Senior R&D Spinning Engineer

Hexcel•Decatur, AL

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior R&D Spinning Engineer is a technical expert in critical manufacturing and development technology, leading complex initiatives to advance spinning capability, address technical challenges, improve product performance, and drive innovation from concept through commercialization. The role requires deep expertise in fiber spinning, polymer processing, or advanced materials manufacturing, with a record of delivering business results, influencing across functions, and translating technical excellence into competitive advantage. The position is based in Decatur, Alabama, with flexible scheduling options: a traditional 5/40 schedule or a 9/80 schedule, including some remote work. Travel may be required up to 15% of the time. The engineer leads business-aligned projects to develop new spinning processes and precursor fibers from laboratory through pilot scale and into production. The role serves as a subject matter expert in spinning solution technology, process capability, and manufacturing performance; supports capital, reliability, and safety initiatives; and provides technical leadership for new product and technology introductions and process scale-up. The engineer evaluates technical feasibility, risks, tradeoffs, and business impact, and collaborates across R&D, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, and Operations to integrate innovations into production. The position also requires staying current with technical literature and fostering continuous learning and development.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Engineering, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline.
Experience with industrial synthetic fiber spinning or extrusion using DMSO-based solution spinning.
Typically 10–15+ years of progressive experience in fiber spinning, polymer processing, precursor manufacturing, carbon fiber production, advanced materials, or related process technologies.
Demonstrated track record of scaling R&D innovations into cost-effective production processes.
Willingness to work hands-on with pilot equipment and collaboratively with scientists, technicians, and operators.
Must meet one of the listed U.S. citizenship or immigration eligibility categories: U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, temporary resident under INA sections 210(a) or 245(A), refugee, or person granted asylum.

Responsibilities

Lead business-aligned projects developing new spinning processes and precursor fibers from the lab through pilot scale to production.
Ensure project activities meet safety, regulatory, change management, and environmental compliance requirements.
Serve as the technical subject matter expert in spinning solution technology, process capability, and manufacturing performance.
Streamline technology development to reduce time-to-market for new products.
Drive capital projects, reliability initiatives, and safety programs to support smooth and efficient operations.
Apply scientific principles, industry practices, and advanced spinning technologies to advance programs.
Stay abreast of technical literature, develop areas of interest, and foster continuous learning and development.
Solve complex technical challenges by evaluating feasibility, risks, technical tradeoffs, and business impact.
Work with cross-functional teams to integrate innovations into production.
Provide technical leadership for new product introduction, new technology introduction, and process scale-up initiatives.
Influence technical direction and decision-making across R&D, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, and Operations.
Work hands-on with pilot equipment and collaboratively with scientists, technicians, and operators to solve problems.
Travel up to 15% of the time.