Advanced Materials & Process Engineer - Composites
General Dynamics Mission Systems · Marion, VA
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Process
- Travel
- 10%
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 5+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level process role at General Dynamics Mission Systems (aerospace & defense) in Marion, VA.
- They ask for
- 5+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Root cause, Painting / coating
- Day to day
- about 10% travel
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Process Engineer roles in Virginia: typical posted base $90k–$110k.
Median of the low and high ends of 5 live postings that list pay, out of 23 process engineer openings in Virginia, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Virginia plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 22 other live process postings in Virginia.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Typical (5+ years)
Typical $90k–$110k, from 5 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Root cause 43%
- Lean 35%
- Six Sigma 30%
- Team leadership 22%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Painting / coating, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with 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 Process team at General Dynamics Mission Systems
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find 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.
- 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?
- The posting says about 10% travel. Between which sites?
- 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: General Dynamics Mission Systems in Marion
9 other open roles at this site.
- Manufacturing Maintenance Technician · Reliability · Technician
- Senior Principal Industrial Engineer · Industrial · Senior
- Senior Manufacturing Engineering Technician · Manufacturing · Senior
- Senior Manufacturing Engineer · Manufacturing · Senior
- Advanced Engineering Technician · Manufacturing
- Advanced Manufacturing Engineer · Manufacturing
Full description from General Dynamics Mission SystemsAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Qualifications
Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, or a related Science, Engineering, Technology or Mathematics field. Also requires 5+ years of job-related experience, or a Master's degree plus 3 years of job-related experience.
Requirements
Department of Defense Secret security clearance obtainable within reasonable time based on requirements. Applicants selected will be subject to a U.S. Government security investigation and must meet eligibility
requirements
for access to classified information. Due to the nature of work performed within our facilities, U.S. citizenship is required.
Responsibilities
for this Position
General Dynamics Mission Systems has an immediate opening for an Advanced Materials & Process Engineer - Composites . This position provides an opportunity to further advance the cutting-edge technology that supports some of our nation’s core defense/intelligence services and systems. General Dynamics Mission Systems employees work closely with esteemed customers to develop solutions that allow them to carry out high-stakes national security missions.
Representative duties and tasks
- ◆Lead the development of strategic tasks or small projects by applying engineering and organizational knowledge and expertise to achieve technical goals
- ◆Support Production Program root cause investigations relating to materials and processes, and recommend solutions
- ◆Support Development Program qualification testing, including writing test plans, supporting on site testing, and writing test reports
- ◆Support Internal Research and Development projects
- ◆Understand and interpret the technical, organizational and process aspects of the tasks assigned and relate them to the technical needs of the overall project or organization
- ◆Plan and execute small projects or task elements within larger projects, organizations, or for groups of projects
- ◆Responsible for the completion of assigned engineering tasks or small projects within budgetary and scheduling guidelines
- ◆Actively identify technical and organizational risks and ensure that they are included in risk mitigation plans
- ◆Participate in the proposal process including preparation of cost estimates and technical writing
- ◆Participate in feasibility studies and testing of new and modified designs
- ◆Travel will be required (infrequent to up to 10%)
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Basic
Knowledge skills and abilities
- •Experience with polymer matrix composite manufacturing processes including hand lay-up/autoclave cure, adhesive bonding, and resin transfer molding (RTM)
- •Knowledge of the polymer chemistry of epoxy, bismaleimide (BMI), polyimide, and cyanate ester resins as they relate to the processing of pre-impregnated fabrics and unidirectional tapes commonly used in fiber-reinforced composite structure and adhesive systems
- •Experience with developing and writing process specifications and work instructions for composite fabrication operations
- •Experience with composites materials testing and qualification methods, both mechanical and thermal
- •Knowledge of chemical surface treatments and processes involved in both electroless plating and electroplating on non-metallic surfaces, photosensitive resist application, and metal etching in an industrial environment
- •Experience in implementing new processes, documentation, quality/process controls, and operator training
- •Ability to interpret engineering drawings and specifications; detail oriented
- •Analytic and problem solving skills
- •Experience with coatings a plus
- •Identifies opportunities to apply AI for continuous improvement and innovation
Our Commitment to You
- •An exciting career path with opportunities for continuous learning and development.
- •Research oriented work, alongside award winning teams developing practical solutions for our nation’s security
- •Flexible schedules with every other Friday off work, if desired (9/80 schedule)
- •Competitive benefits, including 401k matching, flex time off, paid parental leave, healthcare benefits, health & wellness programs, employee resource and social groups, and more
- •See more at gdmissionsystems.com/careers/why-work-for-us/benefits
Workplace Options
- •This position is 100% ON-SITE in Marion, VA.
MARION, VA area
- •Marion is nestled in the Virginia Highlands, abounding in beautiful countryside. State parks in all directions, it is an outdoor paradise for anyone who enjoys camping, hiking, fishing, kayaking, hunting, and/or just the simple pleasure of being outside amongst natural beauty. The Appalachian Trail runs through town and Mt. Rogers is an easy daytrip.
- •Big city attractions are at a comfortable distance. Blacksburg, VA, Charlotte, NC, Knoxville, TN, and Bristol Motor Speedway are all within a two-to-three-hour drive.
- •The small size of Marion yields shortened commute times. In-town commutes average around ten to fifteen minutes. Nearby towns, such as, Abingdon and Wytheville provide increased housing options while maintaining a benign commute of less than an hour.
#CJ2
Salary Note
USD $107,500.00 - USD $117,500.00 /Yr.
Company Overview
General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) engineers a diverse portfolio of high technology solutions, products and services that enable customers to successfully execute missions across all domains of operation. With a global team of 12,000+ top professionals, we partner with the best in industry to expand the bounds of innovation in the defense and scientific arenas. Given the nature of our work and who we are, we value trust, honesty, alignment and transparency. We offer highly competitive benefits and pride ourselves in being a great place to work with a shared sense of purpose. You will al