Engineering Specialist, Composites

Job Purpose

The Engineering Specialist with a Composites (Material and Process) focus is responsible for planning, organizing, and overseeing the technical execution of internal and customer funded R&T projects directed toward developing, expanding, and maturing AEC's family of technologies for manufacturing fiber reinforced composites for use in advanced composite structures. A primary responsibility in this position is expanding AEC's range of capabilities to include other manufacturing processes as well material and fiber combinations. The Engineering Specialist is expected to provide technical leadership within the R&T group, to serve as a technical consultant to the entire company, and to participate in technical reviews.

Job Responsibilities

• Identify and lead initiatives to enable and sustain world class technical competency and proficiency of the Research and Development organization as needed to meet company goals.
• Identify advanced technologies and applications for potential business development. Stay abreast of industry trends in technology development and best practices, participate in relevant industry events.
• Contribute tactical effort on specific programs as required. Significant effort is expected for key strategic programs such as:

• Identify and evaluate alternate materials for use in 3D woven/molded composite structures.
• Identify manufacturing processes that will compliment those currently in use at AEC or will expand the range of components which can be fabricated at AEC.
• Establish plans for maturing the technologies identified.

• Provide mentoring and technical leadership; assist in the assessment of technical competencies of the organization, identify skills and training needs and assist in developing and executing plans to address them.
• Collaborate and lead as necessary the design verification and validation process of new products, including material and component testing.
• Establish material characterization and qualification plans in line with certification agencies expectations (e.g., FAA,EASA).
• Design, source, and procure equipment and tooling needed to support new composite parts and manufacturing processes.
• Lead and/or support internally funded, customer funded, and capital expenditure projects from idea phase (project creation) through completion. Must have ability to lead small working team on dedicated project.
• Evaluate the results of computational models and experiments to assess the performance of processes, materials and structures.
• Develop quotations, cost models, and trade studies in support of various business development activities.
• Participate in key customer visits, program team meetings, and activities related to engineering/technical elements of various programs.

Supervisory responsibility: No

Supervisors are responsible for overseeing their work group including but not limited to: formal evaluations/performance management as set out by the organization, recruitment and developing.

Knowledge:

• BS Engineering degree in materials, mechanical, civil, aerospace engineering or equivalent.
  
  
  
  • Advanced degree preferred.
  
  
  
  
• Minimum 7-10 years of experience in aerospace or composite industry engineering, with at least 4 years in area of specialty or equivalent.

Skills:

• High proficiency and demonstrated technical skills related to the design, development, and manufacturing of some or all of the following composite structures and processes:
  
  
  
  • Aerospace primary and secondary composite structures and related manufacturing and processing techniques (i.e. weaving, complex textile preforms, dry or prepreg layup, RTM, VARTM, press molding, autoclave and out-of-autoclave processing, bonding, finishing, assembly).
  
  
  
  
• Proven ability to perform composite performance and process analysis utilizing appropriate design software (e.g. CAD with SolidWorks or Catia, Finite Element Analysis with Abaqus, LS-Dyna, etc., RTM process modeling with PAM-RTM, LIMS, etc., Draping analysis with FiberSim, PAM-FORM, etc.).
• Strong understanding of mechanics and strength of materials.
• Familiarity with methods and analysis of material characterization methods and analysis (i.e. DSC, DMA, rheology, etc.), destructive testing (coupons, sample preparation, component testing), and non-destructive composite test methods (CT scanning, Ultrasonic, laser scanning, etc.)
• Familiarity with new product introduction (NPI) standards, aerospace certification methods, and the development of design allowables.
• Team and people skills, including interpersonal skills that are required to lead, mentor, communicate, and build the technical capabilities of the organization.
• MSOffice proficient; Excellent written and oral communication.

Abilities:

• Proven problem-solving skills in teamwork setting.
• Proven willingness and ability to learn.
• Willingness to perform "hands-on" work in a dynamic setting.
• Action Oriented; Results Driven; Strong Decision-making and Customer Focus.

Working Conditions

Indoor office/manufacturing environment, duties performed indoors, adequate lighting and comfortable temperatures. Occasional exposure to moderate noise and machinery with mechanical moving parts. Ability to work 24/7 schedule and be available as business situations required. Occasional travel may be required.

Physical requirements

Occasionally positions self to move an office item >10 lbs.

Frequently move about the production floor and office area to attend meetings or trainings.

Must be able to remain in a stationary position up to 75% of the time.
Frequently operates on a computer.