Full Job Description
Position Overview
The Director of Advanced Materials & Hypersonics will lead a high-performing team of engineers and material scientists focused on the development, qualification, and transition of advanced composite materials and manufacturing processes for ultra-high-temperature reentry and hypersonic applications. This role requires a forward-looking technical leader capable of guiding strategic R&D initiatives, building strong customer relationships across the DoD community, and driving execution excellence from concept through deployment.
Key Responsibilities
• Provide strategic leadership for the development of advanced materials, thermal protection systems, and high-temperature composite structures supporting hypersonic and reentry programs.
• Oversee all phases of material and process development, including concept exploration, architecture definition, design/build/test cycles, qualification, and transition to production.
• Lead a multidisciplinary engineering and materials science team, ensuring strong collaboration, technical rigor, and professional development.
• Engage with DoD customers, national laboratories, and industry partners to shape program requirements, influence technology roadmaps, and ensure alignment with mission priorities.
• Drive proposal development, including technical volumes, cost strategies, and program execution plans for competitive DoD opportunities.
• Ensure program execution excellence with attention to schedule, risk management, cost performance, and compliance with quality and security requirements.
Required Qualifications
• Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to interface effectively with senior leadership, government stakeholders, and technical teams.
• Demonstrated experience designing or architecting advanced material systems for high-temperature flight environments, including strategic reentry and hypersonic applications.
• Hands-on experience with composite material development and the design/build/test lifecycle.
• Proven ability to lead diverse, multifunctional teams in a highly technical environment.
• US citizenship and ability to obtain at least a Secret security clearance.
Technical Expertise (Highly Desired)
• Deep understanding of carbon/carbon, ceramic matrix composites, polymer matrix composites, and related high-temperature systems.
• Experience with thermal protection systems, high-temperature materials testing, ablation behavior, and densification processes.
• Knowledge of additive manufacturing approaches relevant to extreme-environment materials.
• Familiarity with multidirectional weaving technologies.
• Experience with physics-based modeling, mathematical simulations, and performance prediction tools.
Additional Leadership & Strategic Skills
• Experience engaging with DoD S&T organizations such as AFRL, DARPA, MDA, ARL and ONR.
• Ability to develop technology roadmaps and long-term investment strategies aligned with customer mission needs.
• Strong business development skills, including shaping opportunities, building customer relationships, and developing competitive proposals.
• Knowledge of ITAR/EAR, AS9100, and other quality and compliance frameworks.
• Ability to lead in fast-paced, ambiguous environments while balancing near-term execution with long-term strategic goals.
Education & Experience
BS in Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field required; MS or Ph.D. strongly preferred.
Minimum of 15 years of relevant experience with a BS, or 10+ years with an MS/Ph.D., including leadership of advanced materials development programs.
