C

Canopy Aerospace & Defense

Develops thermal protection systems for spacecraft

Quality Inspector

Full-Time
$28 - $31/hr+ Discretionary bonus
Mid
Cape Canaveral, FL, USA
In Person
Manufacturing Quality & TestInspection & Test

About the job

Requirements
  • At least 3 years of inspection or quality experience in a manufacturing environment.
  • Computer proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
  • Ability to interpret drawings, including geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
  • Ability to safely lift 25 pounds.
  • Ability to understand purchase order requirements and verify certificates of conformance.
  • Knowledge of mechanical measuring tools, including micrometers, calipers, scales, pin and radius gages, height gages, surface-finish comparators, and dial indicators.
  • Professional working proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English.
  • Ability to work in office, laboratory, and manufacturing environments with occasional exposure to noise, chemicals, dust, industrial equipment, and temperature variations.
  • Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while working at a computer workstation.
  • Frequent use of hands and fingers for data entry, keyboarding, and mouse use.
  • Ability to view computer screens for prolonged periods.
  • Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and via email.
  • Ability to use a computer to complete assignments.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations.
Responsibilities
  • Inspect received materials, in-process and finished components using mechanical and electronic measuring and test equipment, as well as visual inspection, against applicable drawings and specifications.
  • Inspect products and materials and generate inspection records in accordance with ISO 9001 and AS9100 specifications.
  • Ensure materials, products, and processes—including paint, anodizing, and chem-film—conform to applicable drawings and specification requirements.
  • Interface with machinists and production personnel regarding workmanship and determine whether other quality issues exist.
  • Verify calibrated tools to ensure gages and measuring instruments are within their calibration interval before use.
  • Isolate or quarantine nonconforming material from acceptable parts and ensure it is properly documented and controlled in accordance with company quality procedures and work instructions.
Desired Qualifications
  • Knowledge of programmable coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) or portable coordinate measuring machines (PCMMs), including Faro Arm or Romer Arm with laser-line probe, is a plus.
  • Familiarity with Verisurf and PC-DMIS is a plus.
  • Experience generating dimensional inspection reports (DIRs) and first article inspection reports (FAIRs).

About the company

C

Canopy Aerospace & Defense

View

Canopy Aerospace & Defense designs, prototypes, and manufactures thermal protection systems for space and hypersonic vehicles. Their heat shields and insulation protect spacecraft from extreme temperatures during flight, with materials tested in real flight conditions to ensure reliability. The company leverages NASA-backed research, real-flight testing, and a focus on reuse and cost efficiency to stand out in a growing NewSpace market. Its goal is to meet rising demand from commercial and government space programs by delivering dependable thermal protection that improves safety and mission economics.

Company Size

11-50

Company Stage

Grant

Total Funding

$6.6M

Headquarters

Denver, Colorado

Founded

2021

Get referred to Canopy Aerospace & Defense

See people who can refer or advise you

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • September 2026 Aviotec expands Canopy into satellite supply chains across European programs.
  • Late-2026 Smart TPS flight testing creates a near-term commercialization catalyst.
  • 2024-2026 Air Force and NASA awards validate Canopy's thermal protection technology and customer demand.

What critics are saying

  • Canopy still depends on government-sponsored R&D; production revenue trails validation milestones through late 2026.
  • Integrating Aviotec, Tods, and U.S. plants risks execution slippage across Europe and America.
  • Lockheed, Northrop, RTX, and Leidos dominate hypersonics; Canopy loses if qualification stalls.

What makes Canopy Aerospace & Defense unique

  • Canopy pairs transpiration-cooled TPS with robotics, 3D ceramics, and embedded sensor integration.
  • September 1, 2026 Aviotec acquisition adds European MLI blankets and harnesses capabilities.
  • April 2026 AS9100 QMS readiness supports high-temperature materials manufacturing and defense qualification.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Retirement plan participation (eligibility required)
  • Paid Sick Leave
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid holidays
  • Discretionary bonuses

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

-6%

1 year growth

-12%

2 year growth

0%
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
Sep 2nd, 2026
Willkie advises Canopy Aerospace & Defense on acquisition of Aviotec S.r.l. in italy.

Willkie advises Canopy Aerospace & Defense on acquisition of Aviotec S.r.l. in italy. News. September 2, 2026 Willkie represented Canopy Aerospace & Defense, a portfolio company of Trive Capital, in its acquisition of Aviotec S.r.l., an Italian-based supplier of multi-layer insulation (MLI) blankets and electrical harnesses for satellites and spacecraft. Aviotec provides in-house design, analysis, manufacturing, and integration capabilities for institutional and commercial space programs across Europe. Willkie previously advised Canopy Aerospace & Defense on its acquisitions of Hera Technologies, M.S.M. Industries, Canopy Aerospace, and Tods Defence. Trive Capital is a private equity firm based in Dallas, Texas, with more than $8 billion of regulatory assets under management. The Willkie team was led by partner Chase Proctor and associate Bilal Sheriff and included partner Alaric Green.

PR Newswire
Sep 1st, 2026
TRIVE CAPITAL'S CANOPY AEROSPACE & DEFENSE ACQUIRES AVIOTEC, EXTENDING VALUE CREATION ACROSS THE SATELLITE SUPPLY CHAIN

/PRNewswire/ -- Canopy Aerospace & Defense ("Canopy A&D"), a portfolio company of Trive Capital, today announced the acquisition of Aviotec S.r.l. ("Aviotec"),...

Citybiz
Nov 4th, 2025
Canopy Aerospace & Defense Acquires Tods Technology

Canopy Aerospace & Defense, a portfolio company of Trive Capital, is excited to announce the acquisition of Tods Technology Ltd.,... Read More

PR Newswire
Nov 4th, 2025
Canopy Aerospace & Defense Acquires Tods Technology, Expanding Global Footprint in Advanced Composites and Acoustic Materials in the Maritime Domain

Canopy Aerospace & Defense acquires Tods Technology, expanding global footprint in advanced composites and acoustic materials in the maritime domain. News provided by. DALLAS and PORTLAND, Dorset, United Kingdom, Nov. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Canopy Aerospace & Defense ("Canopy A&D"), a portfolio company of Trive Capital, is excited to announce the acquisition of Tods Technology Ltd. ("Tods"), a UK-based designer and manufacturer of advanced composite structures and acoustic materials serving the maritime defense industrial base. The addition of Tods represents a significant expansion of Canopy A&D's global footprint and technical capabilities. Tods brings decades of proven expertise in structural composites, sonar domes, acoustic enclosures, and signature-management materials for both surface and subsurface vessels. Dr. Marco Villa, Canopy A&D CEO commented: "Tods' reputation and commitment to their customers' missions are world-class and deeply aligned with our values. Their longstanding partnerships with the Royal Navy and over 25 Navies worldwide expand Canopy A&D's global presence, supporting critical allied defense programs and strengthening supply-chain resilience between the United States and the United Kingdom. We are committed to building on their legacy by investing in infrastructure, equipment, and people to create an immediate synergy we cannot wait to exploit." The acquisition enhances Canopy A&D's ability to deliver advanced materials and engineered solutions across the full lifecycle of maritime defense programs, from design and development through qualification, production, and sustainment. By integrating Tods' composite and acoustic expertise with Canopy A&D's broader materials and manufacturing capabilities, the company strengthens its position as a leading partner to the global maritime defense industrial base - accelerating shipbuilding schedules and advancing mission-critical platform performance. About Tods Technology Tods Technology, based in Portland, Dorset, UK, is a leading designer and manufacturer of advanced composite structures and acoustic materials for naval and aerospace applications. The company's capabilities include the design, testing, and production of sonar domes, acoustic windows, and structural composites for submarine and surface-ship platforms, supported by global through-life services including in-yard installation, maintenance, and repair. About Canopy Aerospace & Defense Canopy Aerospace & Defense manufactures and delivers highly specialized materials with exceptional insulative, absorptive, and signal reducing characteristics to the space and defense markets. The Company assists OEMs from the initial design phase with R&D material and system engineering services to turnkey manufacturing through refurbishment services on reusable platforms. With deep domain expertise and responsive manufacturing, Canopy A&D acts as a seamless "Built-In" extension of its partners, filling critical gaps across long manufacturing chains. The company operates facilities in Los Angeles, Denver, Cape Canaveral, and the United Kingdom. About Trive Capital Trive Capital is a Dallas, Texas based private equity firm with more than $8 billion of regulatory assets under management. Trive focuses on investing equity and debt in what it sees as strategically viable middle-market companies with the potential for transformational upside through operational improvement. SOURCE Canopy A&D

Space.com
May 11th, 2025
How do you keep reusable spacecraft cool during reentry? Make them 'sweat'

A research team from Texas A&M University has partnered with Canopy Aerospace to develop and test a 3D-printed material that releases or "sweats" a coolant gas to protect spacecraft from the intense heat encountered when travelling back to Earth at high speeds.