
R&D Manufacturing Engineering Lead, Composites Manufacturing
BETA Technologies · South Burlington, VT
- Level
- Manager
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 8+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A management manufacturing role at BETA Technologies (aerospace & defense) in South Burlington, VT. Evaluate, select, and implement new composite manufacturing technologies (AFP, RTM, ATL, in-situ consolidation, etc.) to expand capability and reduce cost.
- They ask for
- 8+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Root cause, SPC, Control plans, MSA / Gage R&R
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
How this role compares
Against 9 other live manufacturing postings in Vermont.
- Experience asked
- More than usual (8+ vs 5+)
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Lean 80%
- ✓ Root cause 80%
- Automation 70%
- ✓ GD&T 60%
- Tooling 60%
- ✓ CATIA / NX 60%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at BETA Technologies
We found 2 people at this company and state: 2 on the team. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to Patrick → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: BETA Technologies in South Burlington
22 other open roles at this site · 2 people we found on the manufacturing team.
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- Supplier Development Engineer, Composites · Quality
Full description from BETA TechnologiesAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Science, or related field
- ✓8+ years in manufacturing engineering, leading teams through NPI and composite R&D process development
- ✓Proficiency in 2+ composite manufacturing methods (resin infusion, autoclave, AFP, hand layup, filament winding, etc.)
- ✓Strong background in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and process optimization with proven results
- ✓Proven NPI experience scaling production from prototype through high-rate manufacturing
- ✓Deep expertise in DFM, DFA, Design to Cost, and GD&T principles
- ✓Proficiency in DOE, SPC, MSA, RCA, and tolerance stack-ups
- ✓Demonstrated ability to manage, mentor, and develop cross-functional engineering teams
- ✓Experience with CAD (CATIA, SolidWorks), statistical analysis (Minitab), and ERP/MES systems
- ✓Familiarity with FAA Part 21 production
requirements
and aerospace quality systems
Above and Beyond
Qualifications
- ✓Prior experience in composite structures for aerospace, eVTOL, or electric aircraft environments
- ✓Advanced degree (Master's) in Materials Science, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field
- ✓Experience with aerospace manufacturing standards (AS9100, NADCAP certification)
- ✓Track record of step-change improvements in manufacturing efficiency, quality, or cost
- ✓Experience with manufacturing facility planning, greenfield/brownfield expansion, and equipment commissioning
- ✓Experience developing and publishing DFM handbooks or design guides for engineering organizations
The wage listed here reflects our best faith estimate for this role. We pay competitively and base compensation on a variety of factors including skills, experience, industry background, and the evolving needs of the role. We remain committed to fair and equitable pay and we're happy to discuss during the interview process.
$125,000 — $160,000 USD
Build electric airplanes with us!
We encourage all driven candidates to apply, even if they do not meet every listed qualification.
qualifications
and will not be influenced in any manner on race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law. BETA complies with all applicable federal, state and local non-discrimination laws and does not tolerate discrimination of any kind in our workplace.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
At BETA Technologies, we apply our intellectual curiosity, passion for aviation, and commitment to sustainability toward a shared mission of revolutionizing electric aviation. Regardless of the position one holds, each team member brings their talent and desire to positively impact the environment and lives of others in a refreshing, vibrant, and inclusive culture.
BETA Technologies is seeking a Manufacturing Engineering Lead, Composites R&D, to drive the next generation of composite manufacturing capability at BETA. This high-impact role will identify, evaluate, and implement new manufacturing technologies that expand what our composites shop can produce — increasing capacity, enabling new product forms, and delivering step-change cost reductions. This leader will build and manage a team of manufacturing engineers while serving as the bridge between manufacturing and design, embedding early in the design process and developing authoritative design guides that shape future programs from day one. The ideal candidate balances hands-on technical depth in composite manufacturing with strategic vision and has the leadership skills to get us there.
How you will contribute to revolutionizing electric aviation
- •Evaluate, select, and implement new composite manufacturing technologies (AFP, RTM, ATL, in-situ consolidation, etc.) to expand capability and reduce cost
- •Lead planning for facility expansion, equipment layouts, and infrastructure readiness to support growing capacity demands
- •Develop and maintain design guides defining manufacturing methods, constraints, material options, and best practices
- •Partner with design and R&D teams from concept through production, conducting formal manufacturability reviews at key milestones
- •Advance composite manufacturing methods (layup, resin infusion, autoclave, filament winding) from R&D validation through production-ready scale-up
- •Apply Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles to streamline operations and reduce cycle time
- •Recruit, develop, and lead a team of manufacturing engineers
- •Use DOE, SPC, and RCA to validate new technologies and guide investment decisions
- •Troubleshoot composite manufacturing defects and implement corrective actions
- •Create work instructions, process control plans, and technical documentation to support scale-up
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