Rock West Composites, Inc. has an exciting opportunity for a Test Engineer.

Rock West Composites, Inc. is an engineering and manufacturing company dedicated to providing innovative solutions for commercial and government customers. This position is located in our San Diego, CA-92154 location and reports to the Director of Engineering.

Position Summary:

Oversee, devise, and conduct structural, thermal and chemical/cure testing of composite materials and structures in support of programs and development. Support the acquisition and installation of testing equipment as needed to conduct structural, thermal and chemical/cure testing. Create and implement testing procedures as needed to perform mechanical tests of composites in a controlled, compliant and consistent manner.

Essential Functions:

• Specify and oversee testing of composite coupons and structures at outside test labs to meet program requirements regarding accuracy and compliance. Testing can include mechanical properties, thermal exposure, and chemical/cure analysis.
• Acquire and install mechanical test and data acquisition equipment enabling coupon-level tests of composite materials.
• Collaborate, acquire, and install mechanical loading and data acquisition equipment needed to test structural components/assemblies to customized load conditions.
• Be able to define and work within budgets allocated for mechanical testing equipment.
• Conduct mechanical testing of composite specimens and structures; and/or oversee technicians who conduct such tests.
• Create/document internal standards and specifications for performing mechanical tests, thermal conditioning (e.g. thermal vacuum) and chemical/cure analysis (e.g., DMA, resin content, fiber volume).
• Create data collection/documentation templates that are clear, complete and accurate.
• Write clear, concise test reports documenting test data, test methods, and other pertinent factors.
• Be able to gather technical inputs from experienced composites engineers and then combine them into clear, cohesive standards for testing materials and structures.
• Identify areas for improvement in materials and structural testing.
• Understands classical lamination theory.
• Competent in Microsoft Office applications – MSWord, Excel, Powerpoint.
• Good communication skills, both verbal and technical writing.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Able to train/teach technicians and manufacturing engineers how to safely perform basic test methods as needed.
• Ability to work with Quality assurance to document data to meet customer flow down requirements (i.e., Inspection, test and verification methods with clearly define acceptance criteria).
• Ability to generate MS Project schedules time phased to address their near-term action items.

Required Education and Experience:

• BS in Mechanical Engineering (or similar) + 5 yrs pertinent engineering experience
• MS in Mechanical Engineering (or similar) + 1 yr pertinent engineering experience
• PhD in Mechanical Engineering (or similar)

Why should you want to work with us? Rock West Composites cares about our employees! Not only do we offer great benefits to our full-time employees (Medical & Dental 100% employer paid, Vision, Paid Time Off and 401K match), we offer a fun and friendly working environment!

Rock West Composites is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the company to provide equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status or any other basis prohibited by state or federal law. Rock West Composites holds employees safety as a high standard and strictly enforces a No Drug and Alcohol Policy and pre-employment and random drug testing

If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact 858-537-6260.