Principal Composites Engineer

Senior Composite / Filament Winding Lead | Advanced Materials Project

Seeking a Senior Composite / Filament Winding Lead, Composite Materials Specialist, or Filament Winding Engineer to drive technical excellence in advanced carbon fibre composite manufacturing within a leading research environment based in the northern metropolitan area of Adelaide.
This is a casual fixed-term role offering engagement in cutting-edge materials innovation.

About the Senior Composite / Filament Winding Lead role

• Experience required: Extensive background in composite materials, filament winding techniques, and carbon fibre manufacturing technologies.
• Remuneration: Competitive casual hourly rate reflective of expertise with appropriate leave loading.
• Location: Northern metropolitan Adelaide region.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the technical delivery of early-stage composite material capability projects, providing expertise in continuous carbon fibre manufacture and related testing.
• Develop and propose detailed test and implementation plans for carbon fibre and resin selections, considering both commercial and local material options.
• Define and refine filament winding processes involving fibre tension control, layup patterns, curing regimes, and prepreg management to achieve optimal performance.
• Evaluate mechanical performance testing methods for small-scale composite specimens and advise on suitable testing facilities and protocols.
• Offer technical advice regarding manufacturing challenges, cost influences, and opportunities to improve composite reliability and performance.
• Collaborate closely with engineers, manufacturing partners, and test agencies to ensure technical consistency and project objectives alignment.
• Provide input into future manufacturing and testing strategies for subsequent project phases.

Why apply?

This position offers a unique chance to serve as a senior technical lead on an advanced materials project within the defence sector, focusing on innovative carbon fibre filament winding technologies. Your contributions will shape manufacturing strategies and testing frameworks crucial to the program's success. You will engage with a network of technical specialists and stakeholders involved from concept through to implementation stages.

About the organisation
A prominent Australian research organisation dedicated to advancing sovereign manufacturing capabilities and advanced material science. They offer flexible working arrangements, robust industry and government connections, and rewarding casual opportunities.

What we are looking for

• Proven expertise in filament winding and carbon fibre composite manufacturing processes.
• Strong knowledge of resin chemistry, curing cycles, and composite evaluation methods.
• Ability to lead technical aspects of complex projects and effectively collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
• Australian citizenship is mandatory due to security requirements.

Benefits

• Competitive casual hourly rate inclusive of leave loading.
• Flexible working arrangements, including options for remote work.
• Participation in advanced composite material technology projects within the defence sector.
• Access to national research partnerships and sovereign manufacturing initiatives.
• Opportunity to influence manufacturing and testing methodology development.

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