Director, Aerospace Materials Testing

Overview

The Director of Aerospace Materials Testing at Element Materials Technology is responsible for leading our flagship laboratory operations delivering high-quality materials testing services to aerospace and defense clients. This role drives operational excellence, technical leadership, and commercial growth while ensuring compliance with global accreditation standards and customer requirements.

• Lead daily operations of aerospace materials testing laboratories (metallurgy, mechanical testing, chemistry, and failure analysis).
• Drive operational efficiency, turnaround time, and utilization across labs.
• Implement Element’s global best practices and standardization initiatives.
• Oversee equipment investment strategy and lab expansion initiatives.

• Act as the senior technical authority for aerospace materials testing.
• Ensure compliance with:
• Nadcap accreditation programs
• AS9100 quality systems
• ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory standards
• Ensure testing meets OEM specifications and industry standards.
• Partner with Business Development and Key Account teams to grow aerospace revenues.
• Strengthen relationships with aerospace OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and defense contractors.
• Identify and launch new services (e.g., additive materials testing, advanced failure analysis).
• Support major bids, pricing strategy, and contract negotiations.
• Own full P&L responsibility for the aerospace materials testing business unit.
• Drive revenue growth, margin expansion, and cost optimization.
• Develop budgets, forecasts, and capital expenditure plans.
• Lead, develop, and retain high-performing teams across engineering, technical, and operations functions.
• Build succession plans and technical capability pipelines.
• Promote a strong safety and quality culture aligned with Element values.
• Champion Lean, Six Sigma, and digital transformation initiatives.
• Drive standardization across labs and integration of acquisitions.
• Improve customer experience through reliability and responsiveness.

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Mechanical Engineering, or related field (Master’s preferred).

• 12–15+ years in aerospace materials testing, TIC, or related industry.
• 5–10 years in senior leadership within laboratory operations or engineering.
• Experience with in a global TIC organization strongly preferred.

• Strong background in:
• Metallic and composite materials testing
• Mechanical testing (fatigue, fracture, tensile)
• Failure analysis and root cause investigations
• Deep familiarity with Nadcap and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation processes.

• Experience managing multi-site lab operations or integrating acquisitions.
• Prior experience working with major aerospace clients (OEMs and primes).