Composites Engineer

What We Do at Verterra Energy

At Verterra Energy, we're on a mission to harness the power in the world's rivers, canals and oceans. To accomplish this, we are commercializing our first device called VOLTURNUS, a pioneering water-power technology that deploys in harmony with the current to capture baseline, zero emission electricity.

Backed by top-tier investors and a multi-year government contract, we are growing our founding team to help achieve key milestones. Partners and collaborators include: NIRON, DoD, DoE, University of Minnesota, WEG Group, Beckhoff, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the US Army Corp of Engineers.

Recent press releases can be found on our website: 

https://www.verterraenergy.com/news

About Verterra

Verterra is an R-and-D-driven energy technology company building real hardware that has to survive real environments. We prototype fast, test often, and iterate until it works. This role supports composite parts that are core to the VOLTURNUS system and related test articles as we move from prototypes into repeatable builds.

Role overview

We are hiring a hands-on Composites Engineer to help us design, build, and improve composite parts - and to make our composite work more repeatable as we scale. This is not a purely design job. You will be in the shop, working closely with engineering and technicians, helping parts get built correctly the first time and improving the process when they do not.

If you have strong composite fabrication experience and can help translate that into simple, repeatable shop processes, you will do well here.

Core responsibilities

Composite part development

• Help design and improve composite parts and structures for Verterra products and test articles


• Support prototypes through low-rate production, with hands-on involvement as needed


• Work with mechanical and test engineers to make sure parts meet strength, fit, and function requirements

Composite build and process

• Develop and improve build processes: layup, cure, demold, trimming, bonding, and inspection


• Support infusion and pre-preg work depending on the part and build approach


• Help select materials, resins, reinforcements, cores, adhesives, and consumables based on performance and practicality


• Help evaluate and manage outside vendors when we outsource some fabrication

Tooling and shop readiness

• Support tooling and fixtures: build, maintain, and improve molds, trim fixtures, and layup aids


• Help ensure tooling is ready for repeatable builds and does not drift over time

Documentation and repeatability

• Create simple, clear work instructions that a technician can follow without guessing


• Build and maintain travelers, checklists, and basic build documentation so we can repeat quality builds


• Capture what worked, what did not, and what changed from one build to the next

Team support

• Help train and support technicians in composite best practices and clean shop habits


• Be a practical problem-solver during builds: identify issues early, propose fixes, and help the team execute

Minimum qualifications

• 5+ years hands-on composite experience in an engineering, R-and-D, or production environment


• Comfortable in a shop environment and willing to be hands-on during builds


• Solid understanding of composite materials and common processing methods


• Experience with at least one of the following: pre-preg, wet layup, resin infusion, or closed molding methods


• Ability to read engineering drawings and follow build documentation


• Practical mindset: can balance “ideal” engineering with what works reliably in the real world

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with open molding methods


• ACMA certification (or similar)


• Experience with marine, aerospace, wind energy, or other structural composites


• Startup or small-company experience - comfort wearing multiple hats and moving quickly


• Experience developing shop-ready documentation and training technicians

What success looks like in this role

• Prototype parts get built faster with fewer surprises


• Build processes get simpler, cleaner, and more repeatable over time


• Tooling improves so parts come out more consistent


• Documentation exists and actually gets used


• The team can scale composite builds without quality falling apart

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage


• Company-paid life, disability, and basic protections


• 401(k) with employer match


• Unlimited PTO + 2 weeks sick and safe leave


• 7 company-paid holidays: New Year’s Day (January 1), Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the Friday after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day


• Stocked kitchen

Equal opportunity

Verterra Energy does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits.