R&D Engineer - Composite Winding Process (all genders)

About us

Blackwave designs, manufactures and ships flight-qualified, commercial off-the-shelf composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) for launch vehicles and satellites. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Munich, Germany, the company delivers COPVs from a standardized portfolio with flight heritage. The approach reduces lead time from months to days while ensuring that each tank is qualified and flight-ready. Blackwave's mission is to end COPV failure in spaceflight. The company employs more than 150 people across manufacturing facilities in Germany and Texas.

Your Responsibilities

THE WHAT You own the research and development of our composite winding process. You design experiments, execute them independently, analyze results, and translate findings into process improvements that directly influence tank performance. You don't inherit a finished method — you develop one. From experiment design to test execution, data analysis to knowledge transfer, you take responsibility for the work and its results.

THE WHY COPV failure in spaceflight is a solved problem — if the underlying process is right. The quality of our composite winding process determines the quality of every tank we build. We need an engineer who will own this research, drive it forward independently, and help us produce tanks that do not fail.

YOUR IMPACT

You don't just run experiments. You build the process knowledge that improves every tank we produce.

You ensure:

• experiments are designed thoroughly and executed according to plan
• findings are analyzed critically and translated into concrete process improvements
• knowledge is documented and shared so the team moves forward together

Your tasks in detail and by priority:

• Design and execute experiments to advance our winding process and improve tank performance. Learn from every project, continuously increase efficiency, and develop new ideas for improvement. High Performance: Deliver strong results under pressure. Each project makes the next one better.
• Take full responsibility for assigned projects, including scope, schedule, and deliverables. Drive projects forward independently, challenge your own conclusions, and continuously push for better results. Accountability: Own your work. Follow through. Deliver results independently.
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues across the company. Coordinate test activities, proactively communicate progress, and contribute to a team that operates as one. Togetherness: The team succeeds together. Support others as you expect to be supported.
• Defend your conclusions with confidence while remaining open to constructive criticism. Document and share knowledge proactively so learning becomes organizational rather than individual. Candor: Surface problems early. Speak up. Fix things faster.
• Approach technical challenges with genuine curiosity and the drive to understand how things work. Experiment with new approaches and stay energized by solving complex problems. Playfulness: Serious about the mission. Driven by curiosity.

Your Profile

Must-Haves

• Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field (BSc minimum; MSc or PhD preferred).
• At least two years of hands-on experience with composite materials and their processing.
• At least one thesis project or professional role focused on composites, including materials, processing, structural design, or testing.
• Experience with process optimization, analysis, and improvement in a manufacturing or development environment.
• Hands-on mindset and confidence working in laboratory, workshop, or test environments, combined with strong theoretical understanding.
• Strong ownership, willingness to document and share knowledge, ability to admit mistakes, and fluent English.

Nice to have

• Experience with filament winding, wet winding, towpreg, tape placement, laminate design, or related composite manufacturing technologies.
• Knowledge of metallic materials and manufacturing processes.

What we offer

• Choose your own benefit: Germany ticket, Egym Wellpass, or a tax-free Give Card
• Healthy & social lunch culture: Fresh meals during shared lunch breaks
• High level of autonomy & real impact: You own a critical seam in the business — between what we sell and what we build
• Startup mindset meets aerospace innovation: Flat hierarchies, fast decisions, and space for your ideas
• Stunning views: Rooftop terrace with views of the Alps in Taufkirchen, or indoor garden in Garching-Hochbrück
• Growth opportunities: Work on technically demanding projects with real stakes
• We live our team culture: From tech talks to team events and after-work gatherings — we celebrate success together

Your contact

More information at Blackwave.com and the procurement platform COPV.com

We would be happy to receive your application through our online application portal.

Blackwave GmbH 82024 Taufkirchen