Senior Applications Engineer - High Temp Composite Materials

SHD Composite Materials Ltd; Mooresville (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading advanced materials company is seeking a Senior Applications Engineer to support and grow customer programs in aerospace and defense sectors. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in advanced composite materials and be able to liaise effectively between customers and internal teams. Responsibilities include material selection, application support, and technical guidance on various resin systems. This role requires a blend of technical knowledge and strong communication skills to drive successful outcomes in a customer-focused environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of industry experience with advanced composite materials.
• Strong understanding of composite material testing and evaluation.
• Proven ability to balance customer requirements with technical considerations.

Responsibilities

• Act as primary technical interface for high temperature composite materials.
• Provide expert guidance on application and processing of various resin systems.
• Support material evaluation, testing, and certification processes.

Skills

Expertise in advanced composite materials

Hands-on experience with composite resins and prepregs

Ability to communicate complex concepts

Experience in material testing and qualification workflows

Technical training and application support

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Materials Science

Master’s degree or higher in a relevant engineering discipline

Job description

Senior Applications Engineer - High Temp Composite Materials

Location: Onsite at Manufacturing plant - Mooresville, NC US

Work Times: 8:00am to 4:30pm (Monday to Friday). A degree of flexibility will be needed at peak periods.

Person Specification

We are seeking a Senior Applications Engineer with deep expertise in advanced composite materials to support and grow customer programs across aerospace, defense, motorsport, oil & gas, and emerging mobility markets. This role is highly technical and customer-facing, serving as the bridge between material development, engineering, and end-use application requirements. You will be reporting to our Senior Vice President, Operations.

The ideal candidate brings extensive hands‑on experience with composite resins, prepregs, and film adhesives – paired with the ability to represent the “voice of the customer” internally. This individual will work closely with customers through material selection, evaluation, qualification, and transition into production, while also influencing internal R&D and product strategy.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Act as the primary technical interface between customers and internal teams for high temperature composite: prepregs, film adhesives, thermal protection systems, carbon‑carbon, ablatives, and ancillary products.

Provide expert guidance on the application and processing across a range of resin systems to include BMI, cyanate ester, polyimide, phthalonitrile, geopolymers, and ceramics.

Support customers through material evaluation, testing, qualification, and certification processes, including generation and interpretation of test data.

Collaborate with customers to understand design requirements, processing constraints, and performance targets for end applications.

Translate customer needs and feedback into actionable insights for product development, technical data packages, and roadmap planning.

Support troubleshooting and root‑cause analysis related to material performance, processing issues, or manufacturing challenges.

Provide technical training and application support to customers, distributors, and internal stakeholders.

Partner with sales and business development teams to support new program pursuits and long‑term customer relationships.

Represent the company at customer sites, technical reviews, and industry meetings as a trusted subject‑matter expert.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related technical discipline (or equivalent experience).

Minimum of 10 years of industry experience working with advanced composite materials.

Extensive hands‑on knowledge of composite prepregs and film adhesives, including how they are processed and used in end applications such as hypersonic aircraft, rockets nozzles, hot surfaces, brake housings, and down well oil & gas.

Strong understanding of composite material testing, evaluation, and qualification workflows used by aerospace and advanced manufacturing end users.

Proven ability to work directly with customers in a technical capacity and communicate complex concepts clearly and effectively.

Experience balancing customer requirements with internal technical and manufacturing considerations.

Ability to operate independently at a senior technical level while collaborating cross‑functionally.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree or higher in a relevant engineering or materials discipline.

15+ years of industry experience working with advanced composite materials.

Direct experience supporting or working within end-user manufacturing environments.

Hands‑on part building experience, including layup, curing, and post-processing of composite structures.

Familiarity with aerospace qualification standards, material allowable development, and certification processes.

Experience influencing product development or material selection decisions for high-performance composite applications.

Passion for SHD Composite Materials, Inc. and its customers

Friendly, flexible team player with a can‑do‑attitude

SHD Composites is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. SHD Composites is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment.

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