Aerospace Composites R&D Engineer

M4 Engineering; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

M4 Engineering in Long Beach, CA seeks an experienced R&D Composite Engineer to support cross‑site aerospace programs. You will take composite structures from concept to prototype, owning technical and schedule aspects of programs while working across our Long Beach team and the M4 Phoenix Technology Works shop in Maricopa, AZ.

You will design and lay up composites, develop cure cycles for prepregs and infusion, and oversee prototype builds and test hardware.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related field.
• Hands-on experience designing and fabricating composite structures.
• Experience building and testing prototype or demonstrator hardware.
• CAD experience with SolidWorks, NX, or CATIA.

Responsibilities

• Design composite structures and components using CAD from concept through fabrication data packages.
• Develop layup schedules, tooling concepts, and cure cycles for prepregs and infusion processes.
• Build or oversee prototype and test hardware, including layup, bonding, trimming, and assembly.
• Plan and execute test articles and demonstrator hardware with fabrication and test support.
• Own program schedule, budget, and deliverables for R&D and prototyping efforts.
• Coordinate with customers, suppliers, and vendors on requirements, materials, and procurement.
• Troubleshoot issues on the shop floor and iterate between design and fabrication.
• Support structural analysis and testing to verify designs during fabrication.
• Document processes and data in accordance with AS9100D quality requirements.
• Mentor technicians and junior engineers on composite design and fabrication best practices.

Skills

Composite design

Prototype fabrication

CAD (SolidWorks/NX/CATIA)

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related field

Tools

AS9100D

Job description

An R&D Composite Engineer is needed to support M4’s growing composite design and manufacturing capability, working across both our Long Beach engineering team and our M4 Phoenix Technology Works (M4PTW) composite shop in Maricopa, AZ (AS9100D certified). This is a hands‑on role for an engineer who is as comfortable at a CAD terminal as they are laying up a part, building a tool, or running a test article through its first flight or load cycle. You will take composite structures from concept through prototype, own the technical and schedule side of your programs, and work independently with minimal oversight. This individual will have primary responsibility for supporting a wide range of aerospace programs, from early concept studies through fabrication of flight and test hardware.

Responsibilities

• Design composite structures and components using CAD, from concept through detailed drawings and fabrication data packages
• Develop and refine composite layup schedules, tooling concepts, and cure cycles for prepreg, wet layup, and infusion processes
• Build, or directly oversee the build of, prototype and test hardware, including hands‑on layup, bonding, trimming, and assembly work in the shop
• Plan and execute test articles and demonstrator hardware, coordinating fabrication, instrumentation, and test support
• Own program schedule, budget, and deliverables for assigned R&D and prototyping efforts, reporting status to program and company leadership
• Coordinate directly with customers, suppliers, and vendors on technical requirements, materials, and procurement
• Troubleshoot manufacturing and design issues on the shop floor and iterate quickly between design and fabrication
• Support structural analysis and testing to verify designs prior to and during fabrication
• Document processes, travelers, and technical data in accordance with AS9100D quality requirements
• Mentor technicians and junior engineers on composite design and fabrication best practices

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related technical field
• Demonstrated hands‑on experience designing and fabricating composite structures (prepreg, wet layup, and/or infusion). This is not a design‑only or shop‑only role
• Experience building and testing prototype or demonstrator hardware, ideally in an aerospace, UAV, or similarly weight‑and performance‑driven environment
• Working knowledge of composite tooling design and fabrication
• Proven ability to manage program scope, schedule, and budget with minimal supervision
• CAD experience required (SolidWorks, NX, or CATIA)
• Comfortable working independently and self‑directing priorities in a fast‑moving, small‑company environment
• Strong communication skills for interfacing directly with customers and suppliers
• Familiarity with AS9100 / ISO9001 quality standards a plus
• Experience with UAV/drone structures, FEA, or classical hand analysis a plus
• U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident (Green Card) required