Product Engineer - Advanced Materials R&T - Fiber Materials

FMI, A Spirit AeroSystems Company | solutions for the most extreme places in the universe

Spirit Maine's manufacturing facility has been a leading solutions provider of high temperature materials and composites for more than 50 years, serving the Department of Defense and NASA. The focus in Maine is on multidirectional reinforced Carbon/Carbon (C/C) and Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) that enable high-temperature components such as: thermal protection systems, re-entry vehicle nose tips as well as rocket motor throats and nozzles. 

Our materials are being used on ground-breaking space initiatives such as the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle and the heat shield for NASA's Mars 2020 mission, important missile programs, airfoils in commercial and military jet engines, and as lightweight armor for U.S. military ground vehicles. 

Your role: Spirit Maine is seeking an experienced and motivated Product Engineer - Advanced Materials R&T to join the Advanced Materials group within the Research and Technology team. As the Product Engineer - Advanced Materials R&T, you will be responsible for owning tasks supporting the development, prototyping, and processing of novel carbon and ceramic composite materials and structures.  In coordination with materials engineering, process engineers, project managers, machinists, manufacturing and quality, tasks could include process development, tooling innovation, structural prototyping, process automation and test plan definition and execution.  Key skills are an understanding of composite materials and their manufacturing methods (carbon and ceramic systems preferred), strong first-principles engineering knowledge, creative yet disciplined mindset, modeling and drawing creation / drafting skills and an ability to work effectively in both an engineering and a production-oriented manufacturing environment. You will also apply sound scientific reasoning and fundamentals when conducting experiments and research activities to advance the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) of the material systems

Job Responsibilities:

• Develops, implements, and sustains policies, standards, and procedures for the engineering and technical work performed
• Works with team members to solve carbon / silicon carbide fiber composite material issues, solve processing and procedural issues and create component fixtures and tooling
• Track daily activity to ensure adherence to parametric performance, schedule, and budget
• Adhere to good manufacturing procedures and document all activity for component traceability
• Participate and lead design review documentation creation
• Summarize research results and communicates to both internal and external customers
• Assesses the scope of research projects and ensures projects are on time and within budget
• Develops technical documentation for all projects to support parametric outcomes
• Demonstrate results in technical problem solving and product/process development
• Analyze technology requirements, resource needs, and schedules to assess and plan project specifications, objectives, and procedures
• Confer with management, production, facilities, and ESH staff to discuss project specifications, objectives, and procedures
• Writes periodic reports or oral presentations to management and customers on specific projects
• Ensures that safety procedures and processes are followed and compliant
• Applies quality standards to projects to ensure compliance with certification requirements in plant applications.

What we need from you:

• Bachelors’ degree in engineering discipline; mechanical engineering preferred
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in manufacturing technology development environment
• CAD experience (Solidworks, Abaqus)
• Demonstrate results in technical problem solving, product and process development and supporting customer focused programs and services
• Capability to follow technical direction and communicate results
• Ability to follow all safety practices for handling materials and operating processes
• Experience with writing basic process procedures or instructions
• Awareness of potential hazards and to apply proper care and consideration
• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Outlook
• Ability to learn multiple and diverse processes and procedures
• Ability to read, interpret, and execute technical instructions, procedures, drawings, manuals, work orders and travelers, as well as document applied processes
• Possess a Security Clearance or ability to obtain clearance

Preferred:

• Experience with high temperature furnaces and pressure vessels
• Experience with C/C material systems
• Experience with pitch and polymer processing, infusion, and/or conversion to carbon matrix composites
• PLC programming experience
• GD&T trained/certified

What you'll get from us:

• 16 ETO days
• 12 paid holidays (including Winter Closure!)
• Medical / Dental / Vision effective on day of hire
• 401k Company Match
• Tuition Reimbursement
• $1000 Sign-On Bonus