Materials and Processes Lead

The Materials & Processes team, within Production Engineering, is seeking a Materials & Processes Lead to establish and drive the M&P discipline across the Product Life Cycle (PLC), ensuring that material selections, process specifications, and manufacturing methods are standardized, repeatable, and certifiable as BETA transitions from prototype development to conforming aircraft production at rate. This role is the lead of the team providing technical authority for materials and process engineering decisions spanning composite structures, metallic assemblies, adhesive bonding, coatings, sealants, and emerging material technologies, with a team of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and lab technicians, deployable across the full product lifecycle.

The M&P Lead is embedded within Production Engineering and is accountable for integrating material and process engineering into the development, qualification, production ramp-up, and in-service support of conforming products. The role partners closely with Core Engineering (Design), Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Advanced Technology Development and Service Engineering to ensure production-ready material and process solutions are defined, qualified, and sustained.

Success in this role means materials and processes are qualified and controlled, standards are practical and enforced, the M&P digital thread is traceable, and feedback from production is incorporated into the next iteration of the specification. The role will build a scalable M&P framework that supports safe, compliant, repeatable production of type-certificated aircraft.

How you will contribute to revolutionizing electric aviation:

• Lead and grow the M&P team, ensuring full technical coverage of subject matter experts, labs and technicians across all areas of Beta, deployable into programs and projects across the full lifecycle, from early development of new technology through production troubleshooting, the fleet in-service, and fleet sustainment
• Accountable for all material and process qualifications and readiness for production ramp-up, establishing statistical process controls and validated parameters to support the transition from low-rate initial production (LRIP) to full-rate production (FRP)
• Responsible for M&P conformity and non-conformance resolution, supporting Material Review Board (MRB) dispositions, performing root cause analysis, and driving corrective actions through to closure
• Evaluate and qualify alternative materials and suppliers to improve producibility, reduce cost, and strengthen supply chain resilience, including incoming material qualification and acceptance testing programs
• Champion a culture in which material and process standards are living operational tools, not static documents, and where continuous improvement strengthens both compliance and production performance

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline; equivalent relevant experience will be considered
• 8+ years of experience in materials and process engineering within aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing, including direct support of production operations
• Deep technical knowledge in at least two of the following: advanced composite manufacturing, metallic fabrication and joining, adhesive bonding, surface treatment and coatings, or polymer/elastomer systems
• Experience developing, qualifying, and maintaining manufacturing process specifications to aerospace standards (NADCAP, AS9100, OEM specifications)
• Proven ability to lead technical teams and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, hands-on production environment
• Strong working knowledge of relevant industry standards (SAE AMS/ARP, ASTM, MIL-SPEC/MIL-STD) and regulatory frameworks (14 CFR Part 21/23)
• Ability to communicate complex material and process requirements clearly to audiences ranging from technicians and assemblers to design engineers, production leaders, and certification authorities
• Comfort working with PLM, MES, ERP, and engineering data systems used to manage material and process configuration, traceability, and performance
• Ability and willingness to spend regular time on the production floor observing processes, supporting implementation, and incorporating operator and technician feedback

Above and Beyond Qualifications:

• Experience with eVTOL, rotorcraft, or Part 23/25 aircraft production environments
• Familiarity with battery materials, thermal management materials, or energy storage system manufacturing processes
• Familiarity with Lean manufacturing, standard work, statistical process control, or continuous improvement methodologies
• Experience with root cause analysis methodologies (8D, Fishbone, 5-Why) for material and process failures and non-conformances

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

This role is based in a dynamic aerospace production environment and includes both office-based engineering work and regular time on the production floor. The M&P Lead will collaborate closely with engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and production teams to develop, qualify, deploy, and improve material and process standards.

The role requires comfort working around active manufacturing operations, moving between work areas, observing hands-on processes, and engaging directly with technicians, assemblers, and engineers. Success requires technical depth, practical judgment, strong communication, attention to detail, and the ability to turn complex material and process requirements into qualified, production-ready standards that enable safe, compliant, and repeatable production.

Compensation 150000 - 175000 USD