R&D Engineer III - Composites Aerospace Manufacturing

Job Description

Job Description

We are continuing to grow! We are currently accepting applications for an upcoming Research and Development Engineer III position at our Renton location. 

Job Type:  Full-time – Salaried

Location(s):  Renton, WA

Annual Salary: $135,000.00 - $174,000.00 Annually (DOE) 

Benefits

• Medical (free employee-only coverage and low-cost options available)
• Dental, Vision, Prescription 
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Company-sponsored 401k with Employer Match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Program
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Discounts 
• 8 Paid Holidays plus closed (with pay) for a week during the winter break!
• Generous PTO

Summary

Reporting to R&D Leadership, the Research & Development Engineer is an experienced technical professional who leads research and development efforts across Sekisui Aerospace. As a member of the Research & Development team, the individual partners closely with Engineering, Materials & Process, and Test organizations to develop innovative solutions, mature emerging technologies, and supports future aerospace products and capabilities.

Position Mission

The R&D Engineer leads the development and industrialization of advanced composite materials and manufacturing technologies that support Sekisui Aerospace's commitment to innovation, quality, and operational excellence. This position is responsible for researching, designing, testing, and validating new materials, processes, and production methods to enable the successful implementation of next-generation aerospace products.

The role collaborates with engineering, operations, quality, and supply chain teams to improve manufacturing performance through cost reduction, increased throughput, reduced cycle times, and enhanced process capability. The R&D Engineer ensures technical rigor throughout the product development lifecycle and drives the adoption of best manufacturing practices to deliver scalable, reliable, and production-ready solutions.

R&D Engineer III will:

• Lead, plan, manage, and execute multiple R&D projects simultaneously, with a strong focus on advanced materials development, technology maturation, budget management, and project deliverables under the guidance of senior technical leaders.
• Develop and implement next-generation materials, manufacturing processes, and enabling technologies, including the transition from manual operations to automated manufacturing solutions where applicable.
• Research, develop, and evaluate composite materials and constituent systems, including resins, adhesives, honeycomb cores, foam cores, coatings, and other materials used in aerospace production.
• Develop and optimize composite manufacturing processes, evaluate material performance, and conduct material and process qualification activities.
• Perform material characterization and statistical analysis, including the development and maintenance of A-Basis and B-Basis material property databases.
• Support material selection, engineering confidence testing, qualification programs, and introduction of new materials into serial production environments.
• Develop new chemical formulations and contribute to the continuous improvement, performance enhancement, and lifecycle management of existing material systems.
• Collaborate closely with SEKISUI Aerospace and broader SEKISUI Group R&D teams on material formulation, manufacturing process development, testing, and product commercialization activities.
• Ensure the successful scale-up and manufacturability of new materials and products from laboratory development through production implementation.
• Define project objectives, technical requirements, schedules, milestones, and resource plans for research and development initiatives.
• Design and execute Design of Experiments (DoE) studies; coordinate with engineering teams to investigate technical challenges, analyze results, and drive data-based       decisions.
• Procure test articles, laboratory resources, and external testing services required to support research and development activities.
• Partner with cross-functional teams including Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Engineering, Sales, Marketing, Legal, and Product Management to successfully integrate and commercialize new products and technologies.
• Work with Supply Chain and Quality organizations to qualify new suppliers, evaluate alternative material sources, and resolve supplier-related material and process issues.
• Conduct technical investigations related to layup, curing, bonding, assembly, and other manufacturing processes; develop and implement root cause corrective actions (RCCA) to address production challenges.
• Lead root cause analysis efforts for material, process, and manufacturing issues, implementing effective corrective and preventive actions to improve quality, reliability, and process capability.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to technicians, interns, research staff, and other team members supporting R&D activities.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable health, safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements while working with materials, chemicals, and laboratory equipment.
• Document research findings, technical analyses, test results, and project outcomes through clear, accurate, and comprehensive reports and presentations.
• Develop project cost estimates, manage project expenditures, and support budget planning and tracking activities.
• Contribute to the generation and protection of intellectual property (IP), including invention disclosures, patent applications, and technology development strategies.
• Support business case development, proposal preparation, and funding applications for strategic research and technology initiatives.
• Travel to other SEKISUI Aerospace sites, SEKISUI Chemical sites and partner locations to benchmark processes, capture best practices, and support deployment of standardized solutions across the organization.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of bachelor’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Manufacturing, Chemical, Aerospace Engineering, or related field

• 4+ years’ experience in research and development in manufacturing environment or a related engineering field

• Experience in development of composite materials and their constituents

• Familiarity with composite fabrication techniques. Hands-on familiarity with composite manufacturing processes such as OOA, MOP, Autoclave, or RTM/VARTM

• Ability to work hands-on in lab and pilot manufacturing environments

• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal

• Ability to establish collaborative relationships to achieve objectives

• Ability to work independently and follow through on assignments with limited direction; ability to work within and lead in a team-oriented environment

• Project management experience

• Experience in problem solving and risk management

Preferred Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Materials Science and Engineering, or related field. 

• Experience in composite, adhesive and resin technology is advantage.

• Familiar with the requirements in Aerospace Industries and FAA regulations

• Understanding of mechanics and material chemistry

• Familiar with Technology Readiness Level (TRL)

• Comfortable working independently in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment