AV
Composite Product Development Engineer
Accepting applicationsApproach Venture · Hawthorne, CA
Full-Time Mid_senior aiaterf
Posted
1d ago
Category
Manufacturing
Experience
Mid_senior
Country
United States
Composites Product Development Engineer - Advanced Manufacturing and Scaled Composite Systems
Hawthorne, California | On-site
Opportunity Summary
A fast-growing advanced manufacturing startup is developing next-generation composite manufacturing technologies focused on producing lightweight, high-performance structures at significantly higher production rates than traditional composite processes. The team is building scalable manufacturing capabilities for aerospace, defense, propulsion, and industrial applications where speed, durability, and cost efficiency are critical. This role is focused on leading the development of composite products from concept through scaled production. The engineer will own product development activities across design, prototyping, manufacturing integration, validation, and process optimization. The position requires a highly hands-on individual comfortable operating in an early-stage environment where engineering, manufacturing, quality, and project ownership often overlap. The work will directly influence product performance, manufacturing scalability, and long-term technical direction.
About Us
We are an early-stage deep tech manufacturing company building advanced composite production technologies for high-performance applications across aerospace, defense, and industrial markets. Our team combines engineering, manufacturing, and materials expertise to develop scalable production systems capable of delivering complex composite hardware at production volumes and speeds not achievable through traditional methods. We operate in a highly collaborative environment focused on rapid iteration, technical problem solving, and real-world execution.
Job Duties
Lead composite product development efforts from initial concept through manufacturing scale-up
Design and optimize composite structures, tooling, and manufacturing workflows for production environments
Support material selection, laminate development, layup strategies, and manufacturing process integration
Develop first articles, prototype hardware, and manufacturing validation plans
Drive design-for-manufacturing initiatives to improve throughput, repeatability, and product quality
Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams to transition products into production
Manage technical projects, schedules, vendors, and external manufacturing partners
Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for manufacturing and quality issues
Support inspection activities, process improvements, and continuous manufacturing optimization
Work directly with composite manufacturing equipment, tooling, ovens, presses, and production hardware
Coordinate technical requirements with customers, suppliers, and cross-functional engineering teams
Contribute to scaling long-term manufacturing and engineering capabilities as the company grows
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Science, Manufacturing Engineering, Composites Engineering, or related technical field
4+ years of experience working with fiber-reinforced composite materials in design and manufacturing environments
Strong experience with composite product development and manufacturing processes
Hands-on experience with CAD modeling and GD&T
Demonstrated ownership of products through development, testing, and manufacturing execution
Experience supporting rapid prototyping and technical iteration cycles
Proven ability to improve or scale manufacturing operations
Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills in fast-paced engineering environments
Experience working with suppliers, vendors, and cross-functional engineering teams
Comfortable operating directly with manufacturing equipment and production hardware
Must be eligible to work on U.S. export-controlled programs
Preferred Experience
Experience with compression molding, injection molding, or other advanced composite manufacturing methods
Familiarity with continuous fiber layup processes
Experience supporting aerospace, propulsion, or defense manufacturing programs
Knowledge of ISO 9001 and AS9100 quality standards
Experience with FEA and structural analysis tools
Background in manufacturing process development and continuous improvement initiatives
Experience working within small, highly technical startup teams
Experience presenting technical programs, schedules, or business cases to leadership teams
Familiarity with R&D-driven manufacturing environments
Why Join Us
Opportunity to help build and scale next-generation composite manufacturing technologies
High ownership environment with direct impact on products, manufacturing, and company growth
Exposure to advanced aerospace, defense, and industrial applications
Fast-moving engineering environment with significant technical breadth and career growth potential
Equity participation and the opportunity to grow alongside the company
Collaborative, highly hands-on engineering culture
Compensation Details
$175,000 - $235,000
Show more Show less
Hawthorne, California | On-site
Opportunity Summary
A fast-growing advanced manufacturing startup is developing next-generation composite manufacturing technologies focused on producing lightweight, high-performance structures at significantly higher production rates than traditional composite processes. The team is building scalable manufacturing capabilities for aerospace, defense, propulsion, and industrial applications where speed, durability, and cost efficiency are critical. This role is focused on leading the development of composite products from concept through scaled production. The engineer will own product development activities across design, prototyping, manufacturing integration, validation, and process optimization. The position requires a highly hands-on individual comfortable operating in an early-stage environment where engineering, manufacturing, quality, and project ownership often overlap. The work will directly influence product performance, manufacturing scalability, and long-term technical direction.
About Us
We are an early-stage deep tech manufacturing company building advanced composite production technologies for high-performance applications across aerospace, defense, and industrial markets. Our team combines engineering, manufacturing, and materials expertise to develop scalable production systems capable of delivering complex composite hardware at production volumes and speeds not achievable through traditional methods. We operate in a highly collaborative environment focused on rapid iteration, technical problem solving, and real-world execution.
Job Duties
Lead composite product development efforts from initial concept through manufacturing scale-up
Design and optimize composite structures, tooling, and manufacturing workflows for production environments
Support material selection, laminate development, layup strategies, and manufacturing process integration
Develop first articles, prototype hardware, and manufacturing validation plans
Drive design-for-manufacturing initiatives to improve throughput, repeatability, and product quality
Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams to transition products into production
Manage technical projects, schedules, vendors, and external manufacturing partners
Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for manufacturing and quality issues
Support inspection activities, process improvements, and continuous manufacturing optimization
Work directly with composite manufacturing equipment, tooling, ovens, presses, and production hardware
Coordinate technical requirements with customers, suppliers, and cross-functional engineering teams
Contribute to scaling long-term manufacturing and engineering capabilities as the company grows
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Science, Manufacturing Engineering, Composites Engineering, or related technical field
4+ years of experience working with fiber-reinforced composite materials in design and manufacturing environments
Strong experience with composite product development and manufacturing processes
Hands-on experience with CAD modeling and GD&T
Demonstrated ownership of products through development, testing, and manufacturing execution
Experience supporting rapid prototyping and technical iteration cycles
Proven ability to improve or scale manufacturing operations
Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills in fast-paced engineering environments
Experience working with suppliers, vendors, and cross-functional engineering teams
Comfortable operating directly with manufacturing equipment and production hardware
Must be eligible to work on U.S. export-controlled programs
Preferred Experience
Experience with compression molding, injection molding, or other advanced composite manufacturing methods
Familiarity with continuous fiber layup processes
Experience supporting aerospace, propulsion, or defense manufacturing programs
Knowledge of ISO 9001 and AS9100 quality standards
Experience with FEA and structural analysis tools
Background in manufacturing process development and continuous improvement initiatives
Experience working within small, highly technical startup teams
Experience presenting technical programs, schedules, or business cases to leadership teams
Familiarity with R&D-driven manufacturing environments
Why Join Us
Opportunity to help build and scale next-generation composite manufacturing technologies
High ownership environment with direct impact on products, manufacturing, and company growth
Exposure to advanced aerospace, defense, and industrial applications
Fast-moving engineering environment with significant technical breadth and career growth potential
Equity participation and the opportunity to grow alongside the company
Collaborative, highly hands-on engineering culture
Compensation Details
$175,000 - $235,000
Show more Show less