Aerospace Composite Design Engineer – NPD/Production

Eleven Recruiting; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Eleven Recruiting is seeking a Composite Design Engineer to join a leading Aerospace client onsite in Santa Ana, CA. The role supports complex composite structures across NPD and NPI programs, focusing on laminate architecture, stack-ups, and manufacturability from concept through production ramp.

The ideal candidate has deep composite experience, strong FEA capability, and hands-on production transition skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field.
• 5+ years of composite structural design experience within aerospace.
• Experience with laminate architecture, ply orientation, and stack-up development.
• Proficiency in CAD modeling and drafting tools (SolidWorks preferred; CATIA/NX acceptable).
• Experience performing and interpreting FEA for composite structures.
• Experience executing NPD/NPI programs from concept through production release.
• Working knowledge of aerospace regulatory standards and quality systems (AS9100).

Responsibilities

• Support the design and development of advanced composite structures meeting performance, weight, cost, and manufacturability requirements.
• Develop laminate architecture, ply books, stack-ups, and layup strategies for loads and manufacturing constraints.
• Perform and present structural analysis (strength, stiffness, fatigue, damage tolerance).
• Create and review 3D models, drawings, and release packages using CAD tools (SolidWorks preferred).
• Design and support composite tooling strategies (autoclave, OOA, RTM).
• Drive DFM initiatives with manufacturing, tooling, quality, and supply chain teams.
• Support prototypes, FAI, and production ramp; resolve issues.
• Contribute to selection of materials and optimization.
• Maintain engineering documentation and config control.
• Support customer tech reviews and certification activities.

Skills

Composite design

FEA analysis

Laminate architecture

Manufacturability awareness

Project management

Communication

Production experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

SolidWorks

CATIA

NX

Job description

Eleven Recruiting is seeking a Composite Design Engineer to join a leading Aerospace client onsite in Santa Ana, CA. The role supports complex composite structures across NPD and NPI programs, focusing on laminate architecture, stack-ups, and manufacturability from concept through production ramp.

The ideal candidate has deep composite experience, strong FEA capability, and hands-on production transition skills.