Composites R&D Manufacturing Engineering Lead (Aerospace)

Location: South Burlington, Vermont, United States

Salary: $125,000–$160,000 per year

Company

Develops electric aircraft and composite manufacturing capabilities for sustainable aviation.

What you will do

• Evaluate, select, and implement composite manufacturing technologies such as AFP, RTM, ATL, in-situ consolidation, resin infusion, autoclave, layup, and filament winding.
• Lead facility expansion planning, equipment layouts, infrastructure readiness, and equipment commissioning activities.
• Create and maintain design guides covering manufacturing methods, constraints, material options, and best practices.
• Partner with design and R&D teams from concept through production and conduct formal manufacturability reviews.
• Scale composite processes from R&D validation and prototypes to production-ready, high-rate manufacturing while reducing cycle time, cost, and defects.
• Recruit, mentor, and lead manufacturing engineers, using DOE, SPC, MSA, RCA, and process-control documentation to guide technical and investment decisions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field.
• 8+ years of manufacturing engineering experience, including team leadership, NPI, and composite R&D process development.
• Proficiency in at least two composite manufacturing methods and experience scaling production from prototype to high-rate manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, process optimization, DFM, DFA, Design to Cost, GD&T, DOE, SPC, MSA, RCA, and tolerance stack-ups.
• Experience with CAD tools such as CATIA or SolidWorks, Minitab, and ERP/MES systems.
• Familiarity with FAA Part 21 production requirements and aerospace quality systems.

Nice to have

• Experience with composite structures for aerospace, eVTOL, or electric aircraft.
• Master’s degree in Materials Science, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience with AS9100, NADCAP, facility expansion, greenfield or brownfield projects, and equipment commissioning.
• Experience developing DFM handbooks or design guides for engineering organizations.

Culture & Benefits

• Inclusive culture focused on electric aviation, sustainability, and environmental impact.
• Restricted Stock Units and Performance Stock Units for full-time employees.
• Onsite healthcare in Vermont, medical, dental, vision, short- and long-term disability coverage, and paid parental leave.
• Daily lunch provided and flight lessons included.
• Employment is contingent on a background check; BETA participates in E-Verify.