Position The Materials and Processes Engineer is responsible for the review, evaluation, and approval of aircraft materials, manufacturing processes, and product modifications to ensure compliance with regulatory, airworthiness, quality, and environmental requirements. The role also includes qualification, approval, and surveillance of De Havilland suppliers performing special processes, as well as providing technical leadership and expertise in the selection, application, and control of aerospace materials and manufacturing technologies throughout the product lifecycle.
The incumbent works closely with Design Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Compliance, external laboratories, and suppliers to ensure materials and processes meet company, customer, and regulatory requirements while supporting safe, reliable, and cost-effective aircraft production and in-service operation.
Responsibilities- Evaluate and approve new metallic and non-metallic materials for aerospace applications, including assessment of mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, durability, manufacturability, and regulatory compliance.
- Work closely with material suppliers, special process vendors, testing laboratories, and regulatory authorities in the qualification, validation, and implementation of materials and processes.
- Develop, maintain, review, and revise materials specifications, process specifications, engineering standards, and related technical documentation.
- Assess materials and processes for compliance with environmental and regulatory requirements, including REACH, EPA, CEPA, RoHS, and other applicable regulations.
- Review aircraft repairs, product modifications, concessions, and deviations to ensure compliance with approved materials, manufacturing processes, certification requirements, and airworthiness regulations.
- Support root cause investigations and corrective action activities related to material failures, corrosion findings, manufacturing defects, and process non-conformances.
- Review, evaluate, and implement new materials technologies, manufacturing methods, and industry best practices to improve product quality, reliability, and competitiveness.
- Provide technical guidance and engineering support to internal stakeholders, operators, and maintenance organizations regarding material selection, processing requirements, corrosion prevention, and special process applications.
- Plan and conduct supplier audits and assessments to verify compliance with special process requirements, industry standards, and De Havilland specifications.
- Evaluate supplier capability, process controls, personnel qualifications, and facility requirements for approval of special process sources.
- Review and disposition supplier requests for process deviations, material substitutions, and concessions while ensuring continued compliance with engineering and regulatory requirements.
- Collaborate with Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain organizations to resolve supplier quality issues and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
- Support certification, continued airworthiness, and production approval activities related to materials and processes.
- Actively participate in continuous improvement initiatives to enhance engineering efficiency, process effectiveness, product quality, and customer satisfaction.
- Maintain current knowledge of emerging materials technologies, manufacturing processes, aerospace standards, and regulatory changes affecting the industry.
- Support internal and external audits, including quality system, regulatory, customer, and NADCAP audits.
- Assist with airworthiness investigations, containment actions, corrective action development, and implementation activities.
- Contribute to training, mentoring, and knowledge-sharing activities within the engineering organization.
- Support strategic initiatives related to supplier development, process standardization, and technical capability growth.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Materials Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent discipline.
- Licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) or eligible for professional engineering registration.
- Minimum of 5 years of relevant aerospace industry experience in materials engineering, metallurgy, manufacturing processes, or special process oversight.
- Demonstrated experience with aerospace special processes, including heat treatment, chemical processing, plating, coating, welding, brazing, shot peening, non-destructive testing, and corrosion prevention/protection systems.
- Good understanding of aerospace quality systems and industry standards, including NADCAP, AS9100, and ISO 9001.
- Knowledge of Transport Canada, FAA, EASA, and other applicable aerospace regulatory requirements related to materials and manufacturing processes.
Skills- Strong technical understanding of aerospace materials, manufacturing processes, and special process controls.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, material specifications, process specifications, and regulatory requirements.
- Experience conducting technical investigations and failure analyses using sound engineering principles.
- Strong analytical and decision-making skills with the ability to balance technical, quality, regulatory, and business considerations.
- Ability to effectively influence internal and external stakeholders and work within cross-functional teams.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a dynamic environment.
- Strong leadership, project management, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
- Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally to supplier facilities and audit locations as required.
In addition to plenty of opportunities for career growth in a stimulating work environment, De Havilland Canada offers:
- Competitive wages
- Paid vacation
- Extended health benefits (medical, dental, vision, paramedical)
- Life insurance
- RRSP/DPSP Plan
- Employee and family assistance program
At De Havilland Aircraft of Canada (DHC), we are committed to protecting our people, customers, shareholders and the public through Health & Safety Excellence. As such, it is expected that all employees maintain strict adherence to Health & Safety Policies and to perform key physical tasks of the position described in the job description and interview process. This may include but is not limited to the ability to work in a variety of environmental conditions including temperature extremes, confined spaces, working at heights and with or around chemicals. Employees are expected to adhere to the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when at work which must include but is not limited to the ability to maintain a positive fit test when mask use is required.
