Principal Composites Engineer (Onsite)

About the Role

Pratt & Whitney's Military Composites team within Compression Systems Engineering (CSE) is seeking a highly-motivated Composites Engineer to support all military engine programs. In this role, you will support CIMA (Composites, Impact, Manufacturing and Analysis) with technology, design development, definition, production, and aftermarket phases for composite fan components on a mix of operational military engines and advanced engine development programs.

What You Will Do

• Function as a design/structures engineer for composite components and work on an Integrated Product Team (IPT), participating in projects aimed at crafting and implementing designs that meet advanced engine-specific requirements.
• Provide design and/or structural analysis support throughout conceptual, preliminary, and detailed design phases, including validation, certification, manufacturing, and operational service.
• Perform material selection, determination of laminate architecture, generation of detail/assembly-level CAD models, and design of sub-element components for empirical testing.
• Conduct finite element analysis of homogeneous solid, layered shell, and layered solid (ply-by-ply) models to ensure compliance to engine hardware requirements and structural testing correlation/validation.
• Assist in manufacturing process development at suppliers and ensure manufacturability of component designs, documenting and presenting results to management and external customers.
• Support Military Engines, advanced engine designs, and installed base of engines, applying CORE (Customer Oriented Results & Excellence) tools within the Composites Organization.
• Mentor and coach developing engineers on the team.
• Travel: ~10% travel is anticipated.

Qualifications You Must Have

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering with 8+ years' relevant experience in Defense/Aerospace or related industries, OR Advanced Degree in a related field with 5+ years of experience.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.

Qualifications We Prefer

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• Advanced Degree in Engineering.
• Active US Security Clearance.
• CAD Software experience (e.g., NX, FiberSIM, TeamCenter).
• CAE Software experience (e.g., Altair HyperMesh, Ansys MAPDL, Ansys Workbench/ACP, Abaqus, Nastran, Patran, NX Simcenter).
• Familiarity with non-destructive testing methods for composites.
• Mechanical design experience, e.g., bolted/mechanically fastened joints, geometric dimensioning & tolerancing (GD&T), tolerance stack-up methodology, beam/plate theory, classical laminate theory (CLT), general hand calculations, etc.
• Hands-on composites manufacturing experience using hand-layup, autoclave, compression molding, RTM, VARTM, and/or SQRTM techniques.
• Knowledge of composite technology including composite design, analysis, manufacturing, and testing/characterization processes.
• Familiarity with advanced textile design and manufacturing.
• Demonstrated strong problem solving, teamwork, communication, and leadership skills.
• A track record of delivering positive results in a multi-functional team environment.
• The ability to communicate effectively with customers, co-workers, suppliers, and management in varying disciplines.
• Experience with Agile and/or Waterfall project management frameworks.

What We Offer

• Relocation Eligibility.
• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays (specific benefits dependent upon business unit and collective-bargaining agreement status).
• Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on position level and collective-bargaining agreement status.
• Salary range: 107,500 USD - 204,500 USD (good faith estimate representative of all experience levels; actual offer considers role, function, responsibilities, work experience, location, education/training, and key skills).

Schedule

This position is classified as Onsite. Employees in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite, and commuting to and from the assigned site is the employee's personal responsibility. Candidates will learn more about role type and current site status throughout the recruiting process.