Senior Engineer (Composites)

Be part of a unique growth story! 

Join us to help build the leading advanced composites automation and digital manufacturing company. Airborne is a technology leader in advanced composites, specialised in the industrialisation of engineering and manufacturing of durable fibre reinforced composites for Space, Aeronautics, Transport and Marine industries. Via Airborne’s unique combination of skills: our deep and wide composites, software engineering and mechatronics knowledge – we enable our customers to unlock their full potential in digital manufacturing growth and create a competitive advantage. We are agile, flexible and think like a start-up. This nimble approach is challenging for many incumbent companies—but it is at the heart of how we think to build winning positions by developing integrated, automated, and connected manufacturing solutions for the composite industry. 

Together we are a dynamic group of 135 highly educated and enthusiastic employees, split between our headquarter in The Hague Ypenburg (NL) and our site in Lambourn (UK). 

What is your new job? 

The role of Senior Engineer is responsible for design, process development and project management activities for Airborne and our clients. The role requires consideration for efficient and timely delivery, that can be manufactured and achieves internal and external technical and commercial expectations. 

Scope & Relationships: 

• Reports to Engineering Manager 

• Development of engineering solutions. 

• Interaction with project stakeholders: Clients, internal relationships, suppliers, certification. 

You are responsible for: 

• Obtain a clear understanding and assimilation of project requirements. 

• Develop engineering solutions within the framework of company systems and procedures and utilising such engineering tools as are appropriate and available (CAD, CAM, NESTING, FEA, Hand Calculations) with due consideration of budgets.  These solutions will be aligned with company commercial strategy and constraints.  Specific tasks will include: 

  • Creation of solid models and corresponding technical documentations using CAD 

  • Creation of programmes for NC equipment (ply cutter and router) 

  • Develops MPSs and other production documentation as required. 

  • Lead feasibility studies. 

  • Lead project related activities such as: 

    • Design for manufacturing 

    • Detail design, stress analysis and design for manufacture of products. 

    • Design of Tooling. 

    • Design and execution of test plans. 

    • Development of quality plans and inspection and test plans. 

  • Planning and supervising process qualification. 

  • Generation of production documentation and reports. 

  • Troubleshooting production problems. 

  • Ad hoc tasks as necessary for the project delivery 

  • Process development such as manufacturing trials. 

  • Knowledge and application of composite manufacturing processes. 

  • Characterisation of materials and material testing plans. 

  • Understanding application of automation & digitalisation within composites domain. 

  • Evaluation of product compatibility with existing automation equipment for medium and high volume. 

• Development of commercial offers considering likely materials, manufacturing process, production hours and profit margins. 

• Project management of projects related to medium to high volume production using such tools as project plans; decision and action trackers; DFMEA. PFMEA; production schedule analysis and planning. 

• Analysis of quality issues using six sigma tools such as fishbone; 8D; DMAIC. 

• Participating in identifying and developing technology for targeted opportunities. 

• Project liaison management including QCP documents and reporting of progress. 

• Supplier management. 

• Identification of Intellectual Property to allow it to be secured. 

• Ensure the security of work through company IT systems. 

• To complete timesheets as necessary to allow project tracking. 

• Personal attention to health, safety and environmental related aspects. 

Reporting Lines and Interactions 

 
You will report to the engineering manager in Airborne UK. You will collaborate with your colleagues in the business unit (Project Management, Engineering Design and Process Development, Automation), Airborne UK’s partners, colleagues in Airborne NL, suppliers, and customers. 

Characteristics:  

Essential: 

• Proven ability to synthesise technical solutions and strategies and develop substantiated conclusions 

• Competently address engineering problems involving uncertainty, ambiguity, wide-ranging and sometimes conflicting technical and non-technical factors 

• Demonstrable ability to conceptualise alternative engineering approaches and evaluates potential outcomes against appropriate criteria to justify an optimal or novel engineering solution 

• Sharing expertise and insight with other engineers 

• Able to manage multiple projects at the same time under critical timelines.  

Desirable: 

• Understands the importance of being a member of a professional technical community, learning from its knowledge and standards and being able to actively contribute to its advancement 

• Able to express complex/specialist technical information effectively and succinctly, issuing instructions, engaging in discussion, formulating arguments and justification, debating and negotiating – to technical and non-technical audiences and using appropriate media best suited to the audience and context 

• Able to prepare exemplary engineering documents and presentations pertinent to the audience  
   

Qualifications:  

Essential: 

• Masters in Mechanical/ Materials Engineering or other relevant degrees/qualification  

• Substantial engineering experience with composite materials 

Desirable: 

• PhD in the specialist area 

• Chartered Engineer with a professional institute (IMechE, IOM3) 

What we offer 
 
Working at Airborne International will give you the opportunity to develop your career by working on highly innovative projects. 
We offer you a well rewarding job in an inspiring environment with like-minded and talented colleagues. You will become part of our inspiring company where innovation, quality and creativity are key to meet our company goals. We will give you the opportunity for personal and professional growth, by training, learning on the job and coaching. 
 
​A fantastic opportunity to be part of a unique growth story! 

Furthermore, we offer: 

• Competitive salary  

• 25 days annual leave 

• Generous benefits package including: 

  • Pension plan

  • Private health insurance

  • 13 weeks paid sickness leave 

  • Income protection for sickness or injury at 70% of salary Death in service (3x salary) 

Please note all applicants must be eligible to work in the UK.