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Canopy Aerospace & Defense

Develops thermal protection systems for spacecraft

AI&T Technician

Full-TimeUpdated on 10/23/2026
$25 - $32/hr+ Discretionary bonuses
Mid, Senior
Associate's, Certification
Ontario, CA, USA
In PersonOnsite in Ontario, California; travel up to 10%.
Manufacturing & Production OperationsProduct Assembly

About the job

Requirements
  • A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
  • Two to five or more years of experience in aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, or related technical industries is required.
  • Hands-on experience in at least two of these areas is required: assembly, integration, testing, bonding, composites, coatings, or mechanical fabrication.
  • Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, travelers, and work instructions is required.
  • Strong mechanical aptitude and attention to detail are required.
  • Familiarity with precision measuring tools and standard manufacturing equipment is required.
  • Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented, deadline-driven production environment is required.
  • Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills are required.
  • Basic computer proficiency for documentation and production tracking systems is required.
  • Professional working proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English is required.
  • Ability to work in office, lab, and manufacturing environments with occasional exposure to noise, chemicals, dust, industrial equipment, and temperature variations is required.
  • Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while working at a computer workstation is required.
  • Frequent use of hands and fingers for data entry, keyboarding, and mouse use is required.
  • Ability to view computer screens for prolonged periods is required.
  • Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and via email is required.
  • Ability to use a computer to complete assignments is required.
Responsibilities
  • Perform assembly, integration, bonding, and testing operations on aerospace hardware and components.
  • Execute builds in accordance with engineering drawings, work instructions, travelers, and process specifications.
  • Support mechanical and electro-mechanical assembly activities using hand tools, fixtures, and specialized equipment.
  • Assist with bonding, coatings, composites handling, and related manufacturing processes as required.
  • Conduct inspections and basic functional testing to verify product quality and conformance.
  • Maintain accurate production documentation and ensure traceability requirements are met.
  • Identify and escalate nonconformances, material issues, or process concerns to leadership and Quality teams.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality to resolve production challenges.
  • Support process improvements focused on efficiency, throughput, and quality enhancement.
  • Maintain a clean, organized, and safety-compliant work environment.
  • Assist with new product introduction builds, prototypes, and process validation activities as needed.
  • Support production schedules and delivery commitments in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Desired Qualifications
  • Technical certification or an associate degree is preferred.
  • Experience working in regulated manufacturing environments such as AS9100 or similar quality systems is preferred.
  • Experience supporting aerospace flight hardware or space-related programs is preferred.
  • Familiarity with cleanroom or controlled manufacturing environments is preferred.
  • Experience with composite materials, adhesives, coatings, or thermal protection systems is preferred.
  • Ability to perform basic electrical or functional testing activities is preferred.
  • Experience supporting prototype or new product introduction builds is preferred.
  • Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement experience is preferred.
  • ERP/MRP system familiarity is preferred.
  • Prior experience in a high-growth or startup manufacturing environment is preferred.
  • Flexibility to support overtime or alternate shifts as production demands require is preferred.

About the company

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Canopy Aerospace & Defense

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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

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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.

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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

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.