Aerospace R&D Engineer: Front-End Innovation & Prototyping

Belcan; Carson City (NV); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Tuition assistance

Retirement plan

Job summary

Belcan is seeking an experienced R&D Engineer III for a direct-hire opportunity to lead front-end research and product development in adhesive bonding, coatings, and advanced materials. You will turn difficult technical problems into validated solutions, from concept through testing and qualification, with hands-on prototyping and test execution.

The role emphasizes ownership, collaboration across disciplines, and delivering measurable results for aerospace, defense, and high-reliability

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, materials science, chemistry, or related field.
• 5+ years in applied R&D, product development, or materials development.
• Ownership of a new product or technology from concept to validated result.
• Hands-on experience with adhesives, coatings, polymers, composites, or advanced materials.
• Ability to write clear requirements and reports.

Responsibilities

• Lead applied R&D projects on aerospace fasteners, adhesive bonding, coatings, and advanced materials.
• Translate customer needs into product requirements and project plans.
• Research materials and emerging technologies for feasibility.
• Design and prototype new concepts and test articles.
• Develop test plans, collect data, and perform statistical analysis.
• Analyze results, investigate failures, and drive design improvements.
• Create technical documentation and qualification support.
• Support validation activities for aerospace/high-reliability use cases.
• Manage multiple R&D projects with priorities and milestones.
• Collaborate across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, suppliers, and labs.
• Present findings to technical and nontechnical audiences.

Skills

Adhesives

Coatings

Polymers

Composites

Surface preparation

Joining methods

Advanced materials

Test planning

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelors degree in engineering or related field

Tools

CAD

FEA

Simulation software

PLM

Job description

Belcan is seeking an experienced R&D Engineer III for a direct-hire opportunity to lead front-end research and product development in adhesive bonding, coatings, and advanced materials. You will turn difficult technical problems into validated solutions, from concept through testing and qualification, with hands-on prototyping and test execution.

The role emphasizes ownership, collaboration across disciplines, and delivering measurable results for aerospace, defense, and high-reliability