Senior Customer Engineer – Advanced Composite Materials Development, Aerospace Manufacturing Innovation, and Client Solutions Leadership

About arenaflex

At arenaflex, we are pioneers in the science of advanced materials. Our mission is to create groundbreaking composite solutions that transform how people live, travel, and work while protecting the planet for future generations. With a heritage of over a century in material science and a modern commitment to sustainability, arenaflex brings together brilliant minds from every discipline to solve the toughest challenges in aerospace, automotive, energy, and consumer goods.

Our global workforce of more than 13,000 associates collaborates across continents, leveraging cutting‑edge research, state‑of‑the‑art manufacturing facilities, and a culture that celebrates diversity, curiosity, and bold ideas. Whether you are developing next‑generation thermoplastic prepregs or guiding customers through complex certification pathways, you will be part of a team that turns scientific insight into real‑world impact.

Why This Role Matters

The Senior Customer Engineer is the strategic bridge between arenaflex’s innovative material technologies and the aerospace customers who rely on them. In this role you will shape the future of composite manufacturing, influence product roadmaps, and ensure that our customers achieve superior performance, safety, and cost efficiency. Your expertise will drive new business opportunities, resolve critical technical challenges, and reinforce arenaflex’s reputation as the go‑to partner for high‑performance composites.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Innovation

• Develop and nurture new composite materials and manufacturing technologies that align with market demands and specific customer requirements.
• Lead concept‑development activities for emerging opportunities, integrating material science, process engineering, and part design.
• Act as the principal technical interface with customers, championing their needs within arenaflex’s internal teams.
• Identify technology gaps, propose strategic solutions, and advise on future product and process development.
• Promote arenaflex products and articulate clear value propositions to diverse stakeholder groups.
• Advise customers on material and process selections for novel composite applications, supporting trade studies and recommendation reports.

Project Execution & Support

• Lead and support projects that involve material manufacturing, prototyping, and part builds using thermoset prepregs, thermoplastics, adhesives, primers, and surfacing films.
• Oversee processes such as autoclave, out‑of‑autoclave, press‑molding, and resin infusion, ensuring compliance with aerospace standards.
• Provide field technical support to major aerospace OEMs and subcontractors for both new and legacy programs.
• Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve material issues in aerospace composite shops, acting as the “Voice of the Customer” to achieve mutually acceptable solutions.
• Collaborate with shop‑floor mechanics, senior procurement managers, engineers, R&D staff, quality specialists, and manufacturing leaders.

Research, Development & Market Expansion

• Lead and support R&D initiatives that align with technical and business objectives, including simulation analysis for composite part manufacturing and structural performance.
• Identify potential new applications for arenaflex products, work with Account Managers to capture new business, assess market trends, develop business cases, and evaluate competitor materials.
• Foster new processes for material deposition, forming, and curing to accelerate technology adoption on aerospace platforms.
• Accompany customers on arenaflex site audits and visits, providing leadership and technical expertise as required.
• Support targeted projects focused on product configuration, capability enhancement, cost reduction, problem solving, and Lean manufacturing.
• Coordinate conformance and specification issues between arenaflex plants and key customer procurement and specification custodians.

Subject Matter Expertise & Knowledge Transfer

• Become a recognized Subject Matter Expert (SME) on one or more aspects of composite parts, sharing knowledge across internal teams and external partners.
• Develop and deliver technical presentations, training sessions, and documentation to elevate customer understanding of arenaflex solutions.
• Maintain awareness of aerospace industry standards, OEM requirements, quality systems, testing protocols, and statistical process control methodologies.

Essential Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related discipline (minimum). A Master’s or PhD is a strong plus.
• Experience: At least 5 years of hands‑on experience in aerospace composites, including problem solving, technical presentations, project management, and relationship building.
• Design Review Expertise: Minimum 2 years reviewing composite part designs/drawings for manufacturability and specification compliance.
• Technical Knowledge: Deep understanding of aerospace composite part fabrication, including thermoset and thermoplastic systems, autoclave and out‑of‑autoclave processes, and resin infusion techniques.
• Industry Insight: Familiarity with aerospace OEMs, their supply chains, quality systems (e.g., AS9100), composite testing requirements, and statistical process control.
• Communication Skills: Ability to convey complex technical concepts to audiences ranging from shop‑floor technicians to senior executives.

Preferred Qualifications & Additional Skills

• Advanced degree (MSc or PhD) focused on composite materials, polymer science, or related fields.
• Experience with Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies.
• Proficiency in simulation tools such as Abaqus, ANSYS, or COMSOL for structural analysis.
• Track record of publishing technical papers or patents in the composites domain.
• Fluency in multiple languages to support global customer interactions.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% of the time, including international site visits.

Core Competencies for Success

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to anticipate market trends and align technical solutions with business objectives.
• Customer‑Centric Mindset: Proactive in listening to customer challenges and delivering tailored, value‑added solutions.
• Collaboration: Works effectively across multidisciplinary teams, fostering trust and shared ownership of outcomes.
• Problem‑Solving: Applies analytical rigor to diagnose issues, develop root‑cause analyses, and implement corrective actions.
• Leadership: Guides project teams, mentors junior engineers, and influences senior stakeholders.
• Adaptability: Thrives in a fast‑changing environment, balancing multiple priorities while maintaining high quality.

Career Growth & Learning Opportunities

At arenaflex, your career trajectory is shaped by your ambition and the breadth of opportunities we provide. As a Senior Customer Engineer you will:

• Gain exposure to a portfolio of high‑profile aerospace programs and leading OEMs.
• Lead cross‑functional initiatives that influence global product roadmaps.
• Access a robust internal training platform, including technical courses, leadership development, and language programs (24 languages available).
• Participate in industry conferences, standards committees, and research collaborations.
• Mentor emerging talent, building the next generation of composite experts.
• Explore lateral moves into product management, business development, or advanced R&D roles.

Work Environment & Culture at arenaflex

Our hybrid work model blends the collaborative energy of our state‑of‑the‑art Anaheim, CA manufacturing hub with the flexibility of remote work. You will enjoy:

• A safety‑first culture where every employee is empowered to identify and mitigate risks.
• Inclusive teams that celebrate diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and ideas.
• Open communication channels that encourage feedback, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Modern labs and prototyping facilities equipped with the latest autoclave, press‑molding, and resin infusion technologies.
• Social and well‑being programs, including physical and psychological wellness sessions.

Compensation, Perks & Benefits

• Base Salary: Competitive U.S. range of $90,880 – $113,600, with adjustments based on experience, expertise, and market factors.
• Performance Bonuses & Incentives: Additional compensation tied to individual and company performance.
• Parental Leave: 16 + weeks of maternity, paternity, and co‑parenting leave, aligned with local regulations.
• Learning & Development: Unlimited access to a digital training platform, tuition reimbursement, and certification support.
• Language Programs: Free enrollment in courses covering 24 languages to enhance global communication.
• Well‑Being: Complimentary wellness sessions covering physical fitness, mental health, and stress management.
• Travel Support: Reimbursement for business travel, including accommodations and meals.
• Hybrid Flexibility: Ability to work from home while maintaining regular presence at the Anaheim plant for hands‑on activities.

Commitment to Equality & Inclusion

arenaflex is an equal‑opportunity employer. We evaluate all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We are dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require assistance, please contact our HR team at [email protected].

How to Apply

If you are ready to drive innovation in aerospace composites, influence global product strategies, and become a trusted advisor to world‑class customers, we invite you to submit your application today. Join arenaflex and help shape a future where advanced materials make the world safer, cleaner, and more sustainable.

Apply Job!