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Composites Engineer Jobs in Silver Spring, MD (NOW HIRING)

KBR, Inc.

Materials Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

Materials Engineer Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR! KBR's National Security Solutions team provides ... Lead small-group project teams to propose, select, qualify, and test metals and composites for ...

AEVEX

Sr. Mechanical Engineer

Washington, DC

$118K - $156K/yr

Leads engineering teams, manages project timelines, ensures compliance with industry standards ... Lead rapid prototyping (3D printing, composites, machined parts) and hands-on integration * Conduct ...

Nwis

Civil/Structural Engineer

Springfield, VA · On-site

Civil engineering at Nightwing requires the application of building engineering and construction ... Analyses and designs cover a range of materials, including steel, concrete, wood, and composites.

Nightwing

Civil/Structural Engineer

Springfield, VA · On-site

Civil engineering at Nightwing requires the application of building engineering and construction ... Analyses and designs cover a range of materials, including steel, concrete, wood, and composites.

Aerospace

Be Seen First

Manufacturing Technician

Hanover, MD · On-site

$28 - $33/hr

Uses engineering drawings, work instructions, and process specifications to fabricate flight ... Operate equipment such as hand tools and power machinery for processing metals, composites and wood.

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsComposites Engineer JobsComposites Engineer Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

Composites Engineer information

See Silver Spring, MD salary details

$67.2K

$107.1K

$138.5K

How much do composites engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for composites engineer in Silver Spring, MD is $107,095.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $93,000.00 and $123,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 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 popular job titles related to Composites Engineer jobs in Silver Spring, MD? For Composites Engineer jobs in Silver Spring, MD, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Composites Engineer jobs in Silver Spring, MD look for? The top searched job categories for Composites Engineer jobs in Silver Spring, MD are:
Composites Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Composites Engineer job openings in Silver Spring, MD as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 97% In-person, and 3% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $107,095 per year, or $51.5 per hour.

Materials Engineer

KBR, Inc.

Chantilly, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 19 days ago

KBR rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 47 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

139th of 446 rated engineering

Job description

Title:
Materials Engineer
Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR!
KBR's National Security Solutions team provides high-end engineering and advanced technology solutions to our customers in the intelligence and national security communities. In this position, your work will have a profound impact on the country's most critical role - protecting our national security.
Why Join Us?
  • Innovative Projects: KBR's work is at the forefront of engineering, logistics, operations, science, program management, mission IT and cybersecurity solutions.
  • Collaborative Environment: Be part of a dynamic team that thrives on collaboration and innovation, fostering a supportive and intellectually stimulating workplace.
  • Impactful Work: Your contributions will be pivotal in designing and optimizing defense systems that ensure national security and shape the future of space defense.

Position Summary:
KBR National Security Solutions is seeking a motivated and talented Senior Materials Engineer to join our team in Chantilly, Virginia and to support a major U.S. Government organization responsible for the acquisition, integration, and operation of proliferated satellite constellations. The selected candidate for this position will provide technical expertise in optical systems and advanced materials supporting spacecraft and payload development. This role would augment existing systems engineering capabilities by providing deeper insight into material selection, optical performance considerations, and environmental survivability for space systems. The candidate will work as part of an integrated Government and contractor team delivering resilient, scalable space capabilities in support of national security missions
Responsibilities
  • Provide technical support related to the selection of materials, optical components, and coatings.
  • Lead small-group project teams to propose, select, qualify, and test metals and composites for Electro-Optical and Synthetic Aperture Radar space vehicles.
  • Assess contractor designs for material performance in space environments for thermal, radiation, and contamination performance.
  • Support anomaly investigations related to material or optical performance.
  • Advise on trade studies involving materials, manufacturing processes, and performance impacts.
  • Collaborate with payload, mechanical, and systems engineers to ensure material decisions align with mission requirements.
  • Perform Materials and Processes (M&P) technical engineering assignments.
  • Troubleshoot problems and work with contractors to find innovative solutions.
  • Prepare technical and progress reports on assigned tasks, prepare specifications, evaluate suppliers, and analyze test reports.
  • Contribute to system documentation, reviews, and decision briefings for Government leadership.
  • Document, develop and deliver analyses, recommendations, plans, reports, and briefings to the Government.
  • Support the development and integration of automated test solutions and continuous improvement in software design and architecture.

Work Environment
  • Location: On-Site
  • Travel Requirements: Minimal (less than 25%) travel to contractor facilities, test sites, or launch locations.
  • Working Hours: Flexible. Standard Government work hour support and surge support during integration and launch phases.

Required Qualifications:
  • Citizenship: Applicant must be a U.S. citizen.
  • Clearance: Active TS/SCI clearance (with current polygraph).
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in materials engineering, or a related STEM technical discipline. Specific contract requirements regarding education and experience will prevail.
  • Relevant Experience: Demonstrated 8+ years of experience in materials engineering.
  • Knowledge of materials and processes for aerospace product development, improvement, design, application, and production including soldering, PCBs, additive manufacturing, bonding, polymers, coatings, and metals.
  • Experience establishing and implementing technical requirements (specifications, program plans/requirements, etc.).
  • Knowledge of environmental and operational requirements for materials in space and/or missile applications (oxidation, thermal stress, radiation, etc.).
  • A motivated individual who can work closely within a geographically diverse team to resolve technical issues.
  • Someone with the ability to handle shifting priorities, multiple projects and timeline pressure to meet deadlines.
  • Ability to take initiative, proactively address customer requirements with no supervision, and expertly define solutions for broad, abstract topics.
  • Ability to work with standard business management tools and financial systems, MS Office, and project management software.
  • Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain trusted client relationships.
  • Ability to work in a team environment as well as independently.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills with demonstrated ability to communicate technical issues clearly to customer or Government leadership.

Desired Qualifications:
  • Education: Master's or Ph.D. degree in materials engineering or a related STEM technical discipline.
  • Relevant Ground Experience: Demonstrated 10+ years of experience supporting materials engineering is preferred.
  • Familiarity with JIRA and Confluence.
  • Knowledge of U.S. Government contracting and federal acquisition regulations, spacecraft lifecycle milestones and review processes, and success in operating within this environment.

Ready to Make a Difference?
If you're excited about making a significant impact in the field of space defense and working on projects that matter, we encourage you to apply and join our team at KBR. Let's shape the future together.
KBR Benefits
KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits which could include 401K plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, or flexible work schedule. We support career advancement through professional training and development.
KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR
At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team of team's philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver - Together.
KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

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About KBR

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At KBR, we partner with government and industry clients to provide purposeful and comprehensive solutions with an emphasis on efficiency and safety. With a full portfolio of services, proprietary technologies and expertise, our employees are ready to handle projects and missions from planning and design to sustainability and maintenance. Whether at the bottom of the ocean or in outer space, our clients trust us to deliver the impossible on a daily basis.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Houston, TX, US

Year founded

1998

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