ACME - Senior Scientist - Composites Manufacturing

Location: ACME, UM6P campus, Nouaceur

Report to: Technical Manager / General Manager

Entity: Africa Center of Manufacturing Excellence (ACME) is a Technology development platform focused on Advanced Manufacturing, Industry 4.0, automation and tooling.

Mission: We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Scientist specializing in Composites Manufacturing to lead and contribute to R&D efforts focused on advanced composite materials, automated fabrication technologies, and next-generation manufacturing processes. The successful candidate will drive innovation in thermoset and thermoplastic composites, with an emphasis on process development, automation, characterization, and scale-up for aerospace, automotive, or industrial applications.

Key Responsibilities

* Lead and execute R&D programs in composites manufacturing, including resin infusion, automated fiber placement (AFP), additive manufacturing, autoclave and out-of-autoclave curing, and compression molding.
* Develop, evaluate, and optimize processing techniques for advanced composites (e.g., carbon fiber reinforced polymers, thermoplastics, nanocomposites).
* Collaborate with cross-functional teams in materials, design, and mechanical testing to develop high-performance, cost-effective composite structures.
* Support technology transfer and scale-up from lab to pilot and production environments.
* Assisting in scaling-up new products and overseeing initial production launches across multiple co-manufacturing facilities and diverse product categories.
* Prepare technical reports, proposals, and publications for internal stakeholders and external clients or funding agencies.
* Integrating manufacturing and processing considerations into product development efforts, ensuring efficiency and feasibility throughout the project lifecycle.
* Collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams, including colleagues in various roles and external partners, to drive successful project outcomes.
* Assisting in evaluating new equipment and technologies for potential implementation in production processes.

Qualifications And Experience

* PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Advanced Manufacturing, or related field.
* Minimum 7 years of professional experience in the development of composite structures and advanced manufacturing processes.
* Hands-on experience with manufacturing techniques such as AFP, ATL, AM, RTM, filament winding, or press molding.
* Experience with smart manufacturing, data analytics, or model-based process control.
* Background in aerospace or defense-grade composite certification standards.
* Proficiency in simulation software (e.g., ANSYS, Moldex3D, Digimat, ABAQUS) or process modeling tools.
* Strong knowledge of structure–property–process relationships in fiber-reinforced composites.
* Familiar with non-destructive testing (NDT), quality control, and digital manufacturing tools.
* Track record of publications on recognized international peer reviewed journals as well as noticeable experience in business planning, Techno-economic evaluations.
* Strong communication and documentation skills in English. Fluency in French would be a plus.