Thermoplastic Composite Subject Matter Expert

As one of the world’s leading designers and manufacturers of aerostructures, Spirit AeroSystems provides products and solutions for both commercial and defense customers. From today's largest passenger jet to tomorrow's urban air vehicles, Spirit's advanced design, analysis, manufacturing, inspection, and testing experts cover all aspects of product development.

With headquarters in Wichita, Kansas, Spirit operates sites in the U.S., U.K., France, and Malaysia. The company's core products include fuselages, pylons, nacelles and wing components for the world's premier aircraft. Spirit AeroSystems creates affordable, innovative composite and metallic manufacturing solutions to support customers around the globe.

Spirit continues to win new business with exciting and innovative companies across all segments with a focus on our expanding portfolio of defense work. Preparing for the recovery of the aviation market, Spirit continues to invest in efficiency improvements to make its operations safer, more agile and environmentally sustainable. And, Spirit has kept its focus on the company’s core values – Transparency, Collaboration and Inspiration – as it continues building an inclusive culture where everyone has the opportunity to contribute.

Advanced Product Development and Research – Senior Thermoplastic Composites Engineer           

Senior Thermoplastic Composites Research and Development Engineer provides leadership, project planning, and portfolio development expertise to a team of R&D engineers. Develops innovative solutions for advanced thermoplastic composite manufacturing technologies.

Work Location: Wichita, Kansas

Key Accountabilities

• Develop new and existing manufacturing processes for aerostructures
• Advance technology and manufacturing readiness levels (TRL / MRL), from concept development to prototyping, verification and validation.
• Propose new product configurations to enable design for manufacturing
• Manage collaborative research with external suppliers
• Develop proposals, budgets; execute and win contract research and development projects
• Provide project management expertise to plan, status, and achieve key milestones
• Coordinate and organize teams for solving highly complex problems and provides solutions which are highly innovative
• Create technical roadmaps and project plans to achieve short- and long-term technology development objectives
• Provide technical leadership to team of engineers and technicians: review project plans, test plans, test reports; provide work statements

Required Skills:

• U.S.Citizenship Required
• Subject matter expert for advanced thermoplastic composite materials (e.g. continuous carbon fiber reinforced PPS, PEKK, PEEK) and manufacturing processes
• Requires 9 to 13 years of experience with a Bachelor’s degree; 7 to 11 years of  experience with Master’s degree; 4 to 8 years of experience with PhD
• Educational credentials or equivalent from an ABET-accredited engineering program is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Hands-on experience with thermoplastic composite forming and welding

Spirit AeroSystems is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected factor under federal, state or local law.

Kansas Tax Credit: Join Spirit AeroSystems’ Kansas team and you may be eligible for a $5,000 state of Kansas Aviation tax credit for up to five years. Click here for more information on the tax credit.