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Executive consulting and general government contracting services.

Part-Time Principal Investigator — SBIR Phase I

Cost-Effective Composite Joints with Tailorable Performance and Geometry

DAF SBIR Topic No. DAF26BZ05-NV029

Position Type

Part-time; independent contractor/consultant role

Period of Performance

Approximately 9 months (SBIR Phase I)

Compensation

Monthly salary (commensurate with experience); project-related travel expenses included

Location

Remote with periodic travel to university research partner site(s) and government program reviews, access to lab preferred

Eligibility

Must be a U.S. citizen; must not be otherwise employed full-time

About the Opportunity

Aim Point Innovation is assembling a research team to pursue and execute a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I contract under Department of the Air Force (DAF) Topic DAF26BZ05-NV029, “Cost-Effective Composite Joints with Tailorable Performance and Geometry.” We are seeking a part-time Principal Investigator (PI) to provide technical leadership for this 9-month Phase I effort, working alongside a team of university researchers to advance carbon fiber pi-joint technologies for next-generation composite airframe structures.

Project Overview

Current composite structural joint solutions force a tradeoff between geometric flexibility and mechanical performance: back-to-back “L” joints allow customizable geometry but lower performance, while 3D woven pi-joints offer higher structural integrity but limited design flexibility. Both approaches face significant cost and scalability constraints. This effort will investigate and develop cost-effective composite joint technologies — novel carbon fiber preform architectures and manufacturing processes — capable of tailoring both geometry and performance across a wide range of aerospace applications, including Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACP) and other advanced air platforms and weapons systems.

The Phase I effort begins at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 2 and is intended to lay the foundation for scalable, lightweight, high-performance composite joint solutions that can transition toward TRL 6 in a subsequent Phase II.

Position Summary

The Principal Investigator will serve as the technical lead for the Phase I project, directing and coordinating the research activities of the university research team, serving as the primary technical point of contact with the DAF Technical Point of Contact (TPOC), and ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery of all Phase I deliverables.

Key Responsibilities

•      Provide overall technical leadership, direction, and oversight for the SBIR Phase I project.

•      Lead a comprehensive literature review and trade study benchmarking current composite joint solutions.

•      Direct the design and fabrication of initial carbon fiber pi-joint test articles demonstrating novel fiber architectures and/or manufacturing processes.

•      Guide development of a preliminary process flow for converting dry fiber preforms into finished thermoplastic or thermoset composite pi-joints.

•      Author and deliver a technical feasibility report covering proposed geometries, material configurations, and cost projections.

•      Coordinate and collaborate closely with the university research partner(s) executing the technical work.

•      Serve as the primary technical liaison with the DAF/AFRL Technical Point(s) of Contact and other government stakeholders.

•      Ensure compliance with all SBIR program requirements, reporting obligations, and delivery schedules.

•      Ensure full compliance with applicable ITAR (22 CFR Parts 120–130) and EAR (15 CFR Parts 730–774) export control requirements, including required disclosures regarding any foreign national involvement.

•      Support preparation of the Phase II proposal and technology transition planning.

Required Qualifications

•      U.S. citizenship is required. This topic is ITAR/EAR-restricted; the PI role cannot be filled by a foreign national.

•      Candidate must not be otherwise employed full-time elsewhere, consistent with SBIR Phase I Principal Investigator eligibility requirements.

•      Advanced degree (Ph.D. preferred; M.S. considered with equivalent experience) in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.

•      Demonstrated technical expertise in composite materials, carbon fiber preform architectures, structural joint design, and/or advanced aerospace manufacturing processes.

•      Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to produce technical reports and present to government stakeholders.

•      Ability to travel periodically for program reviews, testing activities, and meetings with the university research partner and government sponsors.

Preferred Qualifications

•      Prior experience serving as Principal Investigator (or Co-PI) on SBIR/STTR or other federally funded research contracts.

•      Prior experience collaborating with university research partners on sponsored research programs.

•      Familiarity with Department of Defense/Air Force acquisition processes and Technology Readiness Level (TRL) frameworks.

•      Working knowledge of 3D woven or braided composite preforms, resin infusion/impregnation processes, and structural mechanical testing.

Compensation & Terms

•      This is a part-time position for the approximately 9-month Phase I period of performance.

•      Compensation is a monthly salary, commensurate with experience; project-related travel expenses are included/reimbursed per the project budget.

•      This role is contingent upon award and execution of the SBIR Phase I contract.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a current CV/resume and a brief cover letter describing relevant experience with composite materials and joint design, prior SBIR/federal research experience (if any), and confirmation of U.S. citizenship and current employment status to [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Aim Point Innovation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.