Composite M&P Engineer I

Firefly Aerospace; United States; On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Parental leave

Relocation benefits

Educational reimbursement

Short term disability

Flexible PTO

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace in Briggs, TX, is seeking a Composite M&P Engineer I to join the Advanced Materials team. You will evaluate carbon fiber composites and adhesives, perform material testing and failure analysis, and support manufacturing with process and specification improvements.

The role emphasizes cross-disciplinary collaboration, data-driven decisions, and timely solutions to meet project objectives. Travel up to 10% to customer sites is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Engineering, Polymer Science, Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
• Experience in polymeric materials research, testing or manufacturing.
• Knowledge of composite material processes and aerospace applications.

Responsibilities

• Research and select composite materials and processes for structural applications.
• Perform material testing, evaluations, microscopy, and failure analysis.
• Execute characterization and allowable campaigns.
• Develop and maintain materials specifications and support design/manufacturing teams.
• Support RCCA and root-cause analysis for material failures.
• Provide technical consulting for unplanned critical needs with focus on quality and reliability.
• Improve processes using test data and NDE feedback.

Skills

Composite materials

Failure analysis

Material testing

Nonmetallic materials

Microscopy

Adhesives

Data analysis

Technical writing

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Materials Engineering, Polymer Science, Mechanical Engineering or equivalent

Tools

Laboratory testing methods

ASTM/ISO standards knowledge

Job description

ABOUT FIREFLY AEROSPACE

Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company that enables our world to launch, land, and operate in space – anywhere, anytime. As the partner of choice for critical space missions, Firefly is the only commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24-hour notice and the only company to achieve a successful Moon landing. Our launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles provide government and commercial customers with full mission services from low Earth orbit to the Moon and beyond. Headquartered in north Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space.

SUMMARY

The Composite M&P Engineer I will apply their broad technical knowledge and experience to support design, manufacturing, testing and R&D projects. The candidate must be innovative and a self-starter who works well in a team environment and has excellent interpersonal skills. The candidate will form an integral part of the advanced materials department, a team of engineers and technicians that are a focal for material related support for the company. The candidate will serve as a materials engineer focusing on nonmetallic materials including carbon fiber composites and various adhesives. The candidate will be expected to evaluate new materials, perform failure analysis, provide technical support to our internal and external customers, and provide innovative and timely solutions to meet company objectives. This engineer must identify opportunities for improvement, review solutions with relevant stakeholders, and take action to drive any improvements to completion with minimal supervision. This role is located at our manufacturing and test site in Briggs, TX, north of Cedar Park.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Research and select composite materials and processes for structural applications on existing or new designs.
• Perform related material testing and evaluations, such as microscopy, failure analysis, thermal analysis techniques and mechanical testing.
• Execute characterization and allowable campaigns.
• Develop, implement and maintain materials and processes technical specifications.
• Provide technical support for manufacturing and design teams in the areas of non-metallic material and processes selection and optimization, qualification, and inspection that impact product quality, reliability, durability, and capability.
• Support material failure analysis and root cause corrective actions (RCCA).
• While maintaining focus on quality, reliability, performance, cost and development predictability; provide consulting and support for unplanned critical needs.
• Develop and implement improved process control where possible using test and NDE results as a feedback loop.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelors degree in Materials Engineering, Polymer Science, Mechanical Engineering or equivalent Engineering/Science role.
• Experience in polymeric materials research, testing or manufacturing.
• Broad technical understanding of several composite material processes and operations including, but not limited to, out-of-autoclave processes, composites and polymer joining and surface engineering for aerospace applications.
• A desire to establish and foster strong interdisciplinary relationships across the company.
• Experienced in coordinating and conducting laboratory work and data analysis to drive technical materials engineering decisions.
• Ability to travel to customers and other Firefly sites up to 10% of the time.

Desired

• Advanced degrees in Materials Engineering, Polymer Science, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience with emphasis on Composite materials.
• 1+ years of experience in carbon fiber composite materials research, testing, processes or manufacturing.
• Direct experience in carbon fiber prepreg systems.
• Prior knowledge of structural composite characterization, testing standards and processing.
• Prior knowledge in material testing, (Mechanical, thermal, microscopy, NDE, failure mode & root cause analysis), data analysis and technical writing.
• Experience working with industry standards, such as ASTM, ASM, NASA and ISO, and their uses, limitations, and applications.
• Working knowledge of materials process technologies and their impact on material behavior and product performance (Process-Property-Performance relationships).
• Track record of innovation and delivering strategic business results in the context of materials engineering solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to organize technical theories and develop testing methods, correlate material properties with product performance and predict various failure modes

Firefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, relocation benefits, educational reimbursement, short term disability, and flexible PTO options.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firefly is governed based on merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company that enables our world to launch, land, and operate in space – anywhere, anytime. As the partner of choice for critical space missions, Firefly is the only commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24-hour notice and the only company to achieve a successful Moon landing. Our launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles provide government and commercial customers with full mission services from low Earth orbit to the Moon and beyond. Headquartered in north Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space.