Director, Advanced Materials

Cessna Aircraft Company; Wilmington (MA); On-site; USD 181,800 - 280,800; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Work Schedules

Education Assistance

Wellness Program

Medical, Dental, Vision & 401(K) with Company Funding

Job summary

Cessna Aircraft Company is looking for a Director of Advanced Materials to lead a high-performing team focused on developing advanced materials for hypersonic applications. This role requires strong leadership and technical skills and involves driving strategic initiatives.

Applicants should have significant experience in materials engineering, specifically in high-temperature environments. The position demands excellent communication abilities and a commitment to excellence in program execution.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 15 years of relevant experience with a BS, or 10+ years with an MS/Ph.D.
• Experience leading advanced materials development programs.
• Knowledge of ITAR/EAR, AS9100, and quality frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team focused on advanced materials for hypersonic applications.
• Drive proposal development for DoD opportunities.
• Ensure program execution excellence and compliance with quality requirements.

Skills

Strong communication and presentation skills

Experience designing advanced material systems

Hands-on experience with composite material development

Ability to lead diverse teams

Knowledge of additive manufacturing

Education

BS in Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field

MS or Ph.D. strongly preferred

Tools

Physics-based modeling tools

Mathematical simulations

Job description

Overview

Job Description - Director, Advanced Materials (342457)

Textron Systems is part of Textron, a $14 billion, multi-industry company employing 35,000 talented makers, thinkers, creators and doers worldwide. We make things that fly, hover, zoom and launch. Things that move people. Protect soldiers. Power industries. We serve customers in industries spanning aerospace and defense, specialized vehicles, turf care and fuel systems.

This role is in Textron System’s Weapon Systems business area. Visit TextronSystems.com & Lycoming.com to read more about who we are and the products we make!

Position Overview

The Director of Advanced Materials & Hypersonics will lead a high-performing team of engineers and material scientists focused on the development, qualification, and transition of advanced composite materials and manufacturing processes for ultra-high-temperature reentry and hypersonic applications. This role requires a forward-looking technical leader capable of guiding strategic R&D initiatives, building strong customer relationships across the DoD community, and driving execution excellence from concept through deployment.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the development of advanced materials, thermal protection systems, and high-temperature composite structures supporting hypersonic and reentry programs.
• Oversee all phases of material and process development, including concept exploration, architecture definition, design/build/test cycles, qualification, and transition to production.
• Lead a multidisciplinary engineering and materials science team, ensuring strong collaboration, technical rigor, and professional development.
• Engage with DoD customers, national laboratories, and industry partners to shape program requirements, influence technology roadmaps, and ensure alignment with mission priorities.
• Drive proposal development, including technical volumes, cost strategies, and program execution plans for competitive DoD opportunities.
• Ensure program execution excellence with attention to schedule, risk management, cost performance, and compliance with quality and security requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to interface effectively with senior leadership, government stakeholders, and technical teams.
• Demonstrated experience designing or architecting advanced material systems for high-temperature flight environments, including strategic reentry and hypersonic applications.
• Hands-on experience with composite material development and the design/build/test lifecycle.
• Proven ability to lead diverse, multifunctional teams in a highly technical environment.
• US citizenship and ability to obtain at least a Secret security clearance.

Technical Expertise (Highly Desired)

• Deep understanding of carbon/carbon, ceramic matrix composites, polymer matrix composites, and related high-temperature systems.
• Experience with thermal protection systems, high-temperature materials testing, ablation behavior, and densification processes.
• Knowledge of additive manufacturing approaches relevant to extreme-environment materials.
• Familiarity with multidirectional weaving technologies.
• Experience with physics-based modeling, mathematical simulations, and performance prediction tools.

Additional Leadership & Strategic Skills

• Experience engaging with DoD S&T organizations such as AFRL, DARPA, MDA, ARL and ONR.
• Ability to develop technology roadmaps and long-term investment strategies aligned with customer mission needs.
• Strong business development skills, including shaping opportunities, building customer relationships, and developing competitive proposals.
• Knowledge of ITAR/EAR, AS9100, and other quality and compliance frameworks.
• Ability to lead in fast-paced, ambiguous environments while balancing near-term execution with long-term strategic goals.

Education & Experience

BS in Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field required; MS or Ph.D. strongly preferred.

Minimum of 15 years of relevant experience with a BS, or 10+ years with an MS/Ph.D., including leadership of advanced materials development programs.

How We Care

At Textron Systems, our talented people make us successful.We promote an inclusive environment where we value individuality, differences, and unique perspectives.

Our Company is committed to offering employees opportunities to grow and develop. Our benefits and compensation packages are designed to help our talented employees excel and achieve their goals, so they can make a difference every day in and outside of the workplace. Below are just a few examples!

• Flexible Work Schedules
• Education Assistance
• Wellness Program (including Fitness Reimbursement)
• Medical, Dental, Vision & 401(K) with Company Funding

Are you a Military Veteran?

Textron's products and services are trusted everyday by those who protect our country. We are dedicated to hiring these Veterans and aim to translate their skills to make an impact on our Company.

Textron’s compensation package includes competitive base pay and provides eligible employees with benefit programs. Benefits may include health insurance and prescription plan coverage, dental insurance, family building benefits, vision insurance, mental health resources, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and programs that provide employees time away from work. The pay range should be used as a general guide only. Compensation is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations. In compliance with the local pay transparency law, the pay range for this position is $181,800 - $280,800 per year.

EEO Statement

Textron is committed to providing Equal Opportunity in Employment, to all applicants and employees regardless of race, color, religion, age, national origin, military status, veteran status, disability, sex (including pregnancy and sexual orientation), genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.