Composites Fabrication & Automation Engineer (Mid-Level, Senior)

Composites Fabrication & Automation Engineer (Mid-Level, Senior)

Company:

The Boeing Company

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The Boeing Company is currently seeking a Composites Fabrication & Automation Process Engineer to support our BTI Advanced Production & Automation (APA) team located in Tukwila, WA.

Our teams are currently hiring for a broad range of experience levels including : Mid-Level and Senior Composites Fabrication & Automation Engineer.

APA is a research and development organization focused on developing and production-hardening new automated manufacturing technologies for the fabrication and assembly of aircraft parts. This team begins with ideas and through hands on experiments, tests, and demonstrations develops these concepts into implementable equipment and processing solutions that support multiple programs across Boeing’s platforms. In our state-of-the-art composites fabrication and robotic automation labs, our engineers and technical analysts lead and execute a variety of composites materials & fabrication development projects to transform ideas into reality. We work closely with the BTI Materials & Structures, BCA Product Development, and BCA Airplane Program teams to identify, develop and transition technology solutions to Boeing products.

As a Composites Automation MP&P Engineer in APA, you will work with experienced teammates to develop requirements for the automated fabrication and assembly of primarily composites components to support the development and test of new aerospace products. You will lead equipment design projects, process development evaluations, fabrication and assembly trials, and oversee manufacturing demonstration build activities utilizing these automated processes. You will work closely with stakeholders across Boeing and Industry to identify strategic development opportunities in the areas of composites automation. You will also work closely with our BTI Materials & Structures teammates to ensure these automated processes are rate-capable and compatible with new composite material systems and structural architectures. The chosen candidate will be motivated, self-driven and will have excellent written and verbal communication skills. A successful candidate in this role will have passion, creativity, and a strong desire for process improvement and efficiency. The ideal candidate will also have a strong desire to be out on the production/laboratory floor leading and providing hands on support to the manufacturing tasks. With our variety of work, you won’t be bored!

Position Responsibilities Include:

• Identify, develop and refine automated process requirements by evaluating new aerospace product designs for structural, rate and quality requirements.
• Develop and validate automated manufacturing processes & equipment (e.g. pick and place, lamination, automated fiber placement, green trim, forming, robotic sanding, robotic drilling etc) through machine/cell/end-effector design, architecting of controls & programming, physical and virtual cell commissioning, and system level validation
• Demonstrate the manufacturing readiness of these automated processes through lab level trials, manufacturing demonstrations, test article fabrication, and production hardening efforts
• Collect, analyze, and summarize experimental data; prepare test reports and present findings to the team
• Develop and maintain process documentation, work instructions, and process control plans for production transitions
• Support root-cause investigations and corrective actions for material and process related nonconformances
• Conduct supplier evaluations and material qualification activities
• Follow safety, quality and environmental procedures in the lab and manufacturing areas
• Assists in evaluation of emerging technologies for potential application to business needs

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills/Experience):

• Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited course of study in engineering, engineering technology (including manufacturing engineering technology), chemistry, physics, mathematics, data science, or computer science  
• 5+ years of experience developing, testing, or production‑hardening automated manufacturing equipment, robotics, or tooling in a lab or production environment.

Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience):

• Hands on experience with composite manufacturing methods including materials handling, processing, fabrication, and assembly methods for aerospace components (eg. autoclave & out-of-autoclave processing, resin infusion, AFP/ATL, pick-n-place, automated cutting, in-process inspection, etc.)
• Proven experience leading equipment design projects from concept through demonstration and up to production system validation: stakeholder discovery, requirements development, Make/Buy analysis, vendor collaboration, factory/field installation, and production readiness reviews.
• Experience with robotics integration and robot programming (e.g., ABB, FANUC, KUKA, Universal Robots) and PLCs or motion controllers; machine trouble shooting; robotics integration and offline programming/simulation (Process Simulate, RobotStudio, 3Dx, RoboDK, or equivalent).
• Working knowledge of industrial machine sensors such as proximity sensors, thermal sensors, optical sensors, position encoders, vision systems and their signal interface
• PLC configuration and coding in IEC 1131 languages, particularly with Siemens and Allen Bradley products (TIA Portal and Studio5000)
• Familiarity with industrial networking implementation and protocols, particularly Ethernet/IP and profinet, familiarity with common data protocols such as OPC
• Familiarity with composite material systems and their compatibility with automated processes (thermoset and thermoplastic prepreg, dry fiber/through‑thickness reinforcements, adhesives).
• Experience using CAD/CAM tools for equipment or tooling design (Catia V5 is preferred; familiarity with SolidWorks, NX, or equivalent acceptable).
• Experience performing hands‑on prototyping, lab demonstrations, and off‑site collaboration with manufacturing sites and vendors.
• Ability to read, understand, and interpret engineering drawings and specifications
• Strong problem solving and experimental skills; ability to apply knowledge of materials engineering and scientific principles to develop, design, analyze, test, and validate solutions for complex systems, sub-systems and designs
• Familiarity with relevant regulatory or industry standards applicable to aerospace production systems and ground support equipment.
• Solid written and verbal communication skills; able to prepare clear test reports and presentations
• Willingness to work in lab/manufacturing environments

Travel:

• Employee would be expected to travel up to 20% of the time.

Drug Free Workplace:

Boeing is a Drug Free Workplace (DFW) where post offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies.

Pay & Benefits:

At Boeing, we strive to deliver a Total Rewards package that will attract, engage and retain the top talent.  Elements of the Total Rewards package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities. 

The Boeing Company also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work. 

The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

Pay is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations. 

Pay Range Mid-Level: $119,850 - $162,150

Pay Range Senior: $146,200 - $197,800

Language Requirements:

Not Applicable

Education:

Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent

Relocation:

This position offers relocation based on candidate eligibility.

Export Control Requirement:

This position must meet U.S. export control compliance requirements. To meet U.S. export control compliance requirements, a “U.S. Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. §120.62 is required. “U.S. Person” includes U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.

Safety Sensitive:

This is not a Safety Sensitive Position.

Security Clearance:

This position requires the ability to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance for which the U.S. Government requires U.S. Citizenship. An interim and/or final U.S. Top Secret Clearance Post-Start is required.

Visa Sponsorship:

Employer will not sponsor applicants for employment visa status.

Contingent Upon Award Program

This position is not contingent upon program award

Shift:

Shift 1 (United States of America)

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