Lead Composite Process Engineer

Albany Engineered Composites (AEC) is one of the most technically advanced designers and manufacturers of lightweight composite aerospace structures, subassemblies and components. For more than 50 years, AEC has innovated advanced composite solutions for defense and commercial industries in applications from large commercial transports to fighter jets and commercial and military rotorcraft.

Our composite design and fabrication expertise can be found on many commercial platforms such as Boeing's 7-series family, the Airbus A380 aircraft as well as Sikorsky S-76 helicopter. For defense programs, AEC provides a wide range of products including complete structural assemblies, flight critical components, primary and secondary structural elements for platforms such as the F-35 Lightning II, the CH-53K Heavy-lift Helicopter and the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM).

AEC is committed to delivering high-quality, economical composite solutions to our customers. Significant investment in infrastructure and automation ensures AEC is positioned to maximize that value, offering the right processes to meet our customer's needs.

Job Description 

The Composites Process Lead is a skilled and competent Engineer who is beginning their journey in people management. The Lead will be responsible for the development and management of a team of 8-12 manufacturing engineers with strong support from the Manufacturing Engineering Manager. Development and Management of Engineers is the most critical responsibility of the Engineering Lead – the ideal candidate is someone who is passionate about engineering fundamentals and has the ability to approach problems with a teacher/coach mentality. This also includes working to balance the long-term professional objectives of individual engineers with the immediate and future needs of the business.  The Engineering Lead will work closely with the Manufacturing Engineering Manager to efficiently allocate Engineers to various programs of competing priority, as well as goal setting and performance reviews.

In addition to leadership responsibilities, the Composites Process Engineering Lead will be capable and willing to act as an individual contributor to solve problems which require particular focus and attention. Key Manufacturing Engineering tasks include process design, work instructions/documentation, equipment specification and layout, root cause corrective action, disposition of defects, and shop floor support.

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Manage and develop a team of 8-12 Manufacturing Engineers: 
• Build a deep understanding of team dynamics, personalities, skills, and aptitude. 
• Work on Engineering development plans 
• Consult on assignments of Engineers to Programs 
• Set goals and participate in the performance review process 
• Advocate for your team to Engineering Management 
• Balance workload between multiple key stakeholders 

Engineering Responsibilities: 

• Integrate specialist knowledge into a full process understanding of composite part production.
• Drive innovative approaches to manufacturing including cost reduction, process automation, IoT integration, etc.
• Develops processes to facilitate the production of prototype and demonstrator hardware
• Maintains industry knowledge to understand future technology and internal technology roadmap.
• Represents the organization in providing solutions to technical issues associated with specific projects 

Skills/Knowledge

• 7+ years’ experience as an Engineer or technical management role required
• Leadership experience or clear competence/aptitude. Extracurricular experience is acceptable. 
• High emotional intelligence and ability to handle dynamic/complex professional social situations. 
• BS in designated Engineering or related field (Physics, Chemistry, Material Science, etc.) 

Preferred Additional Skills: 

• DMAIC, DFSS, LEAN, PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, Mistake Proofing, DOE, DFX 
• Root Cause and Corrective Action / Non-conformance Disposition (MRB) 
• Production and Assembly Environment (Composite Lay Up, Cure, Paint, and NDI) 
• Machine shop environment (Composite Machining) as a manufacturing engineer 
• New Product Development / New Business Development 
• Shop Planning Generation (MS Word Products, etc.) 
• Working in/Leading a multidisciplinary team 
• GD&T 
• CATIA V5 
• Green Belt / Black Belt Certification 
• Experience in Windchill, and SAP 
• Aerospace manufacturing experience 

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As a Department of Defense Contractor, we are required to hire US Persons.