Senior Aerospace Coatings Engineer

Albers Aerospace•Cincinnati, OH

13h

About The Position

Albers Aerospace is seeking an experienced, collaborative Aerospace Coatings Engineer for its advanced jet propulsion team. The role designs, tests, and optimizes protective and functional finishes for aerospace engine parts, developing solutions to protect components from extreme heat, corrosion, and wear. It manages coating application processes and ensures compliance with military and aviation safety standards. The engineer selects or formulates coatings for metal and composite substrates; develops application, curing, and surface-preparation processes; qualifies coating systems through performance testing; and troubleshoots defects and coating failures. The position also develops specialized finishing techniques, programs and calibrates automated coating systems, evaluates alloy composition and coating thickness, and drafts compliant technical repair instructions. The employee contributes to technical reports, proposals, and planning for new programs. The position represents Albers Aerospace at a customer facility, mentors and onboards new team members, supports and delivers training, and may lead small engineering teams. Duties may change or expand based on business needs. The work is primarily office-based, with possible time at manufacturing facilities or other locations and occasional CONUS travel.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Science, or a field related to aerospace coatings.
At least 5 years of experience in aerospace structural analysis and design, preferably in aerospace, defense, or a closely related discipline.
Strong proficiency with CAD tools such as SolidWorks or NX.
Proficiency with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software and classical hand-calculation methods.
Familiarity with environmental and durability requirements for defense systems.
Ability to work hands-on in a laboratory or integration environment.
U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and hold a security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Science, or a discipline closely related to aerospace coatings.
At least 8 years of experience in the field or a related area.
Active security clearance.
Familiarity with project management principles.

Responsibilities

Select or formulate paints, primers, thermal barrier coatings, and diffusion layers for metal and composite substrates.
Develop and refine manual or automated spray application, curing methods such as infrared curing, and surface-preparation processes.
Conduct oxidation, thermal-shock, mechanical-wear, and salt-spray corrosion testing to qualify coating systems.
Investigate coating failures and defects, reduce porosity and delamination, and apply Lean or Six Sigma tools to improve first-time yields.
Ensure finishes meet environmental rules, chrome-replacement mandates, and aerospace specifications.
Create, optimize, and maintain finishing techniques such as Air Plasma Spray (APS) and Electron Beam Physical Vapor Deposition (EBPVD).
Program and calibrate automated and robotic coating systems, including FANUC setups, for turbine and engine components.
Use dimensional tools, XRF analyzers, hardness testers, and CMM equipment to evaluate alloy composition and coating thickness.
Draft technical repair instructions in accordance with applicable 14 CFR regulations, including Parts 25, 43, and 145, and coordinate with FAA-designated engineering representatives (DERs).
Perform root-cause analysis and corrective actions for delamination, thermal-shock failure, and surface porosity to improve production yields.
Contribute to technical reports, proposal efforts, and technical planning for new programs.
Represent Albers Aerospace on-site at the customer facility.
Mentor new team members and manage onboarding activities.
Support the development of training products and present training.
May lead small engineering teams supporting larger projects.