Senior AFP Manufacturing Engineer – Automated Fiber Placement Company: DANTA INNOVATIONS PRIVATE LIMITED (DANTA®)

Location:
Bengaluru / Doddaballapura Industrial Area, Karnataka, India Department: Engineering & Advanced Manufacturing

Experience:
5–10 years Employment Type: Full time, on-site About DANTA DANTA INNOVATIONS PRIVATE LIMITED is building advanced composite manufacturing capabilities for defence, aerospace, industrial pressure systems and emerging hydrogen applications. Our manufacturing strategy centres on Automated Fiber Placement (AFP), robotic automation, carbon-fibre composites and process-driven product development. We are seeking a hands-on AFP Manufacturing Engineer to develop, commission and optimise our automated composite manufacturing processes, working directly with engineering, operations and quality teams. Role Overview The engineer will own the technical implementation of DANTA’s AFP manufacturing process, from machine commissioning and toolpath development through process validation and production readiness. This is a hands-on engineering role suited to someone who understands both automated equipment and composite manufacturing—not solely conventional robot programming.

Key Responsibilities
1. AFP Machine Commissioning
* Support installation, commissioning and acceptance of the AFP system.
* Integrate the AFP deposition head with the industrial robot, linear track and rotational positioner.
* Establish and verify machine coordinate systems, tool centre points, calibration and motion limits.
* Troubleshoot deposition, motion, communication and equipment-related issues. 2. AFP Programming and CAM
* Develop and simulate AFP toolpaths using AddPath CAM or equivalent software.
* Translate engineering geometry and laminate requirements into manufacturable deposition paths.
* Optimise fibre orientation, course placement, coverage and deposition sequence.
* Evaluate steering limits, gaps, overlaps, cut/restart locations and other relevant AFP defects.
* Collaborate with design engineers to resolve manufacturability issues before production. 3. Composite Process Development
* Establish process parameters for the selected carbon-fibre towpreg and other approved feedstocks.
* Develop controlled procedures for material storage, conditioning, loading, deposition and handling.
* Evaluate deposition temperature, compaction, feed rate, tension and other machine-specific parameters.




* Develop repeatable processes for mandrels, tooling and complex composite geometries.
* Support cure-cycle development in coordination with material suppliers and the approved process specification. 4. Process Validation and Quality
* Develop process trials, inspection criteria and acceptance records.
* Identify and investigate fibre-placement defects, wrinkles, bridging, gaps, overlaps and other relevant anomalies.
* Establish process traceability, machine parameter records and controlled manufacturing instructions.
* Support first-article inspection, non-conformance investigations and corrective actions.
* Work with the quality team to establish process qualification and repeatability evidence. 5. Production Readiness
* Convert validated engineering processes into standard operating procedures and production documentation.
* Improve cycle time, material utilisation, machine availability and process repeatability.
* Train operators and technicians on approved AFP procedures.
* Coordinate with engineering, quality, operations, maintenance and equipment suppliers.
* Support prototype manufacturing and subsequent production scale-up. Technical Requirements Mandatory
* Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Engineering or a relevant discipline.
* 5–10 years of relevant experience in advanced composites manufacturing, automated layup or closely related manufacturing processes.
* Practical experience with AFP or ATL equipment, preferably in an industrial production environment.
* Working knowledge of composite laminates, fibre orientation, layup sequences, tooling and manufacturing defects.
* Experience with CAM/toolpath development, process troubleshooting and technical documentation.
* Ability to work hands-on with equipment, conduct trials and solve manufacturing problems. Strongly Preferred
* Experience commissioning or accepting an AFP/ATL machine.
* Experience with robotic AFP systems, industrial robot programming and multi-axis motion.
* AddPath CAM, Fibersim,



CATIA composites or equivalent software experience.
* Experience with carbon-fibre towpreg and thermoset composite manufacturing.
* Familiarity with cure-cycle control, composite inspection and process qualification.
* Exposure to aerospace or defence quality systems, including AS9100D and first-article inspection. Key Deliverables: First 90 Days Days 1–30
* Review equipment configuration, tooling, material specifications and safety requirements.
* Establish a commissioning checklist and identify technical gaps.
* Review coordinate frames, calibration, CAM workflow and machine interfaces. Days 31–60
* Execute approved commissioning and deposition trials.
* Develop and simulate initial toolpaths.
* Document process parameters, defects, corrective actions and trial results. Days 61–90
* Demonstrate repeatable deposition on agreed representative geometries.
* Establish initial controlled manufacturing procedures and process records.
* Present a production-readiness assessment, remaining risks and a validation plan. Deliverables will depend on equipment installation status, material availability and completion of required machine-safety and acceptance activities. Performance Measures
* AFP equipment commissioning and acceptance milestones achieved.
* Successful execution of approved toolpaths and deposition trials.
* Reduction in avoidable placement defects and material waste.
* Repeatability and traceability of manufacturing processes.
* Quality and completeness of manufacturing documentation.
* Readiness of the process for the next stage of product validation. Candidate Profile We are looking for a practical, detail-oriented engineer who can work across software, robotics, materials and manufacturing. The ideal candidate has personally solved AFP/ATL manufacturing problems and can translate engineering requirements into a controlled, repeatable production process. Candidates whose experience is limited to conventional robot programming, general CAD design or manual composite layup without relevant automation experience may not be suitable. Application: Submit your CV with details of AFP/ATL equipment used, programming and CAM tools, commissioning experience, composite materials handled and specific manufacturing projects delivered. DANTA INNOVATIONS PRIVATE LIMITED Advanced Composites | Automated Manufacturing | Defence & Aerospace

📌 Senior AFP Manufacturing Engineer – Automated Fiber Placement (Bengaluru)
🏢 DANTA INNOVATIONS
📍 Bengaluru