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Composites Engineer Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

MS Technology, Inc.

Manufacturing Engineer

Oak Ridge, TN · On-site

$63K - $81K/yr

The Manufacturing Engineer will be responsible for engineering activities in support of the ... Experience with composites manufacturing * Project Management experience * Centrifuge manufacturing ...

Ms Technology, Inc

Manufacturing Engineer

Oak Ridge, TN · On-site

$63K - $81K/yr

The Manufacturing Engineer will be responsible for engineering activities in support of the ... Experience with composites manufacturing * Project Management experience * Centrifuge manufacturing ...

Whisper Aero

Structures Engineer

Nashville, TN

About The Role   Whisper Aero is seeking an enthusiastic and driven Structures Engineer to assist ... Hands-on experience in CNC machining, composites, 3D printing, prototyping, mechanical assembly. 

Whisper Aero

Structures Engineer

Crossville, TN

About The Role   Whisper Aero is seeking an enthusiastic and driven Structures Engineer to assist ... Hands-on experience in CNC machining, composites, 3D printing, prototyping, mechanical assembly. 

BWXT

Systems Engineer - Advisory

Oak Ridge, TN · On-site

$114K - $165K/yr

The Systems Engineer provides technical leadership, engineering oversight, and system-level ... Collaborate across disciplines like instrumentation & controls, mechanical/composites, materials ...

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Composites Engineer information

See Tennessee salary details

$59K

$94K

$121.6K

How much do composites engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for composites engineer in Tennessee is $94,025.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,700.00 and $108,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a composites engineer?

Composites Engineers are professionals who design, analyze, and manufacture materials made from two or more constituent materials with different properties, known as composites. They work across industries such as aerospace, automotive, and renewable energy to develop lightweight, strong, and durable components. Their responsibilities include material selection, structural analysis, prototyping, and testing to ensure products meet performance and safety standards. Composites Engineers play a crucial role in advancing material technology and creating innovative solutions for various engineering challenges.

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

To thrive as a Composites Engineer, you need a solid background in materials science, mechanical engineering, and expertise in composite materials, often supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with CAD software, finite element analysis (FEA) tools, and knowledge of manufacturing processes such as lay-up, resin transfer molding, and automated fiber placement is crucial. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork distinguish standout professionals in this field. These skills ensure the efficient design, analysis, and production of advanced composite structures that meet performance and safety standards.

What are some common challenges faced by a composites engineer when transitioning from design to manufacturing?

One of the key challenges for a Composites Engineer is ensuring that the composite materials and layup techniques specified during the design phase can be effectively and consistently reproduced during manufacturing. Variations in material properties, tooling limitations, and process controls can lead to discrepancies between the designed and produced components. Successful Composites Engineers work closely with manufacturing teams to troubleshoot issues, validate processes, and implement quality control measures, ensuring that final products meet both performance and safety standards.

What is the difference between Composites Engineer vs Materials Engineer?

AspectComposites EngineerMaterials Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Materials Engineering; certifications in composite materialsBachelor's in Materials Science or Engineering; certifications in materials testing
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, manufacturing plants, aerospace and automotive industriesResearch labs, manufacturing, product development across various industries
Industry UsageSpecialized in composite materials like carbon fiber and fiberglassBroader focus on metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites

Composites Engineers focus specifically on designing and testing composite materials used in aerospace, automotive, and sports equipment. Materials Engineers have a broader scope, working with various materials to develop and improve products across multiple industries. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and certifications, but their focus areas and applications differ.

What are popular job titles related to Composites Engineer jobs in Tennessee?

For Composites Engineer jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Composites Engineer jobs in Tennessee look for?

The top searched job categories for Composites Engineer jobs in Tennessee are:

What are popular job titles related to Composites Engineer jobs in TN?

For Composites Engineer jobs in TN, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Composites Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Composites Engineer job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 98% In-person, and 2% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $94,025 per year, or $45.2 per hour.

Structural Engineer - Composites

Roadrunner Venture Studio

Knoxville, TN • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 22 days ago

Job description

About Perseus Materials
Perseus Materials is a hard tech composites startup developing next-generation processing equipment and structures for advanced materials manufacturing. We work at the intersection of materials science, structural engineering, and precision fabrication to build things that don't exist yet. Our work is defense-adjacent, technically demanding, and moves fast.
We are a small team where everyone contributes directly to the product. There is real ownership, real technical challenge, and no shortage of hard problems to solve.
What You'll Do
You will be the structural engineering lead for composite structures and processing equipment at Perseus. That means taking a concept from napkin sketch to validated design - running hand calculations, building FEA models, selecting materials, defining layup schedules, and working directly with fabricators to make sure what gets built matches what was designed. Requirements will often be ambiguous. You will be expected to make sound engineering judgments, document your reasoning, and iterate quickly.
Responsibilities
  • Lead structural design and analysis of composite structures and processing equipment from concept through qualification
  • Perform first-principles hand calculations for stress, deflection, buckling, fatigue, and joint analysis - independent of simulation tools
  • Develop and execute FEA models to validate designs, identify failure modes, and guide structural optimization
  • Define composite laminate schedules, fiber orientations, and material systems based on structural requirements and manufacturing constraints
  • Collaborate with fabrication teams to ensure designs are manufacturable and that layup, cure, and tooling requirements are clearly specified
  • Select and justify materials - fiber, matrix, core, adhesives - based on mechanical, thermal, and environmental requirements
  • Develop and support structural test plans; correlate test results to analytical predictions and close out discrepancies
  • Maintain clear design documentation: assumptions, load cases, analysis reports, and drawing callouts
  • Contribute to DFM (design for manufacturability) reviews and support continuous improvement of fabrication processes

Preferred Qualifications
  • 2+ Years Experience in a commercial composites manufacturing environment
  • Degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Civil, or Structural Engineering, or equivalent demonstrated experience
  • Hands-on experience with composite structures in an applied context - aerospace, marine, wind energy, motorsport, or similar
  • Strong foundation in classical lamination theory, anisotropic material behavior, and composite failure criteria (Tsai-Wu, Hashin, max strain, etc.)
  • Proficiency with FEA software (Abaqus, Ansys, Nastran, or equivalent) for linear, nonlinear, and buckling analyses
  • Demonstrated ability to perform and defend structural hand calculations without relying on simulation as a first resort
  • Familiarity with composite fabrication methods: wet layup, prepreg, vacuum infusion, autoclave, out-of-autoclave, filament winding
  • Experience interpreting and generating engineering drawings with appropriate GD&T and composite-specific callouts
  • Exposure to structural testing methods: coupon, element, and full-scale; familiar with DIC, strain gauging, or load frame testing
  • Working knowledge of relevant standards and specifications (ASTM, MIL-HDBK-17 / CMH-17, DNV, or similar)
  • Experience in a regulated or compliance-driven engineering environment is a plus

You'll Thrive Here If
  • You have built something structural out of composite materials - a boat hull, a wing, a pressure vessel, a race car tub - and you know what it actually takes to get there
  • You are comfortable reaching for a whiteboard and a free body diagram before opening a simulation tool
  • You have caught a fabrication error because you understood the process well enough to recognize it
  • You can work from a rough performance requirement and fill in the engineering yourself
  • You are energized by ambiguous, novel problems and find excessive process more frustrating than helpful

Location & Work Environment
This is a full-time, on-site role. Perseus operates in a hands-on lab and fabrication environment - you will be working alongside parts, tooling, and test hardware regularly. Remote work is not available for this position.

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