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Composite Materials Engineering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Composite Supervisor

Austin, TX · On-site

$89K - $118K/yr

Material Selection & Handling : Work with engineering and materials teams to select and procure the appropriate composite materials (fiberglass, core, resins, gelcoats, etc.) for different vessel ...

Composites Engineer

Loveland, CO · Hybrid

$90K - $128K/yr

We combine cutting-edge composite materials, origami-inspired architectures, and elegant engineering to deliver lightweight, high-performance solutions for commercial, defense, and scientific ...

Senior Composite Engineer SME

Huntsville, AL · On-site

$88K - $117K/yr

Work directly with MSFC engineering teams, suppliers, and other contractors to develop composite solutions. * Support design reviews (PDR, CDR) by preparing presentation materials and technical ...

Composite Engineer

Mooresville, NC · On-site

$85K - $112K/yr

Manage and maintain the engineering composite materials database, including prepregs, cores ... adhesives, and compliance documentation. * Partner with OEMs to review designs, validate ...

Engineering prototyping with advanced composite materials, including design input, equipment programming, equipment operation, powder processing, furnacing, and inspection * Develop and improve ...

Engineering prototyping with advanced composite materials, including design input, equipment programming, equipment operation, powder processing, furnacing, and inspection * Develop and improve ...

You collaborate seamlessly with engineers, mechanics, and performance teams to chase reliability ... Maintain accurate records of all composite work performed, including materials used, labor hours ...

Showing results 21-40

Composite Materials Engineering information

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$65K

$103.6K

$134K

How much do composite materials engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for composite materials engineering in the United States is $103,596.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $90,000.00 and $119,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Composite Materials Engineering vs Materials Science Engineering?

AspectComposite Materials EngineeringMaterials Science Engineering
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Materials Engineering, specialized courses in compositesBachelor's or Master's in Materials Science, broader focus on all materials
Work EnvironmentDesigning and testing composite materials, manufacturing settingsResearch labs, manufacturing, development of various materials
Industry UsageAircraft, automotive, sports equipment, aerospaceElectronics, energy, manufacturing, research institutions

Composite Materials Engineering focuses specifically on designing and testing composite materials used in industries like aerospace and automotive. Materials Science Engineering covers a broader range of materials, including metals, polymers, and composites, often in research and development settings. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds but differ in specialization and application areas.

What are some common challenges faced by composite materials engineers when working on multidisciplinary teams?

Composite materials engineers often collaborate with professionals from mechanical, aerospace, and manufacturing engineering. One common challenge is ensuring that the unique properties and processing requirements of composites are understood and integrated into the overall design and manufacturing plan. Effective communication and documentation are essential, as misunderstandings can lead to costly redesigns or performance issues. Additionally, balancing the needs of performance, weight, cost, and manufacturability while meeting project deadlines requires strong problem-solving skills and adaptability.

What is composite materials engineering?

Composite materials engineering is a specialized field of engineering focused on designing, analyzing, and manufacturing materials made from two or more constituent materials with different physical or chemical properties. These materials, known as composites, are engineered to produce a material with characteristics superior to the individual components. Common examples include carbon fiber reinforced polymers and fiberglass. Engineers in this field work in industries such as aerospace, automotive, sports equipment, and construction to develop lightweight, strong, and durable materials. Their work involves material selection, testing, and optimization for various applications.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a composite materials engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Composite Materials Engineer, you need a strong background in materials science, mechanical engineering, and chemistry, typically supported by a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field. Proficiency with CAD software, finite element analysis (FEA) tools, and laboratory testing equipment is essential, along with familiarity with industry standards and certifications like ISO or ASTM. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication skills help distinguish top performers in this role. These skills ensure the effective design, analysis, and implementation of advanced composite materials in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and construction.
More about Composite Materials Engineering jobs
What states have the most Composite Materials Engineering jobs? States with the most job openings for Composite Materials Engineering jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Composite Materials Engineering jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Composite Materials Engineering jobs are:
Infographic showing various Composite Materials Engineering job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $103,596 per year, or $49.8 per hour.

Senior Materials Engineer, Composites

Anduril Industries

Costa Mesa, CA

$112K - $154K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago


Anduril rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Anduril

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7.4

Company rating compared to similar companies: 7.4 out of 10

Manufacturers average

Based on 75,237 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

About the Team

Anduril's Materials Engineering team is seeking a Senior Materials and Process Engineer with a background in structural composites and bonded structures to join our rapidly growing team. Our team is the materials authority across Anduril's product portfolio, from autonomous aircraft and submarines to missiles and solid rocket motors, providing material selection guidance, developing design allowables, and qualifying manufacturing processes that take composite hardware from prototype to high-rate production.

ABOUT THE JOB

As a Senior M&P Engineer, you'll work across multiple programs simultaneously, supporting design and manufacturing teams with the materials expertise they need to make confident engineering decisions. You'll generate material allowables from test data, author and maintain material and process specifications, and support the transition from rapid prototype composite designs to highly scalable solutions as Anduril ramps production. This role reports directly to the Composites M&P subject matter expert and is a critical addition to a team that is currently supporting 20+ programs. If you're someone who thrives at the intersection of materials science and manufacturing, can move fast without cutting corners on data quality, and wants to see your work on hardware that gets fielded in months, this is the role.

WHAT YOU'LL DO
  • Generate material allowables and design values from mechanical test data to enable high-confidence structural analysis across multiple programs
  • Author and maintain material and process specifications for composite and ancillary materials, building out Anduril's composite material toolbox
  • Support material selection trades, evaluating composite material systems for performance, manufacturability, cost, and scalability
  • Design and execute statistically-driven test plans and characterization campaigns to substantiate materials and processes (coupon through component level)
  • Support the transition from thermoset to thermoplastic composite processes to enable high-rate production at scale
  • Provide materials and process guidance to design engineers - reviewing drawings, supporting structural analysis, and advising on design for manufacturability
  • Lead failure analyses and root cause corrective action investigations for composite material-related issues
  • Partner with manufacturing engineering to troubleshoot production issues, improve processes, and support fabrication trials
  • Coordinate with laboratory staff on materials characterization activities including mechanical testing, thermal analysis, and quality validation
  • Support supplier development, qualification, and performance monitoring for composite material vendors
  • Work with quality assurance to drive specification compliance and support process audits
  • Document experimental procedures and results; present findings to technical teams, stakeholders, and leadership
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor's degree or higher in Materials Science, Composites Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
  • 5-7 years of composite materials and process engineering experience in aerospace, defense, automotive, or related industries
  • Strong understanding of composite material systems including thermoset and thermoplastic matrices with continuous/discontinuous fiber reinforcement (carbon, glass, aramid)
  • Hands-on experience with composite manufacturing processes such as prepreg layup, autoclave/out-of-autoclave cure, resin transfer molding (RTM), heated press molding, stamp forming, or filament winding
  • Experience generating material properties through mechanical testing per ASTM standards and developing design allowables
  • Familiarity with materials characterization techniques and the building block approach (coupon through component level testing)
  • Strong technical writing skills - ability to author specifications, test reports, and process documentation
  • Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally with design, manufacturing, and quality teams
  • Ability to obtain and hold a US security clearance
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Experience with thermoplastic composite materials and processes (stamp forming, consolidation, welding)
  • Working knowledge of CMH-17 (Composite Materials Handbook) for allowables development and data reduction
  • Experience supporting structural analysis teams with lamina/laminate level material properties
  • Prior experience qualifying composite parts or processes for production programs
  • Experience with nondestructive inspection methods for composite structures (ultrasonic, X-ray, thermography)
  • Familiarity with composite repair methods and procedures
  • Experience scaling composite manufacturing from prototype to high-rate production
  • Experience with adhesive bonding and surface preparation for composite assemblies

Working at Anduril

About Anduril, in their own words

From Anduril

As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril delivers cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the warfighter in months, not years.


What Anduril employees say

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Anduril Industries logo

About Anduril Industries

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Anduril Industries is a trailblazer in the technology industry based in Costa Mesa, CA, US. Founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus VR, the company focuses on developing innovative technology to equip and empower those in the defense sector. Its primary products include cutting-edge autonomous systems and AI software that assist in combating threats to national and global security. The mission of Anduril Industries is to integrate technology and defense by building transformative, scalable solutions that ensure a safer world.

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Costa Mesa, CA, US

Year founded

2017

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