Senior Aerospace Coatings Engineer

Albers Aerospace; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Albers Aerospace in Cincinnati is seeking an experienced Aerospace Coatings Engineer to design, test, and optimize protective finishes for jet engine components. You will select coatings, manage application processes, and ensure compliance with military and aviation safety standards.

In this hands-on role, you will work with APS and EBPVD techniques, program FANUC robotic systems, perform coating qualification tests, and contribute to technical reports and program proposals while maintaining a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Science, or field related to aerospace coatings.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in aerospace structural analysis and design, preferably in aerospace or defense or a closely related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Design, test, and optimize protective finishes for aerospace engine parts.
• Develop and implement coating application processes (APS, EBPVD, curing).
• Perform oxidation, thermal shock, wear, and salt-spray tests to qualify coatings.
• Troubleshoot coating defects and apply Lean Six Sigma to improve yields.
• Ensure environmental and aerospace safety compliance.
• Program and calibrate automated coating systems (e.g., FANUC).
• Draft repair instructions per 14 CFR and coordinate with DERs.
• Contribute to technical reports and proposals.

Skills

CAD tools

FEA software

Defense environment

Hands-on lab work

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering

Master’s degree

Tools

SolidWorks

NX

FEA software

Job description

Our core competencies include systems engineering, program management, logistics, production support, aircraft maintenance, and aviation/aerospace services. We were founded in 2015 and since our establishment, we have been attracting the best talent in our fields of interest enabling us to provide cutting-edge solutions and support to our warfighters. We understand and provide expert consultation on weapons systems acquisition programs, maintenance/modernization programs, and sustainment programs. We know defense and we know aircraft systems.

We are seeking an experienced and highly collaborative Aerospace Coatings Engineer to join our advanced jet propulsion team. In this role, you will design, test, and optimize protective and functional finishes for aerospace engine parts. You will develop and implement solutions that shield components from extreme heat, corrosion, and wear, manage application processes, and ensure compliance with strict military and aviation safety standards.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Material Selection & Design: Choose or formulate specialized paints, primers, thermal barrier coatings, and diffusion layers for metal and composite substrates.
• Process Engineering: Develop and refine manual or automated spray application, curing methods (such as infrared curing), and surface preparation steps.
• Testing & Qualification: Run performance tests for oxidation, thermal shock, mechanical wear, and salt-spray corrosion to qualify new coating systems.
• Quality & Defect Troubleshooting: Investigate coating failures, reduce porosity or delamination defects, and apply Lean or Six Sigma tools to improve first-time yields.
• Regulatory Compliance: Make sure finishes meet environmental rules, chrome-replacement mandates, and aerospace specifications.
• Process Development: Create, optimize, and maintain specialized finishing techniques such as Air Plasma Spray (APS) or Electron Beam Physical Vapor Deposition (EBPVD).
• Robotics & Tooling: Program and calibrate automated and robotic coating systems, such as FANUC setups, for turbine and engine components.
• Testing & Inspection: Use dimensional tools, XRF analyzers, hardness testers, and CMM equipment to evaluate alloy composition and coating thickness.
• Repair & Compliance: Draft technical repair instructions in line with 14 CFR regulations (such as Parts 25, 43, and 145) and coordinate with FAA-designated engineering representatives (DERs).
• Root-Cause Analysis: Troubleshoot delamination, thermal shock failure, or surface porosity, applying corrective actions to boost production yields.
• Contribute to technical reports, proposal efforts, and technical planning for new programs.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Represent Albers Aerospace on-site at the customer facility
• Mentor and manage onboarding activities for new team members.
• Support the development of training products and present training
• May lead small engineering teams to support larger projects.

Note: The duties and responsibilities described on this document are not necessarily a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time. The scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Strong proficiency in CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks, NX)
• Proficiency with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software and classical hand-calculation methods
• Familiarity with environmental and durability requirements for defense systems
• Ability to work hands-on in a lab or integration environment
• U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain/hold a security clearance

Desired Skills/Abilities:

• Familiarity with project management principles (although this position requires daily Aerospace Coatings expertise and technical execution)

Education, Experience and Certifications Required:

Minimum:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Science, or field related to aerospace coatings.
• 5+ years of experience in aerospace structural analysis and design, preferably in aerospace or defense or a closely related discipline.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Science, or a discipline closely related to aerospace coatings.
• 8+ years of experiencein the field or related area
• Active security clearance

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• While primarily an office job, may require time at a manufacturing facility or other location
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times
• CONUS travel may be required from time to time