Materials and Test Engineering Manager

The Materials and Test Engineering Manager will play a critical role in the planning, execution, and analysis of test campaigns for a next-generation rigid airship materials. This position requires experience in qualification and validation test programs. The ideal candidate is an experienced materials engineer, allowables engineer, or test engineer with expertise in aircraft structural materials, such as composites and titanium. The role involves working closely with engineering teams and program managers to ensure the successful execution of qualification programs in accordance with FAA standards.

Responsibilities

Manage a team of materials engineers, test engineers, and test technicians who select, test, and qualify materials and processes.

Oversee the domain of aerospace structural materials: composites, titanium, welds, and structural adhesives.

Work with Design Engineers to identify failure modes and create validation and qualification tests for materials, systems, and structures. Review test plans for intent and completeness.

Write material, process, and purchasing specifications.

Review engineering documents with a high standard of rigor.

Identify and lead new material and process developments.

Provide strategic input on new capabilities, skills, and equipment to align with future test needs

Oversee and prioritize engineer???s assignments.

Work with the test technician supervisor to assign test technicians to support test programs

Lead hiring and training new team members

Manage performance of the team through regular performance reviews. Provide or facilitate mentoring, coaching, and professional development of team members.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in engineering plus 7+ years of experience in the aerospace/aviation industry as a materials engineer, test engineer, or Materials & Process Engineering manager

Strong leadership skills with proven mentorship ability, team development, and project/program execution

Proven experience with material selection, material property qualification, characterization, or acceptance testing for aerospace/aviation materials/structures.

Experience with industry standard test methods, such as ASTM, FAA, SACMA, SAE, ISO, or similar.

Experience with failure modes of engineering materials, including adhesives and composites. Experience with aviation environmental conditions and requirements, such as flammability, UV, humidity, corrosion, damage tolerance, and fatigue.

Experience with mechanical test equipment, load cells, strain gages, actuators, universal test machines.

Ability to understand, organize, and interpret test data and provide recommendations based on data

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including written technical reports and oral presentations to technical and managerial audiences

Physical Requirements:

Ability to lift 30 pounds.

Preferred Qualifications

7+ years of experience with FAA airframe certification requirements, industry material qualification databases, or generating allowables from mechanical test data

Advanced degree in a related field

1+ years manager experience in an aerospace, engineering, or manufacturing setting

Proven experience with composite struts, epoxy bonding, or ultrasonic inspection

Experience using Statistical Process Control and Root Cause to drive continuous improvement and solve problems

Experience working in an AS9100, NADCAP, or ISO certified test laboratory

Ability to program test equipment using LabVIEW, PLCs, or similar.

Ability to analyze data and perform statistical methods using software such as Python, MATLAB, R, JMP, Tableau, or similar

What We Offer!

Relocation assistance

Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance through a PPO plan (100% premium paid for individuals, ~70% for dependents)

Company-paid life, AD&D, long-term disability, and short-term disability insurances

Parental leave

Generous PTO + 10 paid holidays

401(k) matching up to 6%

Lunch and snacks provided every day, including accommodations for all dietary restrictions

Monthly wellness stipend

Monthly cell phone stipend

Yearly education stipend to obtain certifications or take classes in your field

Fun events, swag, and the occasional airship ride

An opportunity to change the world and work with some of the smartest and the most talented experts from different fields

Compliance Requirements

Criminal background check clearance

Drug test clearance wherever applicable

The base salary range for this role is $107,000 - 162,000,which is determined based on experience, geography, and qualifications. The base salary is one component of the total compensation package, which includes a very competitive annual bonus, 401K Match, and other generous benefits. While we believe competitive compensation is a critical aspect of your decision to join us, we do hope you also spend time considering why our mission and culture are right for you.

Additional Information

LTA Research & Exploration welcomes all candidates to apply including those with limited experience. We understand that candidates with a growth mindset and passion for working on the next chapter in aviation advancement can outweigh experience alone. We celebrate diverse origins and journeys and understand their importance in developing new technology. Rooted in our humanitarian mission, we want to serve the entire globe and have a team that represents those we wish to serve.

Lighter Than Air is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, veteran status or any other discriminatory factors prohibited by law.

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