Composites Engineer

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related discipline, or equivalent experience
• Exposure to composite materials and processes (academic or professional)
• Demonstrated hands-on engineering experience working directly with tools, materials, and hardware in a lab, shop, or similar environment (e.g., fabrication, assembly, mechanical testing, or prototyping activities)
• Experience with 3D CAD modeling tools (Creo preferred)
• Strong mechanical aptitude and problem-solving capability
• Ability to work effectively in a team-based environment
• Able to obtain a secret clearance

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control (MFC) is seeking a Composites Development Lab Research Engineer to support laboratory operations and execute development efforts in advanced composite materials and processes.

This role combines hands-on lab execution with applied research and development. The selected candidate will support daily lab activities while contributing to internal research (IRAD) and program-driven efforts.

The engineer will operate in a hands-on lab environment and collaborate across design, materials and processes (M&P), manufacturing, and test organizations.

Key Responsibilities

• Support daily operations of a composites development laboratory
• Execute hands-on composite manufacturing processes (tooling design, tool prep, wet layup, prepreg layup, resin infusion, oven/autoclave cure, assembly)
• Create and maintain 3D CAD models and engineering drawings to support tooling and hardware development
• Perform tolerance stack-ups and ensure fit, form, and function of assemblies
• Assist in development and maturation of composite materials, processes, and tooling approaches
• Support inspection and evaluation activities (NDI, visual inspection, dimensional verification)
• Maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot lab equipment and tooling to ensure reliable and repeatable operation
• Plan and execute experiments, including test setup, data collection, and reporting
• Support design trade studies and concept evaluations
• Contribute to and progressively take ownership of IRAD efforts, including proposal development, execution, schedule and budget tracking, and technical reporting
• Present technical results to internal stakeholders and leadership
• Participate in design reviews and technical interchange meetings
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including manufacturing and suppliers, to ensure producibility and cost-effective designs and to transition lab-developed concepts into program applications
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and configuration control requirements

We are committed to supporting your work-life balance and overall well-being, offering flexible scheduling options Learn more about Lockheed Martin’s comprehensive benefits package here.

Further Information About This Opportunity

This position is in Orlando. Discover more about our Orlando, Florida location.

Desired Skills

• Practical experience with composites across multiple domains: Design, Materials and Processes (M&P), Manufacturing methods (prepreg, infusion, RTM, etc.), Testing and inspection techniques
• Experience in mechanical design and development
• Experience executing or supporting research and development efforts (including proposal writing, scheduling, budgeting, and reporting)
• Experience with GD&T and tolerance analysis
• Exposure to structural and/or thermal analysis methods
• Experience supporting hardware builds, integration, or testing
• Experience with NDI methods (ultrasound, shearography, radiography, etc.)
• Experience maintaining and troubleshooting lab equipment
• Experience with configuration management and engineering release processes
• Experience coordinating with manufacturing and/or suppliers to ensure producibility and cost-effective designs
• Familiarity with missile systems or military hardware
• Experience operating within an aerospace or defense IPT environment
• Experience independently executing scoped technical efforts or leading small projects

By applying to this job, you are expressing interest in this position and could be considered for other career opportunities where similar skills and requirements have been identified as a match. Should this match be identified you may be contacted for this and future openings.

Ability to work remotely

Onsite Full-time: The work associated with this position will be performed onsite at a designated Lockheed Martin facility.