Director, Aerospace Materials Testing

Overview The Director of Aerospace Materials Testing at Element Materials Technology is responsible for leading our flagship laboratory operations delivering high-quality materials testing services to aerospace and defense clients. This role drives operational excellence, technical leadership, and commercial growth while ensuring compliance with global accreditation standards and customer requirements. Responsibilities Operational Leadership Lead daily operations of aerospace materials testing laboratories (metallurgy, mechanical testing, chemistry, and failure analysis). Drive operational efficiency, turnaround time, and utilization across labs. Implement Element’s global best practices and standardization initiatives. Oversee equipment investment strategy and lab expansion initiatives. Technical & Quality Leadership Act as the senior technical authority for aerospace materials testing. Ensure compliance with: Nadcap accreditation programs AS9100 quality systems ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory standards Ensure testing meets OEM specifications and industry standards. Partner with Business Development and Key Account teams to grow aerospace revenues. Strengthen relationships with aerospace OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and defense contractors. Identify and launch new services (e.g., additive materials testing, advanced failure analysis). Support major bids, pricing strategy, and contract negotiations. Own full P&L responsibility for the aerospace materials testing business unit. Drive revenue growth, margin expansion, and cost optimization. Develop budgets, forecasts, and capital expenditure plans. Lead, develop, and retain high-performing teams across engineering, technical, and operations functions. Build succession plans and technical capability pipelines. Promote a strong safety and quality culture aligned with Element values. Champion Lean, Six Sigma, and digital transformation initiatives. Drive standardization across labs and integration of acquisitions. Improve customer experience through reliability and responsiveness. Qualifications Education Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Mechanical Engineering, or related field (Master’s preferred). Experience 12–15+ years in aerospace materials testing, TIC, or related industry. 5–10 years in senior leadership within laboratory operations or engineering. Experience within a global TIC organization strongly preferred. Technical Expertise Strong background in: Metallic and composite materials testing Mechanical testing (fatigue, fracture, tensile) Failure analysis and root cause investigations Deep familiarity with Nadcap and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation processes. Preferred Background Experience managing multi-site lab operations or integrating acquisitions. Prior experience working with major aerospace clients (OEMs and primes). #J-18808-Ljbffr Element Materials Technology