Senior Customer Engineer – Aerospace Composite Materials & Advanced Manufacturing Solutions
About arenaflex
At arenaflex, we believe that chemistry is more than a science—it is the spark that happens when visionary thinkers, passionate engineers, and curious innovators come together to reimagine what is possible. As a forward-looking leader in advanced composite materials and specialty chemistries, arenaflex develops groundbreaking solutions that enhance the way the world lives, works, travels, and plays. From the planes soaring overhead to the cars of tomorrow, from cutting-edge batteries to life-changing medical devices, our technologies quietly shape a safer, cleaner, and more sustainable future.
Inspired by a legacy of scientific excellence and driven by the ambition of a circular economy, arenaflex brings together a diverse, global team of more than 13,000 associates united by a single purpose: to push the limits of science and innovation for the benefit of our customers and the planet. We champion unity over uniformity, valuing every background, perspective, and idea as a catalyst for progress. When you join arenaflex, you join a community where your differences are celebrated, your growth is prioritized, and your contributions genuinely matter.
Position Overview
We are seeking an accomplished and technically exceptional Senior Customer Engineer to join our Aerospace Composite Materials team. In this high-impact role, you will serve as the principal technical liaison between arenaflex and our most important aerospace customers—including major OEMs and tier-one subcontractors. You will drive the development and adoption of next-generation composite materials and manufacturing processes, champion the voice of the customer across our internal functions, and play a critical role in shaping the future of flight.
This is a rare opportunity for a seasoned composites professional to combine deep technical expertise with strategic customer engagement, all while working at the forefront of aerospace innovation. If you are passionate about materials science, thrive in collaborative environments, and want to leave a lasting mark on an industry that literally moves the world, arenaflex is the place for you.
Key Responsibilities
- Customer Technical Leadership: Act as the primary technical interface with aerospace customers, translating their needs into actionable material, process, and part design strategies.
- Composite Materials Development: Develop and nurture new composite materials and manufacturing technologies aligned with market and customer requirements, including thermoset prepregs, thermoplastics, adhesives, primers, and surfacing films.
- Concept Development: Lead concept development activities that couple material selection, process engineering, and part design for new opportunities and emerging platforms.
- Field Technical Support: Provide on-site technical support to aerospace OEMs and subcontractors for both new programs and legacy platforms, traveling as needed (up to 25%).
- Problem Resolution: Identify, investigate, and lead resolution of material and process issues in aerospace composite shops, serving as the trusted "Voice of the Customer" within arenaflex.
- Trade Studies & Recommendations: Advise customers on processing parameters and material properties, support trade studies, and provide product selection recommendations tailored to specific parts and applications.
- Research & Development: Lead and support R&D initiatives that achieve both technical and commercial objectives, including simulation analysis for manufacturing and structural performance.
- Business Development Support: Identify new application opportunities for arenaflex products and collaborate with Account Managers to capture new business, assess market trends, develop business cases, and evaluate competitor materials.
- Process Innovation: Identify and foster new processes for material deposition, forming, and curing to accelerate technology adoption on aerospace platforms.
- Customer Engagement: Accompany customers on arenaflex site audits and visits, leading engagements as required, and support coordination of conformance and specification issues between our plants and customer procurement and specification custodians.
- Targeted Project Leadership: Support or lead projects in arenaflex or customer shops focused on product configuration, capability enhancement, cost reduction, problem solving, and Lean manufacturing initiatives.
- Subject Matter Expertise: Grow into a recognized Subject Matter Expert (SME) in one or more aspects of composite parts, materials, and manufacturing processes.
What You Will Bring
Essential Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant Engineering or Material Science discipline (required).
- Industry Experience: Minimum of 5 years of demonstrated work experience in composites, including problem solving, technical presentations, project management, relationship building, and identification of new opportunities.
- Design Review Experience: Minimum of 2 years reviewing composite part designs and drawings for manufacturability and specification compliance.
- Aerospace Knowledge: Solid understanding of the aerospace industry, including OEMs, their supplier networks, major programs, aerospace quality systems, composite testing requirements, statistical process control, and capability standards.
- Fabrication Expertise: Knowledge of aerospace composite part fabrication processes, including autoclave, out-of-autoclave (OOA), press-molding, and resin infusion techniques.
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced Degree: Master's or PhD in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
- Process Capability: Experience resolving product and process capability issues in composite part applications.
- Simulation Skills: Familiarity with simulation tools for composite part manufacturing and structural performance analysis.
- Business Acumen: Experience supporting business cases, market assessments, and competitor evaluations.
Skills and Competencies for Success
- Technical Communication: Ability to articulate complex material and process concepts to diverse audiences—from shop floor mechanics to senior executives in procurement, engineering, R&D, quality, and manufacturing.
- Relationship Building: Proven ability to cultivate trust-based partnerships with customers and internal stakeholders across functions and geographies.
- Problem-Solving Mindset: Analytical, structured, and creative when diagnosing root causes and proposing solutions.
- Project Leadership: Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to lead cross-functional initiatives.
- Adaptability: Comfortable operating in a dynamic environment with shifting priorities, multiple customer touchpoints, and evolving program demands.
- Discretion & Integrity: Capability to handle highly sensitive customer proprietary information and confidential documents with the utmost professionalism.
Career Growth and Learning Opportunities at arenaflex
At arenaflex, your growth is our growth. We are deeply committed to investing in our people through continuous learning and development. As a Senior Customer Engineer, you will have access to:
- A robust training platform available to all employees, supporting both technical and professional development.
- Free language courses in 24 languages, empowering you to collaborate across our global network.
- Free well-being sessions covering both physical and psychological health, because we believe peak performance starts with personal well-being.
- Mentorship from world-class experts in materials science, aerospace engineering, and composite manufacturing.
- Clear pathways into senior technical leadership, business development, or strategic account management roles.
- The opportunity to publish, patent, and present at leading industry conferences and technical forums.
Work Environment and Culture
arenaflex offers a hybrid work model based out of our Anaheim, California facility, giving you the flexibility to balance focused remote work with collaborative on-site engagement. Our culture is built on safety, respect, curiosity, and the conviction that diverse perspectives drive better outcomes. We promote unity without uniformity—encouraging every associate to bring their authentic self to work and to challenge the status quo in service of innovation.
You will be part of a global, multidisciplinary team that spans continents, disciplines, and decades of combined expertise. Whether you are troubleshooting a part build on a customer shop floor or co-developing the next breakthrough material in our labs, you will find an environment that is intellectually rigorous, deeply collaborative, and genuinely supportive.
Compensation, Perks, and Benefits
- Competitive Base Salary: The U.S. base salary range for this position is reasonably expected to be between $90,880 and $113,600 per year, depending on experience, skills, and location. Actual compensation may vary based on a variety of factors unique to each candidate, and total compensation may also include bonus and other incentive programs.
- Generous Parental Leave: 16 or more weeks of maternity, paternity, and co-parenting leave, according to local regulations.
- Comprehensive Well-Being Support: Free physical and psychological well-being sessions for all employees.
- Continuous Learning: Access to our full training platform and 24 free language courses.
- Travel Opportunities: Up to 25% travel, primarily within the assigned region, with occasional support for customers outside the region as appropriate.
- Inclusive Workplace: A truly global team committed to equality, accessibility, and accommodations for all candidates and associates.
Equal Opportunity and Accessibility
arenaflex is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the entire employment process. If you need an accommodation for any part of the application or employment journey, please reach out to our HR team—we are here to support you.
Apply Today and Shape the Future of Flight
If you are a seasoned composites professional ready to take the next leap in your career, we want to hear from you. At arenaflex, you will do more than work with advanced materials—you will help define the future of aerospace, contribute to a more sustainable world, and grow alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry. We encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every single qualification listed; what matters most is your passion, your curiosity, and your drive to make a difference.