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 aircraft—aluminum, 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 efficiently—where 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 India's urban air mobility revolution. Incubated at IIT Madras, we are a deep-tech startup dedicated to designing and building the world's 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. We're a passionate team of engineers, designers, and visionaries working on cutting-edge technology, and we're 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
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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.
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Evaluate trade-offs between weight, strength, durability, cost, manufacturability, availability and certification constraints.
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Develop and maintain material specifications, standards, and allowables.
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Expertise in aluminum alloys, titanium alloys, steels, magnesium, and specialty alloys.
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Analyze fatigue, fracture, corrosion, and damage tolerance behavior of metallic structures.
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Lead work on composites (CFRP/GFRP), resins, adhesives, sealants, elastomers, foams, and thermoplastics.
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Support laminate design, bonding processes, curing cycles, and repair methodologies.
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Define and oversee material qualification and characterization test programs (static, fatigue, environmental, aging).
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Review and approve test plans, procedures, and reports.
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Interface with test labs and suppliers for material validation.
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Support production readiness, material process control, and quality assurance.
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Conduct supplier audits, material reviews, and root-cause investigations for material-related issues.
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Support airworthiness and certification activities in line with FAA / EASA / DGCA regulations.
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Prepare certification artifacts, compliance reports, and substantiation documents.
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Act as a technical interface with certification authorities on materials-related topics.
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Work closely with structures, stress, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and safety teams.
Required Qualifications
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Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
Experience & Skills
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8+ years of relevant experience in aerospace, aviation, or high-reliability engineering sectors.
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Strong knowledge of aerospace material standards (AMS, ASTM, MIL, ISO).
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Hands-on experience with material testing, qualification, and certification support.
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Familiarity with composite manufacturing processes (prepreg, RTM, infusion, autoclave).
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Experience with environmental durability, corrosion control, and material aging.
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Ability to interpret drawings, specifications, and engineering data.
Tools & Standards
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Experience with material databases, allowables development, and technical documentation.
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Knowledge of AS9100, NADCAP, and aerospace quality systems.
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Experience in CAD/FEA commercial softwares .
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Strong technical writing and presentation skills.
Desired / Preferred Qualifications
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Master’s degree in relevant engineering discipline.
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Experience in aerospace or hyper-automotive OEMs
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Exposure to lightweight materials and advanced composites.
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Prior involvement in first-of-type aircraft development or certification programs.
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Familiarity with MBSE or digital thread concepts in materials engineering.
Key Competencies
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Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset
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High ownership and accountability
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Ability to work in fast-paced, multidisciplinary environments
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Clear technical communication with internal and external stakeholder
Location: Chennai (Thaiyur)
