Company Overview 

We imagine a future where our freedom is secured by rapid manufacturing of the highest performing materials on Earth. We’re building the digital factories of the future to rapidly produce complex components in days to accelerate American innovation on Earth and beyond. Our core focus is in design and manufacture of ceramic thermal management components that are critical to missions such as re-entry from space, interplanetary travel, hypersonic weapons, and more. 

Position Overview 

As a Ceramics process R&D engineer at Canopy, you will have the opportunity to create new materials and processes for a variety of applications ranging from spacecraft re-entry, interplanetary travel, hypersonic platforms, and more. On a given day you could be completing trade studies on new materials for our portfolio, using software to create designs of experiments for new material formulations, optimizing manufacturing processes using analytical and empirical tools, and completing failure analysis and characterization to quickly iterate and improve on existing material systems and products. While many companies today take years to develop and qualify new material systems, we are attempting to do it in months. 3D printing experience is not required – we are focused on finding smart, autonomous, highly-motivated individuals who are passionate about solving new problems. To be successful in this role, you should be self-motivated, thrive in ambiguity, and be able to lead your own projects to completion. We strive to create a culture that incentivizes high performers and disruptors rather than maintaining the status quo. 

Responsibilities  

• Own process development for new ceramic materials from concept to application across R&D programs and commercial sales. 
• Create product development milestones/timelines/schedules, trade studies, and update presentations for program management. 
• Develop and utilize existing methods to measure and document physical, mechanical, thermal, and functional properties for materials. 
• Design, build, and implement custom test assemblies to complete performance testing on ceramics materials. 
• Own and perform root cause analyses using tools like fractography, destructive/nondestructive testing. 
• Proactively seek information from other engineers, subject matter experts, and available literature to autonomously make decisions and solve problems. 
• Optimize materials and processes to reduce defects, expand design, and outperform existing materials on the market. 
• Operate ceramics processing and post-processing equipment (e.g., casting, 3d printers, furnaces) using written documentation. 

Requirements – should meet most of these 

• Bachelor’s degree in materials science or engineering. 
• 2+ years of professional, research, and/or internship experience working on advanced ceramics. 
• Fundamental understanding of ceramic materials including feedstock mixing, forming, and solidification mechanics with hands-on experience. 

Nice to have’s

• Proven experience thriving in a dynamic environment with a high degree of autonomy. 
• Graduate-level degree in materials science or engineering, focus on ceramics. 
• Proven experience finding scrappy ways to deliver on milestones or programs ahead of schedule. 
• Working knowledge of CAD software and demonstrated experience using it to produce physical objects or assemblies. 
• Experience building, integrating, and using data acquisition systems to collect data from COTS sensors. 
• Software experience in at least one high level programming language (Python preferred), with the ability to interface with test equipment and perform data analysis. 
• Hands-on experience in a manufacturing and/or laboratory environment. 
• Prior experience building, operating, or modifying ceramics processing equipment such as 3D printers, furnaces, or casting equipment. 
• Published external literature in academic journals. 

Additional requirements 

• Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary 

Compensation and Benefits 

• Pay range: $80,000 - $160,000 base + performance incentives 
• Company stock options 
• Unlimited PTO 
• Paid holidays 
• FSA with company contribution 
• Retirement Savings Plan – 5% matching 401(k) 
• 100% Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage for employee and family 
• Professional Stipend 
• Health and Wellness Stipend 

Actual level and base salary determined on a case-by-case basis and could vary depending on education, job-related knowledge and skills, fit with the company, and experience.

Hiring Process 

We strive to be transparent and equitable throughout our hiring process; we also will move quickly through the steps. Below is a description of our hiring process: 

1. Candidate submission of resume and portfolio materials 
2. 20-minute administrative screening call 
3. 30-minute technical screen with a Canopy engineer and/or the hiring manager 
4. On-site, case-study interview 
5. 1:1s with key team members 
6. Final offer decision 

Canopy Core Values 

1. Own Everything 
2. Cultivate Integrity 
3. Inquire Rigorously 
4. Practice Optimism 
5. Operate Decisively 

Other Requirements 

This position may require travel, <20% of the time. 

This position requires the ability to obtain a government security clearance in the future; you must be a US Citizen for consideration. There is no requirement to be holding an active security clearance prior to employment. 

Canopy Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Canopy Aerospace is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status. 

Other Notes 

If you feel you’re qualified for the role, but don’t exactly meet the criteria - please apply! We value diversity and prioritize passion over perfectly polished skillsets.