Senior Composite Design Engineer (Filament Winding-Oriented)

Qnetic • Sacramento, CA

3d

About The Position

The Senior Composite Engineer will lead the design, analysis, and Design for Manufacturing (DFM) of Qnetic’s high-speed carbon fiber rotor for flywheel energy storage systems. This role is focused on the development of advanced composite structures operating under extreme rotational and cyclic loading conditions, with particular emphasis on the rotor body and its interfaces with metallic shafts and mechanical components. The ideal candidate has strong expertise in composite structure design and manufacturing, especially filament winding processes for high performance carbon fiber structures. Experience with composite lamination, Automated Fiber Placement (AFP), and other advanced composite manufacturing techniques is also valued. The Senior Composite Engineer will use advanced composite FEA tools and filament winding manufacturing software to optimize structural performance, manufacturability, reliability, and cost. The role requires close collaboration with CAE, manufacturing, testing, and mechanical design teams to develop next-generation flywheel energy storage technology.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or PhD in Composite Materials, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in composite structure design and manufacturing.
• Strong expertise in filament winding of carbon fiber structures; experience with high-speed rotating systems is highly preferred.
• Experience with composite FEA tools such as Abaqus, ANSYS Mechanical, or equivalent.
• Strong understanding of composite failure modes, material behavior, and DFM principles.
• Excellent communication, coordination, and interpersonal skills with a strong service orientation.
• High sense of responsibility and initiative; able to handle multiple tasks independently.
• Detail-oriented, well-organized, with excellent problem-solving skills and resilience under pressure.
• Proactive and positive personality with a strong team spirit.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with composite manufacturing methods such as lamination and AFP is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and DFM of carbon fiber composite rotors and rotor-to shaft interfaces for flywheel energy storage systems.
• Develop and optimize filament winding processes, layups, and manufacturing methods for high-speed rotating structures.
• Perform and review advanced composite FEA analyses, including stress, failure, stability, and dynamic behavior.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and testing teams to validate designs and improve process robustness and product reliability.
• Define composite design guidelines, manufacturing standards, and best practices.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior