Lead Composite Engineer – Nuclear & Aerospace Tech

BWX Technologies, Inc.; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 99,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and benefits

Flexible work schedules

Professional development and mentoring

Job summary

BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT) is seeking a seasoned Composite Engineer and Team Lead for its Oak Ridge, Tennessee Enrichment Operations site.

You will guide design, analysis, and fabrication across the BWXT portion of the DUECE centrifuge program in a high‑security DOE/NNSA environment. You will develop composite structures for prototype, demonstrator, and production hardware, collaborating with mechanical, materials, manufacturing, and test teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field.
• 10+ years experience with composite materials, aerospace composite structures, or advanced composite components (or 5+ years with MS).
• Experience with composite laminate design, ply-book development, and multi-physics structural evaluation.
• Hands-on experience with autoclave layup, AFP/ATL, RTM/VARTM, or resin infusion manufacturing techniques.
• Proficiency with CAD/FEA tools such as CATIA, NX, SolidWorks, Abaqus, ANSYS, or Nastran.
• Ability to generate high-quality engineering documentation.
• Must be a U.S. citizen with ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead composite design, analysis, and development, owning all composite structure deliverables.
• Develop laminate schedules and conduct structural evaluations under mechanical and thermal loads.
• Perform FEA tasks including linear analysis, buckling assessments, failure mode evaluation.
• Drive composite process development including layup planning, cure cycles, AFP/ATL programming, resin infusion strategies.
• Lead trade studies supporting materials selection, structural optimization, and requirements development.
• Coordinate composite manufacturing with internal fabrication teams and external suppliers.
• Support autoclave operations, layup troubleshooting, rework instructions, and shop-floor decision making.
• Contribute to NDI approaches, test planning, data analysis, and corrective action methodologies.
• Prepare documentation for design reviews including PDR, CDR, and manufacturing readiness packages.
• Maintain configuration control, engineering documentation, and compliance with structured engineering processes.
• Provide mentorship and leadership as the Composite Team Lead, ensuring technical quality and knowledge development.

Skills

Composite materials expertise

Structural analysis

Documentation quality

Leadership experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Materials Science

Tools

CATIA

NX

SolidWorks

Abaqus

ANSYS

Nastran

Job description

BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT) is seeking a seasoned Composite Engineer and Team Lead for its Oak Ridge, Tennessee Enrichment Operations site.

You will guide design, analysis, and fabrication across the BWXT portion of the DUECE centrifuge program in a high‑security DOE/NNSA environment. You will develop composite structures for prototype, demonstrator, and production hardware, collaborating with mechanical, materials, manufacturing, and test teams.