Composite Development Engineer

Stealthrocketrystartup; Deutschland; On-site; EUR 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Bonuses

Relocation support

Stock options

Job summary

Stealthrocketrystartup, a Germany-based rocketry startup, seeks a Composite Development Engineer to define material requirements and qualify manufacturing processes for high-performance rocket structures. You will plan and execute coupon-level tests and develop new material systems for reliable design values.

The role emphasizes hands-on lab work, material-property validation on components, and contributing to building a dedicated materials laboratory with strong safety and data practices.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD required in a related field.
• 2–5 years experience with composite materials.
• Enjoy practical lab work including specimen preparation and testing.
• Experience handling resins and chemicals safely.
• Fluent English and ability to communicate technical results clearly.

Responsibilities

• Define material requirements based on system, component, manufacturing, and structural interfaces.
• Select composite material systems and qualify suitable manufacturing processes.
• Plan and run coupon-level characterisation campaigns, from specimen preparation and testing through to usable design values.
• Develop and characterize new material systems and processing methods.
• Validate material properties on manufactured components and feed results back into design and analysis.
• Help develop the materials laboratory, including procedures, safety practices, equipment capability, and material-handling standards.

Skills

Composite materials experience

Laboratory work

Data quality & documentation

English fluency

Procedures development

Education

Master's degree or PhD in materials science / aerospace / mechanical engineering

Tools

DSC

DMA

Tensile-test systems

Microscopy

Job description

We are looking for a Composite Development Engineer to build the material foundation of our rocket structures and generate material data that design and analysis can trust.

You will work across material selection, process development, specimen preparation, laboratory testing, and component validation. Your work will ensure that material properties are measured on the materials we use, made with the processes we intend to employ, and suitable for real engineering decisions.

About usWe’re a Germany-based rocketry startup currently in stealth mode, scaling up rapidly to meet the demand for high-performance, reliable, and scalable solid propulsion technologies for space and defense applications.

We are already launching suborbital and ballistic rockets on a regular basis, have just crossed €10m in revenue for our first operating year and are applying our knowledge toward the development of an orbital rocket.

We are working hard to build something truly spectacular.

To thrive here you will need to be comfortable working at pace, with the autonomy to make decisions and execute on them quickly. If you're excited by hard technical challenges and want a role where you will make a real difference each day to the future of the company, we may be the place for you.

At our company, job titles and career progression are earned, not determined by years of experience alone. They reflect the responsibility you take on and the dedication you bring to each project. If you're ready to rise to the challenge, we'd love to hear from you.

Key responsibilities

• Define material requirements based on system, component, manufacturing, and structural interfaces.
• Select composite material systems and qualify suitable manufacturing processes.
• Plan and run coupon-level characterisation campaigns, from specimen preparation and testing through to usable design values.
• Develop and characterize new material systems and processing methods.
• Validate material properties on manufactured components and feed results back into design and analysis.
• Help develop the materials laboratory, including procedures, safety practices, equipment capability, and material-handling standards.

What we are looking for

• A Master's degree or PhD in materials science, aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related discipline.
• Two to five years of experience working with composite materials; strong student-team experience will also be considered.
• Genuine enjoyment of practical laboratory work, including specimen preparation, testing, and fixture troubleshooting.
• Experience handling resins and chemicals safely, with the ability to develop procedures where they do not yet exist.
• A methodical approach to experimental work, measurement, documentation, and data quality.
• Fluent English and the ability to communicate technical results clearly.

Desirable experience

• Carbon-fibre materials, resin systems, prepregs, laminates, or other aerospace composites.
• Composite test standards, including ASTM, ISO, or equivalent methods.
• Laboratory equipment such as DSC, DMA, tensile-test systems, microscopy, or similar materials-characterisation equipment.
• Working proficiency in German.

Benefits and important information

• We offer top-decile compensation packages, bonuses and meaningful equity, to attract exceptional aerospace talent.
• Every employee is awarded stock options in the company, you will directly benefit from your own hard work and success.
• Comprehensive relocation support including flights, shipping and visas.
• Lunch, dinner and drinks provided everyday
• Free access to shared company housing

Please note, we are a fast paced, hyper-scaling startup. You will need to be comfortable working extended hours with high levels of autonomy, ownership, and flexibility, with contracts structured around a 48-hour working week.

We are committed to building an equitable and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, has equal access to opportunity, and can thrive. We welcome different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences—and believe our differences make us stronger.

Please submit applications in English

Compensation: €75K - €85K Offers Equity Offers Bonus