Mission of Role: To lead in the application of aerospace composite, metallic, and non-metallic materials to the design and fabrication of fixed wing aircraft and in particular the A5.
Location: Vacaville, CA
Reports to: Lead Stress Engineer
Direct Reports: None
Owned: None
Focus: 50% Internal, 50% External
Primary Areas of Responsibilities:
- Develop and apply advanced composite materials and their associated process’ to the design and fabrication of the aircraft
- Lead in the resolution of issues related to the manufacturing carbon composite structures using hand lay-up and prepreg materials. Assist major sub tier suppliers on site with quality, manufacturing, and fabrication rate improvements.
- Write materials procurement specs and their associated process specifications including, but not limited to: Carbon and glass fiber prepreg, adhesives, sealants, insulation, coatings, and paint.
- Develop test plans for composite, metallic, and non-metallic materials characterization, compliance, and data base development
- Support structures engineering with best practices for the design of advanced composite structures. In particular, assist in the area of design for manufacturing using experience in shop floor fabrication of vacuum bag/hand lay-up structures.
- Support manufacturing in the application and proper use of adhesives, sealants, coatings, surface preparation, and curing of these materials.
- Takes and active role in the development of quality requirements for both incoming materials and fabricated components.
Success Indicators
- Excellent understanding and application of composite materials, adhesives, tooling, and all relevant process’ used in their fabrication
- Leads in, and is considered the primary contact in the area of composites, metallics, and non-metallics at ICON. Mentors and advises less experienced team members including both engineering and shop floor technicians.
- Has applied current state of the art composite fabrication processes to the A5 composite supply chain.
- Has effectively been a team player and contributed to the development of the A5 in meaningful way
Preferred Experience & Education
- Master’s degree in Composite Materials Engineering or BS with at least 8 years’ experience in aerospace composite materials including characterization, application and fabrication. Equivalent related education and experience will be considered such as aeronautical, chemistry, or general materials engineering when coupled with sufficient experience with the design and fabrication of advanced composite structures.
- Participated in at least one composite materials certification program including FAA involvement.
- At least 4 years hands on exposure to all facets of composite fabrication at either an in house or supplier fabrication facility.
- Practical problem resolution to design and manufacturing related issues using composite materials
- Participated in society-wide advanced materials forums such as SAMPE and JEC
- Has experience in dealing with composite materials suppliers in resolving issues related to quality and supply chain
- Experience with and participated in quality issues and resolution related to composites, metallics, and non metallics.
Ideal Experience
- 10+ years of experience acting as lead technical composite materials and manufacturing focal point in a composite aircraft program. MRB role in a composite materials environment.
Other Traits
- Highly intelligent
- Confident
- Team player
- Analytical and problem solver
- Good judgment
- Self-starter
- Decisive
- Energetic
- Passionate
- Entrepreneurially minded (more startup, less big aerospace / corporate)