Composite Cure Process Engineer

April Quest Ltd; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

April Quest Ltd is seeking a Cure Process Engineer to own composite curing, consolidation and forming processes in a growing aerospace environment. You will drive tooling, equipment and process improvements, enabling scalable, production-ready manufacturing as new programmes move to production.

With 5+ years in aerospace curing and a solid grasp of thermoset/thermoplastic composites, you will influence autoclave/oven curing, VBO, compression moulding, bladder moulding and stamp forming.

Qualifications

• 5+ years' experience in aerospace curing, consolidation and forming.
• Knowledge of thermoset and thermoplastic composites.
• Experience with autoclave/oven curing, VBO, compression moulding, bladder moulding or stamp forming.

Responsibilities

• Act as the technical subject matter expert for composite curing, consolidation and forming processes.
• Develop, optimise and standardise cure processes across aerospace composite manufacturing operations.
• Work with processes including oven cure, vacuum bag-only (VBO), bladder moulding, compression moulding, trapped rubber moulding and stamp forming.
• Lead technical investigations, root-cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop and introduce new tooling, equipment, materials and manufacturing technologies.
• Support new product introduction and industrialisation, ensuring manufacturing processes are scalable, repeatable and production-ready.
• Work closely with R&D, Design, Manufacturing, Quality and Operations teams.
• Support the transition towards greater automation and advanced composite manufacturing methods.

Skills

Aerospace curing processes

Composite materials knowledge

Root-cause analysis

Automation awareness

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent

Tools

PFMEA

Autoclave equipment

VBO tooling

Compression moulding tooling

Job description

We're working with an established aerospace composites manufacturer that's making a significant investment in advanced manufacturing, automation and next-generation aerospace technologies.

As part of this growth, they're building out their engineering capability and looking for an experienced Cure Process Engineer to take technical ownership of composite curing, consolidation and forming processes.

This is an opportunity to do more than support existing production. You'll help develop new manufacturing technologies, introduce advanced processes and influence how complex composite structures are manufactured as new aerospace programmes move from development into production.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the technical subject matter expert for composite curing, consolidation and forming processes.
• Develop, optimise and standardise cure processes across aerospace composite manufacturing operations.
• Work with processes including oven cure, vacuum bag-only (VBO), bladder moulding, compression moulding, trapped rubber moulding and stamp forming.
• Lead technical investigations, root-cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop and introduce new tooling, equipment, materials and manufacturing technologies.
• Support new product introduction and industrialisation, ensuring manufacturing processes are scalable, repeatable and production-ready.
• Work closely with R&D, Design, Manufacturing, Quality and Operations teams.
• Support the transition towards greater automation and advanced composite manufacturing methods.

What We're Looking For

• 5+ years' experience in aerospace composite curing, consolidation and forming processes.
• Strong understanding of thermoset and thermoplastic composites.
• Experience with several composite manufacturing techniques, such as autoclave/oven curing, VBO, compression moulding, bladder moulding or stamp forming.
• Proven experience developing, improving or troubleshooting composite manufacturing processes.
• Knowledge of process qualification, root-cause analysis, PFMEA and continuous improvement.
• Experience introducing new manufacturing processes, equipment or technologies.
• Engineering degree or equivalent relevant industry experience.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Significant investment and growth – join an established aerospace manufacturer expanding its advanced engineering and manufacturing capabilities.
• Exciting technologies – exposure to next‑generation aerospace, defence and emerging aircraft applications.
• Technical ownership – become a key specialist influencing how composite manufacturing processes are developed and implemented.
• Innovation and automation – help introduce new technologies rather than simply maintaining established production methods.
• Career development – join a growing engineering organisation with opportunities to influence future manufacturing strategy.