Composites Manufacturing Specialist Engineer

About the Role

We are supporting an international high-technology engineering organization developing advanced products and systems for demanding applications.

We are looking for a Composites Manufacturing Specialist Engineer to join its manufacturing engineering organization. The successful candidate will support the development, industrialization, qualification, and continuous improvement of composite materials and manufacturing processes, with a strong focus on prepreg technologies.

This position combines hands-on manufacturing engineering with materials and process expertise and will work closely with engineering, production, quality, supply chain, and external suppliers.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain engineering specifications for hand lay-up manufacturing processes for prepreg composite components.
• Define manufacturing routing sheets for prepreg parts in accordance with applicable engineering specifications.
• Establish, document, and control prepreg material handling requirements, including out-time tracking, storage conditions, material lot traceability, and shelf-life management.
• Lead and support new-part qualification activities, including definition of first-article build plans, preparation of process documentation, and support during qualification inspections.
• Develop, evaluate, and validate new composite manufacturing processes before their release to production, including lay-up configurations, cure cycles, and vacuum bagging techniques.
• Coordinate with new material and manufacturing process suppliers, establishing evaluation criteria, overseeing sample testing, and verifying compliance with applicable technical specifications.
• Support the introduction, transition, and qualification of automated composite manufacturing technologies, particularly Automated Fiber Placement (AFP), including technical comparison and benchmarking against manual manufacturing processes.
• Define, update, and maintain routing sheets, work instructions, and manufacturing/process documentation for new and existing components and processes.
• Define ply kit requirements based on engineering ply books and established lay-up sequences.
• Provide engineering disposition and technical support for SCSRs and manufacturing non-conformances, including containment activities and corrective-action follow-up.
• Capture and document lessons learned from manufacturing and qualification activities.
• Update work instructions and process documentation as new components, manufacturing processes, materials, or suppliers are introduced and qualified.

Education

Bachelor's degree in a closely related engineering discipline:

Experience

• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in composite manufacturing, with the required level of experience depending on the seniority of the position.
• Practical knowledge of composite manufacturing processes and materials.
• Experience working with prepreg composite materials and manufacturing processes.
• Understanding of manufacturing documentation, engineering specifications, and process control.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant engineering discipline.
• Previous experience within the aerospace sector or another highly regulated, advanced engineering environment.

Technical Expertise

The ideal candidate will have knowledge and/or hands-on experience in:

• Prepreg composite manufacturing
• Hand lay-up processes
• Composite material handling and control
• Prepreg out-time and shelf-life management
• Lay-up configurations and ply sequences
• Ply books and ply kit definition
• Vacuum bagging techniques
• Composite cure cycles
• Automated Fiber Placement (AFP)
• First Article and new-part qualification
• Manufacturing process development and validation
• Engineering specifications
• Manufacturing routing sheets
• Work instructions and process documentation
• Material and process supplier qualification
• Non-conformance evaluation and engineering disposition
• Corrective-action follow-up

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail, particularly when working with controlled manufacturing processes and technical documentation.
• Ability to collaborate effectively within cross-functional engineering and manufacturing teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, technical activities, and priorities simultaneously.
• Structured and quality-oriented approach to manufacturing engineering.

Physical & Working Requirements

• Ability to work with composite materials and manufacturing processes in an engineering and production environment.
• Ability to use a computer for extended periods.
• Ability to review and work with manufacturing documentation, process instructions, and engineering specifications.