Senior Product Development Engineer - Advanced Composites

Job Description

Job Description

Senior Product Development Engineer - Lead end-to-end composite product development and scale manufacturing

Hawthorne, CA | On-site

Opportunity Summary

Join a venture-backed advanced manufacturing company developing high-performance composite products at scale. This role owns the full product lifecycle, from early concept and design through validation and production ramp. You will work at the intersection of engineering and manufacturing, translating complex material systems into scalable, production-ready products. As a senior member of the team, you will drive product development while influencing manufacturing strategy, tooling, and process design. This is a hands-on role with direct impact on how products are built, tested, and delivered at scale.

About Us

We are an early-stage manufacturing company focused on advancing composite materials and production technologies for aerospace, defense, and industrial applications. The team is building proprietary processes that enable faster, more cost-effective production of complex components, with a focus on scaling from pilot to high-volume manufacturing.

Job Duties

• Lead end-to-end product development from concept through production ramp
• Design composite components with a focus on manufacturability and performance
• Own material selection, layup strategies, and tooling integration
• Develop first articles and validate product performance through testing and iteration
• Drive design for manufacturing and process optimization across production workflows
• Manage technical requirements, product specifications, and engineering trade studies
• Collaborate with manufacturing teams to scale processes and improve throughput
• Work with suppliers and external partners to source materials and capabilities
• Support quality inspection, validation, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Contribute to project management, timelines, and cross-functional coordination
• Engage with customers and internal stakeholders to align on product requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical field such as mechanical, aerospace, materials, or manufacturing
• 5+ years of experience working with fiber-reinforced polymer composites in both design and manufacturing environments
• Strong experience with CAD tools and GD&T principles
• Demonstrated ownership of product development programs from concept through production
• Experience with rapid prototyping and driving products toward maturity
• Proven ability to scale manufacturing processes, ideally within composites
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to operate under tight timelines
• Experience working across cross-functional teams including engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain
• Background managing projects and working with vendors or third-party partners
• Ability to work on-site in a hands-on manufacturing environment

Preferred Experience

• Experience with composite molding techniques such as compression or injection molding
• Familiarity with continuous fiber layup processes
• Experience working directly with customers to define and refine technical requirements
• Background in aerospace or defense manufacturing
• Experience with ISO9001 or AS9100 quality standards
• Familiarity with FEA tools for structural or thermal analysis
• Experience managing research and development programs
• Ability to communicate technical concepts and present to leadership

Why Join Us

• Early-stage equity with meaningful ownership
• Opportunity to lead product development and influence manufacturing strategy
• High-impact role with visibility across engineering and leadership teams
• Fast-paced environment with significant growth potential

Compensation Details

$180,000 - $230,000

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