Composite Engineer

Actalent; Colorado; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Disability insurance

Life insurance

AD&D insurance

401K matching

Paid holidays

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Composite Engineer to design and develop advanced composite structures and in-house manufacturing processes for aerospace applications. The role covers the full lifecycle from concept through launch, including tooling, molding, and testing in a hands-on setting.

Responsibilities include optimizing layup and curing processes, providing laminate design input, and supporting prototype builds and low-rate production while ensuring adherence to aerospace quality standards.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with composite design and manufacturing processes.
• Proficiency in composite laminate design for aerospace structures.
• Experience working with autoclave-based composite processing.
• Background in aerospace engineering or aerospace-related composite applications.
• Ability to develop and refine tooling for composite manufacturing and testing.
• Strong understanding of aerospace quality requirements and standards related to composite structures.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize composite manufacturing processes, including layup, curing, bonding, trimming, and assembly for aerospace applications.
• Provide detailed input on composite laminate design to meet structural, performance, and reliability requirements.
• Develop mechanical tooling and ground support equipment (GSE) systems for composite structure manufacturing and testing.
• Design and oversee fabrication of mold tooling, layup tooling, precision trimming and machining systems, part transfer and handling fixtures, and verification tooling.
• Support prototype builds, first-article manufacturing, and low-rate production, ensuring smooth transition from development to repeatable manufacturing.
• Select and recommend materials for composite layup consumables, such as mold release agents, release films, peel plies, and bagging materials.
• Ensure all composite manufacturing activities comply with internal quality systems and applicable aerospace standards.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to take composite structures from initial concept through product development and readiness for launch.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of composite processes, tooling, and quality controls to enhance efficiency and product performance.

Skills

Composite design

Laminate design

Autoclave processing

Aerospace engineering

Tooling development

Quality standards

Tools

Mold tooling

Layup tooling

Machining systems

Verification tooling

Job description

Job Description

Job Title: Composite Engineer Job Description

The Composite Engineer designs and develops advanced composite structures and manufacturing processes for deployable space systems used on satellites and lunar surface applications. This role covers the full lifecycle of composite products from concept and design through manufacturing, assembly, and preparation for launch, with all composite and mechanical assembly work performed in-house.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize composite manufacturing processes, including layup, curing, bonding, trimming, and assembly for aerospace applications.
• Provide detailed input on composite laminate design to meet structural, performance, and reliability requirements.
• Develop mechanical tooling and ground support equipment (GSE) systems for composite structure manufacturing and testing.
• Design and oversee fabrication of mold tooling, layup tooling, precision trimming and machining systems, part transfer and handling fixtures, and verification tooling.
• Support prototype builds, first-article manufacturing, and low-rate production, ensuring smooth transition from development to repeatable manufacturing.
• Select and recommend materials for composite layup consumables, such as mold release agents, release films, peel plies, and bagging materials.
• Ensure all composite manufacturing activities comply with internal quality systems and applicable aerospace standards.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to take composite structures from initial concept through product development and readiness for launch.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of composite processes, tooling, and quality controls to enhance efficiency and product performance.

Essential Skills

• Hands-on experience with composite design and manufacturing processes, including layup, curing, bonding, trimming, and assembly.
• Proficiency in composite laminate design for aerospace structures.
• Experience working with autoclave-based composite processing.
• Background in aerospace engineering or aerospace-related composite applications.
• Ability to develop and refine tooling for composite manufacturing and testing, including mold and layup tooling.
• Strong understanding of aerospace quality requirements and standards related to composite structures.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with deployable or high-strain composite structures that can fold or roll for compact packaging and deploy in space.
• Familiarity with ground support equipment (GSE) for composite manufacturing and test operations.
• Knowledge of material selection for composite layup consumables, including mold release, release films, peel plies, and bagging materials.
• Interest in cradle-to-grave product development, from concept through manufacturing and preparation for launch.
• Ability to work closely with manufacturing and mechanical assembly teams in an in-house production environment.

Work Environment

This role operates in a manufacturing environment focused on advanced composite structures for space applications. All composite manufacturing and mechanical assembly are performed in-house, providing direct access to production equipment, tooling, and test setups. The work involves close collaboration with engineering and production teams in a hands-on setting where deployable, high-strain composite structures are developed, built, and prepared for space deployment.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Loveland, CO.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $90000.00 - $130000.00/yr.

• Flexible and hybrid work schedules (two or more days in office per week)
• Comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Life, and AD&D insurance
• Opterus pays 100% of employees' premiums and 70% of dependents' premiums
• 401K matching up to 4%
• 9 paid holidays

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Loveland,CO.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 24, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a Cl