Director, Advanced Materials

Textron Systems, part of Textron, is a $14 billion multi-industry company employing 35,000 professionals worldwide. We specialize in aerospace, defense, specialized vehicles, turf care, and fuel systems. This role is within Textron System’s Weapon Systems business area.

About the role

The Director of Advanced Materials & Hypersonics will lead a high-performing team of engineers and material scientists focused on the development, qualification, and transition of advanced composite materials and manufacturing processes for ultra-high-temperature reentry and hypersonic applications. This role requires a forward-looking technical leader capable of guiding strategic R&D initiatives, building strong customer relationships across the DoD community, and driving execution excellence from concept through deployment.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the development of advanced materials, thermal protection systems, and high-temperature composite structures supporting hypersonic and reentry programs.
• Oversee all phases of material and process development, including concept exploration, architecture definition, design/build/test cycles, qualification, and transition to production.
• Lead a multidisciplinary engineering and materials science team, ensuring strong collaboration, technical rigor, and professional development.
• Engage with DoD customers, national laboratories, and industry partners to shape program requirements, influence technology roadmaps, and ensure alignment with mission priorities.
• Drive proposal development, including technical volumes, cost strategies, and program execution plans for competitive DoD opportunities.
• Ensure program execution excellence with attention to schedule, risk management, cost performance, and compliance with quality and security requirements.

Requirements

• Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to interface effectively with senior leadership, government stakeholders, and technical teams.
• Demonstrated experience designing or architecting advanced material systems for high-temperature flight environments, including strategic reentry and hypersonic applications.
• Hands-on experience with composite material development and the design/build/test lifecycle.
• Proven ability to lead diverse, multifunctional teams in a highly technical environment.
• US citizenship and ability to obtain at least a Secret security clearance.

Qualifications

• BS in Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field required; MS or Ph.D. strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 15 years of relevant experience with a BS, or 10+ years with an MS/Ph.D., including leadership of advanced materials development programs.

Skills

Technical Expertise (Highly Desired):

• Deep understanding of carbon/carbon, ceramic matrix composites, polymer matrix composites, and related high-temperature systems.
• Experience with thermal protection systems, high-temperature materials testing, ablation behavior, and densification processes.
• Knowledge of additive manufacturing approaches relevant to extreme-environment materials.
• Familiarity with multidirectional weaving technologies.
• Experience with physics-based modeling, mathematical simulations, and performance prediction tools.

Additional Leadership & Strategic Skills:

• Experience engaging with DoD S&T organizations such as AFRL, DARPA, MDA, ARL, and ONR.
• Ability to develop technology roadmaps and long-term investment strategies aligned with customer mission needs.
• Strong business development skills, including shaping opportunities, building customer relationships, and developing competitive proposals.
• Knowledge of ITAR/EAR, AS9100, and other quality and compliance frameworks.
• Ability to lead in fast-paced, ambiguous environments while balancing near-term execution with long-term strategic goals.

Benefits

• Flexible Work Schedules
• Education Assistance
• Career Development & Training Opportunities
• Wellness Program (including Fitness Reimbursement)
• Medical, Dental, Vision & 401(K) with Company Funding
• Paid Parental Leave

Schedule

Standard full-time schedule with on-site work in Wilmington, MA.

Relocation

Relocation assistance is offered for this position.