Composites Engineer

Centrus Global•Oak Ridge, TN

About The Position

Composites Engineer – Shape the Future of Advanced Materials Are you passionate about pushing the boundaries of composite materials and bringing cutting-edge technology to life? Join our team as a Composites Engineer, where you will help design, develop, test, and manufacture high‑performance composite structures for real‑world applications. You’ll collaborate with talented engineers across disciplines and make a direct impact on product innovation, manufacturing capability, and long-term technical strategy.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
Strong understanding of composite materials—fibers, resins, core materials, and adhesives.
Experience with composite design fundamentals, failure modes, and industry testing standards.
Familiarity with common composite fabrication methods and equipment.
Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and test reports.
Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills.
Clear, confident communication—able to present technical concepts to a range of audiences.
Strong teamwork and collaboration within multidisciplinary environments.
Ability to prioritize tasks, manage deadlines, and adapt to evolving project needs.
High attention to detail with a commitment to producing high‑quality work.
Proactive mindset—willingness to identify opportunities and drive improvements.
Ability to work independently while adding value to group efforts.

Nice To Haves

Industry experience in aerospace, automotive, defense, renewable energy, or similar fields.
Hands‑on experience with composite fabrication in lab or production environments.
Experience with FEA tools applied to composite structures.
Understanding of quality systems such as AS9100 or ISO 9001.
Familiarity with material databases or statistical analysis tools.

Responsibilities

Develop and optimize advanced composite systems for both structural and non‑structural applications.
Partner with design teams to select materials and define layups, fiber architecture, and resin systems.
Create and maintain clear technical documentation, material specs, and process guidelines.
Perform mechanical testing, evaluate results, and lead material characterization efforts.
Work side‑by‑side with manufacturing teams to implement processes such as autoclave curing, infusion, filament winding, or out‑of‑autoclave techniques.
Investigate material or process failures and lead thorough root‑cause analyses.
Collaborate with suppliers to evaluate new materials and ensure they meet quality and performance requirements.
Support prototype builds and drives smooth transitions from development to production.
Contribute to ongoing improvements in materials, manufacturing processes, and test methods.