Production Operator – Advanced Composite Materials

About Blackwave Blackwave designs, manufactures and ships flight-qualified, commercial off-the-shelf composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) for launch vehicles and satellites. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Munich, Germany, the company delivers COPVs from a standardized portfolio with flight heritage. The approach reduces lead time from months to days while ensuring that each tank is qualified and flight-ready. Blackwave's mission is to end COPV failure in spaceflight. The company employs more than 150 people across manufacturing facilities in Germany and Texas.

More information at Blackwave.com and the procurement platform COPV.com.

Role Mission The mission of the Production Operator is to execute production activities reliably and precisely to ensure consistent product quality, stable processes, and safe operation of manufacturing equipment. The role supports daily production by following defined procedures, monitoring processes, and contributing to efficient and repeatable manufacturing operations.

Expected Outcomes A Successful Production Operator Will

• Execute production tasks accurately and according to work instructions
• Ensure consistent product quality and adherence to specifications
• Operate production equipment safely and reliably
• Identify deviations and report issues in a timely manner
• Support stable production flow and daily output targets
• Contribute to a clean, safe, and organized production environment

Key Responsibilities

• Operate production equipment and manufacturing processes according to defined instructions
• Execute manual and semi-automated production steps as assigned
• Monitor process parameters and product quality during production
• Document production data, deviations, and observations accurately
• Perform visual and basic quality checks during production
• Support setup, changeover, and shutdown of production equipment
• Follow safety, quality, and operational guidelines at all times
• Communicate issues, deviations, or improvement ideas to the Production Lead
• Support maintenance, cleaning, and organization of the production area
• Work closely with on-site production, quality, and operations teams

Competencies Technical and Operational Know-how

• Basic understanding of manufacturing or production processes
• Ability to operate technical equipment following instructions
• Willingness to work with materials, machines, and process parameters
• Ability to follow structured procedures and document work accurately

Professional and Personal Skills

• Reliable, precise, and disciplined working style
• High attention to detail and quality
• Ability to follow instructions consistently
• Team-oriented mindset and good communication skills
• Willingness to learn and improve production skills

Required Qualifications Education and Experience

• Vocational training, technical education, or relevant practical experience
• Experience in production, manufacturing, or industrial environments is preferred
• Experience working in structured, process-driven settings is an advantage

Language Skills

• English is required
• Ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions in English
• Ability to communicate issues and document production-related information in English

Work Model

• On-site work is mandatory
• Ability to work reliably in a production environment with physical processes and equipment
• Our current facility is located in Lockhart, Texas (near Austin/San Antonio)
• In mid-2026, Blackwave will relocate to a new site in the Port San Antonio aerospace hub

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Blackwave Texas Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

ITAR Eligibility

Because we work on technologies that are subject to U.S. export regulations (ITAR), this role can only be filled by individuals who meet specific eligibility criteria.

To be considered, you must be one of the following:

• a U.S. citizen or U.S. national,
• a U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder),
• a refugee or asylee admitted under U.S. law,
• or otherwise authorized to receive U.S. export-controlled information from the Department of State.

If you’re unsure whether you meet these requirements, you can learn more about ITAR here

At Blackwave Texas Inc., we hire for talent, curiosity, and the drive to build what’s next. Employment decisions are based on merit, competence, and qualifications.

If you’d like to review our affirmative action plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or if you require an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact us at [email protected]

For this U.S.-based role, your application will be managed by our global People Team in Germany.