Composite Design Engineer

Role details

Eleven Recruiting is searching for a Composite Design Engineer to join one of our largest Aerospace Manufacturing clients sitting onsite in Santa Ana, CA. The Composite Design Engineer will support complex composite structural design efforts supporting multiple aerospace New Product Development (NPD) and New Product Introduction (NPI) programs. This role is responsible for supporting laminate architecture, structural optimization, manufacturability strategy, and technical execution from concept through production ramp.

The ideal candidate brings deep composite expertise, strong FEA capability, and hands-on experience transitioning composite designs into stable production environments.

Responsibilities

• Support the design and development of advanced composite structures, ensuring compliance with aerospace performance, weight, cost, and manufacturability requirements.
• Support laminate architecture, ply books, stack-ups, and composite layup strategies aligned with structural load cases and manufacturing constraints.
• Perform and present structural analysis (strength, stiffness, fatigue, damage tolerance) in collaboration with stress engineering or independently as required.
• Create and review 3D models, detailed drawings, and engineering release packages using CAD tools (SolidWorks preferred; CATIA/NX acceptable).
• Design and support composite tooling strategies, including autoclave, OOA, RTM, or other applicable processes.
• Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM) initiatives by interfacing closely with manufacturing, tooling, quality, and supply chain teams.
• Support prototype builds, first article inspections (FAI), and production ramp activities; resolve technical issues in real time.
• Participate in material selection, process trade studies, and structural optimization efforts.
• Generate and maintain engineering documentation including specifications, analysis reports, change notices, and configuration management records.
• Support customer technical reviews, design audits, and certification activities, including presentation of structural analyses.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of composite design standards, modeling practices, and engineering workflows.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• 5\+ years of composite structural design experience within aerospace.
• Demonstrated support of laminate architecture, ply orientation strategy, and composite stack-up development.
• Strong proficiency in CAD modeling and drafting tools (SolidWorks preferred; CATIA, NX, or equivalent acceptable).
• Experience performing and interpreting FEA for composite structures.
• Proven experience executing NPD/NPI programs from concept through production release.
• Experience designing or supporting composite tooling methods.
• Working knowledge of aerospace regulatory standards and quality systems (e.g., AS9100).
• Experience working directly with manufacturing teams in a production environment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and engineering judgment skills.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent programs in a project-based environment.
• Effective communication skills, including the ability to present technical data to internal leadership and customers.
• Project management exposure (action tracking, milestone management) preferred.
• Hands-on, floor-engaged engineering mindset with willingness to support production activities.

Salary: $150,000 - $175,000

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