Senior Composites Design Engineer

About the role

Orenco Systems, Inc. (subsidiary of Infiltrator Water Technologies) is a manufacturer of innovative onsite and decentralized wastewater collection and treatment technologies. The Senior Composite Design Engineer will lead the development and design of FRP (fiber-reinforced polymer) composite products for infrastructure applications, including tanks, buildings, covers, and other structural components.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of FRP composite products for infrastructure applications.
• Collaborate with the Composite Sales Manager to develop tailored design solutions for customer projects and identify new product development opportunities.
• Cultivate strategic OEM relationships that drive innovation and long-term business growth.
• Drive value engineering initiatives to enhance design efficiency and reduce cost.
• Oversee and optimize manufacturing processes, especially closed molding techniques (RTM, vacuum infusion).
• Collaborate on material selection, including resins, reinforcements, core materials, adhesives, and coatings.
• Interpret and apply relevant codes and standards (e.g., IBC, AASHTO, ASCE, ASTM) to ensure code compliance in structural designs.
• Perform structural analysis and guide product testing and validation.
• Work closely with the retiring engineer through a transition period to absorb institutional knowledge, processes, and legacy designs.
• Support cross-functional teams including production, QA/QC, sales, and product and project management.
• Interface with customers, certification agencies, and third-party engineers as needed.
• Represent the company at key composite industry events (e.g., trade shows, technical conferences) to stay current with industry trends and strengthen professional networks.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in composite product design (10+ years preferred).
• Expertise in closed-mold composite processes.
• Strong structural engineering capabilities and working knowledge of composite materials (resins, fibers, cores, adhesives, etc.).
• Familiarity with infrastructure products and relevant codes and standards (IBC, ACI, AISC, ASCE, AASHTO, ASTM).
• Proficiency in 3D modeling CAD (e.g., SolidWorks, Inventor); SolidWorks preferred.
• Proficiency in structural analysis tools (e.g., FEA software like ANSYS, SolidWorks Simulation) is desired but not required.
• PE license is highly beneficial but not required.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Excellent communication skills and strong documentation practices.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing priorities with little notice.
• Ability to use sound judgment and follow through in problem solving and decision-making processes.
• Willingness and ability to travel, including compliance with airline and destination travel regulations and Orenco’s approved driver criteria.

Tools and equipment

• Computer and general office equipment.
• Multi-line phone and/or VoIP.
• Vehicle meeting Orenco’s approved driver criteria.

Working conditions

• Primarily indoor/outdoor environment with time in production areas and at project sites.
• Travel may include motor vehicle, airplane, and overnight stays; may involve developed and undeveloped terrain.
• Exposure to outside weather conditions and occasional dust; use of PPE (e.g., gloves) may be required.
• Work during manufacturing business hours, with occasional extended hours or outside business hours to support department and business needs.

Physical requirements

• Regular duties: seeing, speaking, hearing, reading, writing, legible handwriting, keyboarding, prolonged sitting including extended computer use.
• Intermittent activities: touching, holding, grasping, pushing, pulling, reaching above shoulders and below knees, low back bending, twisting, turning, kneeling, crawling, stooping, squatting, standing, walking, climbing stairs and ladders.
• Unassisted light lifting/carrying under 20 lbs.; occasional unassisted lifting/carrying up to 50 lbs.; lifting/carrying over 50 lbs. must be assisted.
• Operation of a motor vehicle and/or airplane travel may be required.