Senior Materials Imagineer (Non Metallic)

Role Overview Materials do matter In aviation, metals and non-metals come together as a carefully orchestrated partnership, each material chosen not merely for what it is, but for how faithfully it performs in the unforgiving realm of flight

Metals form the structural conscience of the aircraftaluminum, titanium, and advanced alloys carrying loads, resisting fatigue, and preserving integrity across millions of pressurization cycles

Non-metals, in contrast, deliver quiet sophistication: composites sculpt strength with lightness, polymers and elastomers tame vibration and noise, and coatings, sealants, and adhesives shield the airframe from fire, corrosion, and the extremes of altitude and temperature

Together, they transform engineering intent into airworthiness, enabling aircraft to fly farther, lighter, safer, and more efficientlywhere every gram is justified, every interface is certified, and every material tells a story of trust written in hours of flight

About The ePlane Company The ePlane Company is at the forefront of Indias urban air mobility revolution

Incubated at IIT Madras, we are a deep-tech startup dedicated to designing and building the worlds most compact electric flying taxi

Our mission is to make door-to-door flying a reality, drastically reducing commute times and decongesting our cities for a cleaner, greener future

Were a passionate team of engineers, designers, and visionaries working on cutting-edge technology, and were looking for brilliant minds to help us take flight

Job Description The ePlane company is seeking an experienced Metallic Non-Metallic Materials Specialist to lead materials selection, qualification, and certification support for advanced aerospace structures and systems

The role demands deep expertise in metals, composites, polymers, elastomers, and coatings, with hands-on involvement across design, manufacturing, testing, and certification phases of aircraft development

Additionally, compliance substantiation for aircraft structures and systems in accordance with FAA (14 CFR), EASA (CS), and DGCA (CAR) airworthiness requirements is desirable

The role supports Type Certification (TC), Supplemental Type Certification (STC), and Production Approval activities, ensuring materials meet applicable airworthiness, durability, environmental, and safety requirements

Key Responsibilities Lead materials selection and substantiation for metallic and non-metallic/composite components used in primary and secondary aircraft structures, propulsion systems, interiors, and systems installations

Evaluate trade-offs between weight, strength, durability, cost, manufacturability, availability and certification constraints

Develop and maintain material specifications, standards, and allowables

Expertise in aluminum alloys, titanium alloys, steels, magnesium, and specialty alloys

Analyze fatigue, fracture, corrosion, and damage tolerance behavior of metallic structures

Lead work on composites (CFRP/GFRP), resins, adhesives, sealants, elastomers, foams, and thermoplastics

Support laminate design, bonding processes, curing cycles, and repair methodologies

Define and oversee material qualification and characterization test programs (static, fatigue, environmental, aging)

Review and approve test plans, procedures, and reports

Interface with test labs and suppliers for material validation

Support production readiness, material process control, and quality assurance

Conduct supplier audits, material reviews, and root-cause investigations for material-related issues

Support airworthiness and certification activities in line with FAA / EASA / DGCA regulations

Prepare certification artifacts, compliance reports, and substantiation documents

Act as a technical interface with certification authorities on materials-related topics

Work closely with structures, stress, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and safety teams

Required Qualifications Bachelor degree in Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field

Experience Skills 8+ years of relevant experience in aerospace, aviation, or high-reliability engineering sectors

Strong knowledge of aerospace material standards (AMS, ASTM, MIL, ISO)

Hands-on experience with material testing, qualification, and certification support

Familiarity with composite manufacturing processes (prepreg, RTM, infusion, autoclave)

Experience with environmental durability, corrosion control, and material aging

Ability to interpret drawings, specifications, and engineering data

Tools Standards Experience with material databases, allowables development, and technical documentation

Knowledge of AS9100, NADCAP, and aerospace quality systems

Experience in CAD/FEA commercial softwares

Strong technical writing and presentation skills

Desired / Preferred Qualifications Master degree in relevant engineering discipline

Experience in aerospace or hyper-automotive OEMs Exposure to lightweight materials and advanced composites

Prior involvement in first-of-type aircraft development or certification programs

Familiarity with MBSE or digital thread concepts in materials engineering

Key Competencies Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset High ownership and accountability Ability to work in fast-paced, multidisciplinary environments Clear technical communication with internal and external stakeholder Location: Chennai (Thaiyur)","