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Composites Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

As the first Stress Engineer, you'll lay the foundation for and own the structural analysis of Hybron's fiber-reinforced composites, using a novel material construction. You'll build and validate ...

Manufacturing Engineer

Poway, CA ยท On-site

$70K - $85K/yr

Composites Engineering Manager Compensation: $70,000 - $85,000 salary + benefits Schedule: Full-time, Monday-Friday Floor Assignment: Finishing and Bonding/Assembly departments About Light Composites ...

This is a general opportunity to engage composites engineers with specialized experience across key process areas. Core Specialty Areas * Fiber Placement & Layup: Carbon fiber layup (hand layup ...

As the first Stress Engineer, you'll lay the foundation for and own the structural analysis of Hybron's fiber-reinforced composites, using a novel material construction. You'll build and validate ...

This is a general opportunity to engage composites engineers with specialized experience across key process areas. Core Specialty Areas * Fiber Placement & Layup: Carbon fiber layup (hand layup ...

Composites Quality Engineer

El Segundo, CA ยท On-site

$76K - $99K/yr

Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering or science field (Composites, * Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing, Materials Science, Polymer Science, etc.) * 4+ years of ...

Manufacturing Engineer

Poway, CA ยท On-site

$70K - $85K/yr

Composites Engineering Manager Compensation: $70,000 - $85,000 salary + benefits Schedule: Full-time, Monday-Friday Floor Assignment: Finishing and Bonding/Assembly departments About Light Composites ...

Composites Quality Engineer

El Segundo, CA ยท On-site

$76K - $99K/yr

Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering or science field (Composites, * Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing, Materials Science, Polymer Science, etc.) * 4+ years of ...

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Composites Engineer information

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$65K

$103.6K

$134K

How much do composites engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for composites engineer 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 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's the most highest paid engineer?

The highest-paid engineering roles are often in petroleum engineering, computer hardware engineering, and aerospace engineering, with senior positions and specialized skills commanding top salaries. Composites engineers, while well-compensated, typically earn less than these top-tier engineering fields, especially at senior levels or with advanced certifications. Salary varies based on experience, location, and industry demand.

What are Composites Engineers?

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.
More about Composites Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Composites Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Composites Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Composites Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Composites Engineer jobs include:
What are popular job titles related to Composites Engineer jobs? For Composites Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Composites Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 91% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $103,596 per year, or $49.8 per hour.
Composites Engineering Specialist

Composites Engineering Specialist

Hadrian Automation, Inc

Los Angeles, CA โ€ข On-site

$97K - $128K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 20 days ago


Job description

Hadrian - Manufacturing the Future
Hadrian is building autonomous factories that help aerospace and defense companies manufacture rockets, satellites, jets, and ships up to 10x faster and up to 2x cheaper. By combining advanced software, robotics, and full-stack manufacturing, we are reinventing how America produces its most critical parts.
We're accelerating our mission with the launch of Factory 3 in Mesa, Arizona, a 290,000-square-foot facility creating 350 new jobs. We are expanding rapidly to support thousands of future hires, launching Hadrian Maritime to expand into naval production, and introducing a Factory-as-a-Service model that delivers complete systems instead of individual parts.
Hadrian is backed by leading investors including T. Rowe Price, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, and Andreessen Horowitz, our fast-growing team is united around reindustrializing American manufacturing for the 21st century and beyond.
Join Us in Advancing Composite Manufacturing
We are pushing the limits of composite manufacturing by integrating material science, process control, and production scalability across the full lifecycle-from fiber placement and resin systems through cure, inspection, and validation. By treating composites as a tightly coupled system of materials and processes, we achieve high-performance structures with repeatable quality.
We are solving complex challenges in layup, resin behavior, cure kinetics, and non-destructive inspection. This requires engineers with deep expertise in composite systems who can operate across both materials and manufacturing domains.
This is a general opportunity to engage composites engineers with specialized experience across key process areas.
Core Specialty Areas
  • Fiber Placement & Layup: Carbon fiber layup (hand layup, automated layup, fiber orientation control)
  • Resin Systems & Impregnation: Resin impregnation, prepreg handling, resin transfer processes
  • Thermal Processing: Curing (autoclave, oven, out-of-autoclave processes, cure cycle development)
  • Inspection & Validation: Non-destructive inspection (X-ray, CT scanning), defect characterization

What You'll Do
  • Apply composite process expertise to develop, qualify, and optimize manufacturing processes
  • Control critical variables (fiber orientation, resin content, void fraction, cure profiles) to ensure structural performance
  • Partner with manufacturing, quality, and design teams to scale reliable composite production
  • Develop process specifications, work instructions, and acceptance criteria
  • Lead root cause analysis for defects such as delamination, porosity, voids, and fiber misalignment

What We're Looking For
  • Degree in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent hands-on experience
  • Demonstrated expertise in at least one composite manufacturing process (layup, curing, impregnation, or inspection)
  • Strong understanding of composite material behavior, anisotropy, and failure modes
  • Ability to interpret engineering drawings and composite specifications (ply schedules, stack-ups)
  • Experience in production or prototyping environments with a focus on process control

What Will Set You Apart
  • Experience across the full composite lifecycle (layup โ†’ cure โ†’ inspection โ†’ validation)
  • Familiarity with advanced NDI/CT analysis and defect quantification
  • Experience with aerospace-grade composites or other high-performance applications
  • Background in process modeling, cure kinetics, or materials characterization

Benefits for Full-time Employees
  • Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans for employees
  • 401k
  • Relocation support may be provided for certain situations, based on business need.
  • Flexible vacation policy

ITAR Requirements
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.
Hadrian Is An Equal Opportunity Employer
It is the Company's policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. The Company does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race inclusive of traits historically associated with race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, such as braids, locks and twists), color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, national origin (including, in California, possession of a drivers license), ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, height or weight, medical condition, family care status, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, exercise of reproductive rights, any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws, or any combination of the above characteristics. When necessary, the Company also makes reasonable accommodations for disabled candidates and employees, including for candidates or employees who are disabled by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.