Vespel(R) Application Development Engineer - Defense & Aerospace

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DuPont Vespel Precision Parts and Shapes deliver exceptional performance in environments where traditional plastics, composites, and metals fall short. Recognized for decades of reliability in mission-critical aerospace and defense applications, Vespel components provide lightweight durability, low friction, chemical resistance, and high-temperature performance.

Manufactured from advanced polyimide resins and composites, Vespel parts, from seal rings to engine clamps, often replace metal and ceramic components to reduce weight, extend service life, and lower total cost of ownership. Vespel serves global aerospace, semiconductor, industrial, and transportation markets.

Job Description Summary

The Vespel business is seeking an experienced customer-oriented, Application Development Engineer to drive growth within strategic customer accounts. This role combines technical leadership, customer engagement, and application development to accelerate the adoption of advanced materials in critical aerospace applications.

Working closely with customers and cross-functional teams across engineering, operations, quality, R&D, and commercial, the successful candidate will lead the technical aspects of new application development, qualification, and market growth initiatives.

This position is remote and offers location flexibility but requires regular travel and in-person collaboration with various teams.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide Technical Support (product and part design recommendations, material properties) to: assigned customers and/or distributors in the region and across the Aerospace & Defense market segment, Sales and Application Development groups for existing and new applications/customers, and Operations, Quality, and complaint handling process
• Serve as the technical lead for strategic Aerospace & Defense customer accounts, driving application development and business growth.
• Conduct training seminars for distributors and customers as well as technical presentations at conferences
• Lead/support technical programs at customers/distributors to achieve technical qualification for future commercialization
• Lead/coordinate product evaluations, data generation programs, laboratory designed functional testing
• Continuously develop expertise in end-use applications, to best support our customers
• Prepare/contribute to product literature, sales tools and case stories for new and existing products
• Write and publish technical papers/articles for selected conferences/tradeshows
• Provide input to business and marketing strategy for Aerospace & Defense segment
• Continuously apply innovative approach to customer solutions/processes/ways of doing things
• Compile, document, and communicate value-in-use information, competitive intelligence and related items to continuously improve our competitive advantage
• Provide Technical Support to global and regional programs within the COE (Centers of Excellence) concept
• Lead and/or contribute to R&D programs as needed to develop new products and/or applications to meet customer needs
• Actively participate in the New Part Commercialization process in translating customer requirements to the business for accurate part drawings, quotes and timely delivery of new part orders

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical field required; Master's degree preferred.
• 10+ years of aerospace engineering or related technical experience, with demonstrated expertise in Aerospace & Defense applications, strong industry relationships, and an established professional network.
• Proven experience in composite manufacturing, application development, and highly engineered materials, delivering solutions for demanding Aerospace & Defense applications.
• Strong ability to collaborate across cross-functional teams, including engineering, manufacturing, quality, R&D, supply chain, sales, and marketing.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex technical programs, manage multiple priorities, and deliver results on schedule.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts to customers, industry partners, and executive stakeholders.
• Proven customer-facing experience with the ability to build and maintain long-term strategic relationships.
• Strong project management skills, including planning, milestone tracking, and execution.
• Ability to translate customer and application requirements into material selection criteria, test methods, and technical development plans.
• Ability to travel up to 40%

Additional Information:

This position requires access to export-controlled technology, technical data or defense services, as such, employment will be contingent upon the candidate's ability to access export-controlled technology, technical data or defense services as authorized pursuant to US regulation or an export authorization obtained by DuPont approved by the controlling US government agency

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