Lead R&D Engineer-Ballistic Composites
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 2, 2026. First seen by Alion on Sep 21, 2026. Solstice Advanced Materials scores B on the Alion truth index.
As a Lead R&D Engineer here at Solstice Advanced Materials, you will work with Marketing, Sales, and Technology organizations to lead the new product pipeline and drive adoption of Spectra Shield ballistic materials, with a focus on soft body armor, providing hands on oversight, development, and optimization of customer facing ballistic solutions.
You will work out of our Colonial Heights, VA facility and report to the General Manager on a hybrid schedule.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Optimize composite material processing guidelines for soft armor applications
- Hands-on system design, lay-up, and equipment operation required for part fabrication
- Coordinate prototype development which includes but is not limited to: sample and test matrix definition, work order drafting, laboratory scheduling, prioritization, execution, testing and communication of results
- Collaborate with armor manufacturers, military R&D organizations, and Program Offices to establish comprehensive understanding of current and future body armor program specifications
- Define the fundamental composite material property linkages to end article performance and provide the functional product attribute characterization protocols and targets necessary to achieve ballistic and non-ballistic system level requirements
- Identify and assess emerging materials, manufacturing processes, and characterization techniques for technology roadmap considerations
- Represent Solstice Technology organization in customer meetings, global trade shows, and technical conferences
- Provide technical oversight and support for customer quality resolution, manufacturing initiatives, and new product development
- Draft scientific publications, white papers, solicitation responses, invention disclosures, and intellectual property materials as needed
YOU MUST HAVE
- Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Polymers/Composite Materials, Materials Science or other related scientific or technical discipline
- 10+ years of experience with soft body armor materials, processing, ballistic and non-ballistic testing
WE VALUE
- Master's Degree in Engineering
- Knowledge and experience with ballistic composite materials, process manufacturing, ballistic threat standards (NIJ / Military), and testing of soft and hard armor applications
- Experience in data management including collection, interpretation, graphical and statistical analysis to interpret experimental results and develop presentations to communicate these findings
- Experience with MS Office Applications including Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Minitab statistical analysis software
- Ability to manage multiple programs of varying degrees of complexity
- Knowledge of hard armor materials, processing, and testing
US PERSON REQUIREMENT
Due to compliance with U.S. export control laws and regulations, candidate must be a U.S. person, which is defined as, a U.S. citizen, a U.S. permanent resident, or have protected status in the U.S. under asylum or refugee status.
COMPENSATION
The annual base salary range for this position is $142,119-$177,904. Please note that this salary information serves as a general guideline. Solstice Advanced Materials considers various factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to the scope and responsibilities or the position, the candidate's work experience, education and training, key skills, as well as market and business considerations.
This position is incentive eligible.
BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR SOLSTICE ADVANCED MATERIALS
In addition to a competitive salary, leading-edge work, and developing solutions side-by-side with dedicated experts in their fields, Solstice Advanced Materials employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package. This package includes employer-subsidized Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance; Short-Term and Long-Term Disability; 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, EAP, and Educational Assistance; Parental Leave, Paid Time Off (for vacation, personal business, sick time, and parental leave), and 12 Paid Holidays.
Solstice Advanced Materials is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, religion, or veteran status.