Advanced Product Development and Research Engineer - Advanced Composites Engineer - Spirit AeroSystems

As one of the world’s leading designers and manufacturers of aerostructures, Spirit AeroSystems provides products and solutions for both commercial and defense customers. From today's largest passenger jet to tomorrow's urban air vehicles, Spirit's advanced design, analysis, manufacturing, inspection, and testing experts cover all aspects of product development.

With headquarters in Wichita, Kansas, Spirit operates sites in the U.S., U.K., France, and Malaysia. The company's core products include fuselages, pylons, nacelles and wing components for the world's premier aircraft. Spirit AeroSystems creates affordable, innovative composite and metallic manufacturing solutions to support customers around the globe.

Spirit continues to win new business with exciting and innovative companies across all segments with a focus on our expanding portfolio of defense work. Preparing for the recovery of the aviation market, Spirit continues to invest in efficiency improvements to make its operations safer, more agile and environmentally sustainable. And, Spirit has kept its focus on the company’s core values – Transparency, Collaboration and Inspiration – as it continues building an inclusive culture where everyone has the opportunity to contribute.

Senior Composites Research, Development and Technology Engineer provides leadership, project planning, and portfolio development expertise to a team of R&D engineers. Develops innovative solutions for advanced composites manufacturing processes and technologies.

Senior composite engineer will work and lead a cross-functional team of engineers and analysts to develop materials, manufacturing processes, and designs for cutting-edge development projects, in support of NASA, DoD, DoE and other government contracted programs.

Work Location: Wichita, KS

Key Responsibilities:

· Develop new product configurations, designs, manufacturing processes and advanced technologies for new aerostructures.

· Define and perform research programs to mature concepts, technologies and processes. Perform trade studies for design and manufacturing alternatives.

· Progress concept through initial configuration, prototyping, risk reduction and mature technology readiness and manufacturing readiness levels (TRL / MRL).

· Produce tooling and composite manufacturing definition for test and demonstration articles and implement in a production representative environment.

· Create proposals and plans for future work packages, i.e. bid and proposal. Define necessary resources and development plans.

· Manage collaborative research with external suppliers.

· Provide project management expertise to plan, status, and achieve key milestones

· Create technical roadmaps and project plans to achieve short- and long-term technology development objectives.

· Provide technical leadership to team of engineers and technicians: review project plans, test plans, test reports; provide work statements.

Required Skills:

· Subject Matter Expert for advanced and next generation thermoset/thermoplastic composite materials and manufacturing processes.

· Experience in composite manufacturing processes like Automated Fiber Placement, infusion processes such as Resin Transfer Molding (RTM), Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) etc.

Qualifications:

· Requires 9 to 13 years of experience with a Bachelor’s degree; 7 to 11 years of experience with Master’s degree; 4 to 8 years of experience with PhD from an ABET-accredited engineering program is required.

·Candidate must meet Export Control compliance requirements, therefore a “US Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 is required. “US Person” includes US Citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.  

Keywords: Thermoset, Thermoplastic, Epoxy, Carbon, AFP, RTM, VARTM, SCRIMP

Spirit AeroSystems is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected factor under federal, state or local law.

Kansas Tax Credit: Join Spirit AeroSystems’ Kansas team and you may be eligible for a $5,000 state of Kansas Aviation tax credit for up to five years. Click here for more information on the tax credit.

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