Product Development Project Engineer

Rock West Composites; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary Range: $115,000 - $140,000

Employer-Paid Medical & Dental

Annual Bonus Program

401(k) with 5% Match

Employee Stock Option Program

9/80 Work Schedule

Paid Holidays + Generous PTO

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Rock West Composites is seeking a Product Development Project Engineer to lead program execution and customer success across a business segment in San Diego, CA. You will drive advanced composite development from concept through production transition, working with cross-functional teams and customers to deliver high-performance solutions.

The role requires 5+ years in composites, strong project management, and hands-on materials testing.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of composite materials, processes, or product development.
• Experience developing and fabricating advanced composite hardware.
• Aerospace/space hardware experience preferred; proposal development, pricing, and project cost tracking experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead composite development activities from concept and prototype through testing, first article fabrication, and transition to production.
• Develop material, manufacturing process, and tooling solutions that meet product and structural requirements.
• Apply composite materials and process expertise, including fabrics, fibers, prepregs, wet layup, and infusion.
• Troubleshoot complex technical challenges and apply basic structural analysis to support product development.
• Manage project scope, planning, budgets, schedules, procurement, and technical risks for multiple programs.

Skills

Composite materials

Manufacturing processes

Structural analysis

Microsoft Project

CAD (SolidWorks)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Materials Science, or related field

Advanced technical degree (MS/PhD) with related experience

Tools

SolidWorks

Microsoft Project

Job description

Rock West Composites is seeking a Product Development Project Engineer to lead program execution and customer success across a business segment.

Who We Are:

Rock West Composites designs and manufactures advanced composite solutions that power some of the most demanding aerospace, defense, space, and commercial applications. From concept through production, we help our customers turn complex ideas into high performance products.

As an employee-owned company, we believe our people are our greatest competitive advantage. If you're passionate about innovation, collaboration, and building products that matter, you'll feel right at home here.

Position Summary:

The Senior Project Engineer leads complex product development projects from concept through production transition, applying expertise in composite materials, processes, fabrication, and testing. This role manages technical execution, cost, schedule, and risk while partnering with customers and cross-functional teams to develop innovative composite solutions and support new business opportunities.

What You'll Own

• Advanced composite product and process development
• Project scope, cost, schedule, and technical execution
• Prototype fabrication, testing, and production transition
• Material and manufacturing process selection
• Customer, proposal, and new business support

Essential Functions

Product Development & Engineering

• Lead composite development activities from concept and prototype through testing, first article fabrication, and transition to production.
• Develop material, manufacturing process, and tooling solutions that meet product and structural requirements.
• Apply composite materials and process expertise, including fabrics, fibers, prepregs, wet layup, and infusion.
• Troubleshoot complex technical challenges and apply basic structural analysis to support product development.

Project Management & Testing

• Manage project scope, planning, budgets, schedules, procurement, and technical risks for multiple IRAD and customer-funded programs.
• Develop and maintain project schedules using Microsoft Project while tracking costs, milestones, and deliverables.
• Plan and coordinate materials testing, structural proof testing, thermal cycling, dimensional stability testing, and material database development.
• Communicate project status, technical risks, and required actions across project teams.

Technology & Business Support

• Evaluate emerging composite materials, processes, and technologies to advance Rock West's technical capabilities.
• Partner with Operations and Manufacturing Engineering to transition new products and processes into production and provide technical training and support.
• Support proposals, pricing, customer requirement reviews, and other business development activities.
• Interface directly with customers and help identify new product, technology, and market opportunities.

Non-Essential Functions

• Perform other duties as assigned.

What You Bring

Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Materials Science, or related field with 5+ years of composite materials, processes, or product development experience; an advanced technical degree with relevant experience may also be considered.
• Experience developing and fabricating advanced composite hardware from material/process selection through testing and production transition.
• Aerospace or space hardware experience strongly preferred; proposal development, pricing, and project cost tracking experience is a plus.

Technical Skills:

• Strong knowledge of advanced composite materials, manufacturing processes, tooling, testing, and qualification methods.
• Understanding of project scope, cost, schedule, budgeting, procurement, and technical risk management.
• Working knowledge of basic structural analysis, including stresses, stiffness, and deflections.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Microsoft Project; SolidWorks or similar CAD experience preferred.

Professional Skills

• Strong technical problem-solving and project leadership skills with an innovative, hands-on approach.
• Effective communicator capable of working directly with customers and cross-functional teams.
• Self-motivated and organized with the ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities.
• Strong business acumen with an understanding of how engineering and technology development support company growth.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary Range: $115,000 - $140,000 (based on experience and skillset)
• 100% Employer-Paid Medical & Dental
• Annual Bonus Program
• 401(k) with 5% Match
• Employee Stock Option Program
• 9/80 Work Schedule (every other Friday off)
• Paid Holidays + Generous PTO
• $2,500 Tuition Reimbursement

Equal Opportunity Employer

Rock West Composites is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the company to provide equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, gender, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, transitioning status, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, medical condition, mental disability, physical disability, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law. EEO is the law. We also prohibit compensation discrimination under all applicable laws. Certain positions require meeting the U.S. Person definition in 22 CFR 120.62.

ITAR Requirement

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder) as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. 1158, Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the company’s immigration sponsorship now or in the future. Rock West Composites will not offer immigration sponsorship for this position. Rock West Composites will not seek an export authorization for this role. Rock West Composites maintains a Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace. Depending on state law and the nature of the position, candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment may be required to complete a drug screening. Rock West Composites may also conduct drug and alcohol testing based on reasonable suspicion, post-incident, or for safety-sensitive positions as permitted by law.

Accommodation Notice

If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact 858-537-6260.