Carbon Fiber Composites Design & Process Development Engineer in Oak Ridge

Company Overview

Napakiak Environmental and Construction (NEC) is a leading provider of information technology, technology development, and environmental and construction services, specializing in Federal and Commercial projects. Our company is committed to delivering high-quality solutions that meet stringent regulatory standards and client requirements.

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Carbon Fiber Composites Design & Process Development Engineer to lead the design, analysis, and manufacturing process improvements of carbon fiber composite parts and vessels. In this role, you will drive both research and high-volume production initiatives, bridging the gap between innovative concept development and efficient manufacturing for advanced composite systems.

• Design and develop carbon fiber composite parts and vessels, ensuring optimal strength-to-weight ratios and durability.
• Perform mechanics of materials and structural analysis of composite systems using ANSYS or other advanced simulation tools.
• Experience in translating layup design into bulk anisotropic composite property estimates.
• Develop, validate, and optimize composite manufacturing processes – from tooling and fixture design to layup, curing, and machining – to meet rigorous quality and throughput goals.
• Lead R&D initiatives as well as high-volume production efforts, seamlessly transitioning concepts to production-scale applications.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including design, materials science, quality, and production to select composite systems and validate performance.
• Create detailed work instructions, process documentation, and quality protocols that ensure consistency and adherence to industry standards.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement, applying lean manufacturing and statistical process control methodologies.
• Mentor junior engineers and technicians, and provide technical leadership during process troubleshooting and corrective action implementation.

• Education:
  
  Bachelor's degree (BS) in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field with a minimum of 10 years of experience, or a Master's degree (MS) or higher with at least 5 years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in carbon fiber composite design and the mechanics of composite materials.
• Proven experience in structural analysis, particularly with simulation tools such as ANSYS or equivalent.
• Extensive background in developing and improving composite manufacturing processes in both R&D and high throughput production environments.
• Excellent communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

• Advanced understanding of composite processing techniques (e.g., autoclave curing, resin infusion, precision layup) and quality assurance methodologies.
• Experience with CAD/CAM software for tooling and fixture development.
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles or Six Sigma practices.
• A proactive, hands-on approach with strong analytical and technical aptitude.

Napakiak Environmental and Construction (NEC) is an equal opportunity employer.