Maintain compliance with FAA, DOT, and internal quality system requirements in a regulated manufacturing environment.

Requirements

• Experience in aerospace composite or metallic structural bonding preferred.
• Working knowledge of aluminum alloys and corrosion prevention techniques.
• Proficiency in reading engineering drawings, process specifications, and torque charts.
• Understanding of structural adhesive systems and bond-line control methods.
• Ability to use precision measuring tools and calibrated torque equipment.
• Strong attention to detail and process discipline in a production environment.

Skills

• Aluminum surface preparation
• Adhesive bonding
• Drilling/reaming
• Torque application

Materials

• Aluminum alloys
• Aerospace-grade adhesives
• Primers
• Solvents
• Composite materials

Benefits

• Comprehensive group health plans (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• Supplementary plans
• Competitive 401k Retirement Plan

Pay

$24.00–$35.00/hour ($50k–$73k per year)