Composite Design Engineer

Saronic · Defense · Austin, TX · Engineering

Seeking a Composite Design Engineer to lead the structural design, analysis, and integration of composite materials into autonomous maritime platforms for defense applications. Responsibilities include CAD modeling, laminate analysis, material specification, and ensuring compliance with military standards.

What you'd actually do

  1. Design, analyze, and optimize composite structures for autonomous maritime platforms (hulls, decks, enclosures, etc.)
  2. Create 3D CAD models and 2D manufacturing drawings using tools like SolidWorks, Siemens NX, and Fibersim
  3. Perform hand calculations to design and size laminates using CLT tools
  4. Work closely with naval architects, mechanical engineers, and autonomy teams to integrate composite structures with vessel systems
  5. Define material specifications and work with suppliers to source appropriate composite materials to include NCFs, resin systems, adhesives, and core materials

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree or greater in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Naval Architecture, or a related field
  • 2+ years of experience in composite structural design (aerospace, marine, automotive, or defense)
  • Strong understanding of composite materials (carbon fiber, fiberglass, resin infusion, etc.) and layup techniques
  • Knowledge of mechanical testing, structural validation, and failure analysis of composite systems

Nice to have

  • Experience with FEA software (e.g., Femap (Preferred), ANSYS, Abaqus)

What the JD emphasized

  • mission-critical DoD performance and survivability requirements
  • compliance with MIL-STD and DoD structural integrity, weight, and signature management requirements