Thermoplastics Process Engineer

April Quest Ltd; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

April Quest Ltd, an established aerospace composites manufacturer, is growing and investing in advanced thermoplastic materials and automation. We are seeking a Thermoplastics Process Engineer to own new manufacturing capabilities, lead process development for compression moulding, CCM and stamp forming, and collaborate across R&D, product development and production.

You will drive process qualification, establish SOPs, and push continuous improvement to reduce costs and improve quality in a

Qualifications

• Degree in a materials or mechanical engineering discipline.
• Experience with thermoplastic composite processes.
• Knowledge of compression moulding, CCM, stamp forming or thermoplastic consolidation.
• Understanding of fibre-reinforced composites and tooling.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimise and industrialise thermoplastic composite manufacturing processes.
• Lead process development involving compression moulding, CCM and stamp forming.
• Establish manufacturing parameters, process specifications and SOPs.
• Support introduction of new equipment, tooling and automation technologies.
• Investigate manufacturing challenges and implement corrective actions.
• Collaborate with R&D, product development, design and manufacturing teams to transition new technologies to production.
• Drive continuous improvement across quality, efficiency, repeatability and costs.

Skills

Thermoplastic composites

Process development

Continuous improvement

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Degree in Materials Science

Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Degree in Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

Compression moulding

Continuous compression moulding (CCM)

Stamp forming

Job description

We're working with an established aerospace composites manufacturer that's entering an exciting period of growth and investment, expanding its engineering capabilities around advanced composite materials, automation and next-generation aerospace manufacturing technologies.

With increasing involvement in emerging aerospace applications, including UAVs, defence and next-generation aircraft, the business is investing in new manufacturing processes, equipment and technical expertise.

We're looking for a Thermoplastics Process Engineer to play a key role in developing and industrialising advanced thermoplastic composite manufacturing technologies.

This isn't simply a production support position. You'll have the opportunity to take technical ownership of new manufacturing capabilities, influence equipment and process decisions, and help shape how future aerospace composite structures are manufactured.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, optimise and industrialise thermoplastic composite manufacturing processes.
• Lead process development involving compression moulding, continuous compression moulding (CCM) and stamp forming.
• Establish manufacturing parameters, process specifications and standard operating procedures.
• Support the introduction of new equipment, tooling and automation technologies.
• Investigate manufacturing challenges, improve process capability and implement corrective actions.
• Work closely with R&D, product development, design and manufacturing teams to transition new technologies into production.
• Drive continuous improvement across quality, efficiency, repeatability and manufacturing costs.

What We're Looking For

• Degree in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering or a related discipline.
• Experience developing or improving thermoplastic composite manufacturing processes.
• Knowledge of one or more processes such as compression moulding, CCM, stamp forming or thermoplastic consolidation.
• Understanding of fibre-reinforced composites, polymer processing, tooling and manufacturing equipment.
• Experience with process qualification, troubleshooting and continuous improvement.
• Ability to take technical ownership of projects and collaborate across engineering and manufacturing teams.

Experience with aerospace-grade thermoplastics such as PEEK, PEKK, PAEK or PPS would be particularly advantageous.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Significant investment: Join a business actively investing in advanced materials, new equipment and manufacturing automation.
• Technical ownership: Help establish and develop new thermoplastic manufacturing capabilities rather than simply maintain existing processes.
• Emerging technologies: Contribute to UAV, defence and next-generation aerospace programmes.
• Innovation through production: Take new processes from development and experimentation through qualification and industrialisation.
• Career development: Become a key technical specialist within an expanding engineering function, with opportunities to influence future manufacturing strategy.