Senior Composites Project Engineer – Aerospace Systems

Karman Space & Defense; Mukilteo (WA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) match

Paid time off

HSA

FSA

Life insurance

AD&D insurance

Disability insurance

Job summary

Karman Space & Defense in Mukilteo, WA is seeking a Composites Project Engineer III to lead manufacturing engineering for composite‑intensive aerospace programs from development through production.

You will drive layup strategies, tooling, and production readiness, coordinate cross‑functional teams, and serve as the technical focal point for customers while maintaining schedule, cost, and quality goals.

Qualifications

• 4–8 years in aerospace composite manufacturing or production engineering.
• Experience with composite layup, autoclave cure, and bonding.
• Ability to interpret GD&T and engineering drawings.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional teams and customers.
• DoD security clearance or ability to obtain one.

Responsibilities

• Lead composite program execution from development to production.
• Translate requirements into manufacturing plans for layup, cure, and tooling.
• Own integrated program planning, schedules, and delivery milestones.
• Develop and release composite manufacturing documentation (travellers, work instructions, specifications).
• Lead tooling strategy and execution for composite fabrication and assembly.
• Support shop floor execution and resolve real‑time production issues.
• Interface with customers and lead design reviews and technical meetings.
• Coordinate across engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain and suppliers.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for defects and nonconformances.
• Manage scope changes and ECPs with impact on design, tooling, and production.

Skills

Composite manufacturing

Layup processes

Autoclave curing

GD&T

Cross-functional leadership

Customer interaction

Root cause analysis

Project planning

CAD tools

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical/aerospace/materials engineering

Tools

CATIA

NX

Job description

Karman Space & Defense in Mukilteo, WA is seeking a Composites Project Engineer III to lead manufacturing engineering for composite‑intensive aerospace programs from development through production.

You will drive layup strategies, tooling, and production readiness, coordinate cross‑functional teams, and serve as the technical focal point for customers while maintaining schedule, cost, and quality goals.