Senior Fiberglass Design Engineer - Smithfield, NC

Title: Senior Fiberglass Design Engineer - Smithfield, NC

Job Type: Full Time | Exempt

Compensation: $130K to $140K + Bonus (dependent upon candidate experience)

Benefits: The position is eligible for medical, dental, vision

Location: 100% onsite in Smithfield, NC - Relocation Assistance Provided on case by case basis

We are seeking a hands-on, well-rounded Senior Fiberglass Design Engineer with strong experience in fiberglass/composite product design and manufacturing. This role offers the opportunity to take ownership of products from initial concept through design, development, testing, manufacturing, and launch . The ideal candidate is comfortable working both in a design environment and directly on the manufacturing floor to troubleshoot issues, improve processes, and ensure products meet performance and quality requirements.

Approximately 75% of the role will focus on new product design, 15% on sustaining existing products, and 10% on material design and development .

Key Responsibilities

• Lead product design and development projects from concept through production and launch.
• Manage projects through a structured stage-gate development process.
• Design and develop fiberglass and composite products for structural applications.
• Research and evaluate alternative composite materials, resins, fabrics, and processing methods.
• Utilize advanced composite analysis, 3D solid modeling, and FEA to develop and validate product solutions.
• Conduct structural analysis of composite and metallic components and assemblies.
• Design molds and tooling to efficiently process composite materials while meeting design and manufacturing requirements.
• Coordinate prototypes, testing, analysis, product releases, BOMs, part numbers, and Engineering Change Notices (ECNs).
• Work directly with manufacturing to review processes, troubleshoot issues, and identify opportunities for improved efficiency, quality, and productivity.
• Support products following launch by addressing material, production, field, and supply chain issues.
• Recommend alternative materials or solutions when supply chain disruptions or material shortages affect production.
• Identify and execute cost-reduction and continuous-improvement projects.
• Support sustainability and productivity initiatives related to composite manufacturing.
• Evaluate field and production issues and recommend design or process improvements.
• Collaborate closely with Manufacturing, Purchasing, Quality, Sales, Marketing, Inventory, Production, Tooling, and other functional teams.
• Manage multiple strategic projects simultaneously while maintaining strong attention to detail and document control.
• Contribute new ideas and innovative solutions to improve products and processes.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Composite Engineering, Materials Science , or a related engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of Design Engineering experience , preferably in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong hands-on experience with fiberglass/composite design and manufacturing for structural applications.
• Experience with composite manufacturing processes including LRTM, RTM, compression molding, injection molding, reaction injection molding, and SMC .
• Strong 3D CAD/solid modeling experience.
• Experience with FEA/finite element analysis .
• Ability to take a product from concept through design, prototyping, testing, manufacturing, and launch.
• Strong understanding of composite materials, manufacturing processes, and structural design.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively across multiple departments.
• Ability to receive and incorporate input and constructive feedback from cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with NX, ANSYS, Siemens Teamcenter, and/or Oracle .
• Experience with Engineering Change Notice (ECN) and Product Development Processes (PDP).
• Familiarity with industry standards including ISO-9001, NFPA, UL, EPA, AASHTO, ASTM, ANSI, and ASME.
• Experience with BOM creation, part number setup, document control, and product releases.
• Experience with cost reduction, continuous improvement, and manufacturing optimization initiatives.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a hands‑on fiberglass/composite engineer who enjoys owning products from concept through production rather than working in a highly siloed environment. This person should be comfortable collaborating with manufacturing and other functional teams, spending time on the production floor, solving real-world problems, and balancing design requirements with manufacturability, cost, quality, performance, and supply chain considerations .

Direct, real-world fiberglass/composite manufacturing experience is required.