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Hire Paul M.

United States

USD 150 /hr

Expert in transitioning advanced composites from R&D to full‑scale production for aerospace and defense.

Profile Summary

I am a Principal R&D Engineer with over 27 years of experience advancing composite materials and manufacturing systems across aerospace, defense, and energy sectors. My career spans the full lifecycle of innovation, from fundamental research and proposal development to full‑scale production and technology transition. I specialize in translating complex requirements into engineered solutions, guiding programs through TRL progression, and delivering systems that meet stringent performance and compliance objectives. At Helicoid Industries, I serve as Principal R&D Engineer and principal investigator for advanced composite programs, including Navy launch tube designs achieving a 66% weight reduction while maintaining shock and impact performance. I have authored and secured SBIR proposals, established laminate design and simulation workflows, and collaborated with suppliers, OEMs, universities, and test labs to validate manufacturability and system‑level performance. Previously, at Safran Aerospace Composites, I directed engineering teams and served as a Safran Principal Expert in composites manufacturing and adhesive bonding, introducing automation and advanced manufacturing approaches that improved efficiency and robustness. I achieved 98% on‑time milestone delivery across R&D and production programs, while training engineers internationally and overseeing specifications, tooling, and acceptance testing for complex composite systems. Earlier in my career, I managed composite manufacturing projects at CFAN, Texas Composite, and Bell Helicopter, contributing to programs such as LEAP fan blades and JSF wing skins. My expertise includes project and program management, risk mitigation, team leadership, and lifecycle oversight, supported by strong communication skills and a proven ability to align technical innovation with strategic objectives. I am recognized as an expert in transitioning advanced composites from R&D to full‑scale production for aerospace and defense, ensuring that technologies mature into practical, scalable solutions ready for deployment.

Subject Matter Expertise

• ☆ Materials Science & Engineering
• ☆ Surface Chemistry
• ☆ Composite Materials
• ☆ Industrial Engineering
• ☆ Manufacturing
• ☆ Manufacturing Optimization
• ☆ Automation
• ☆ Manufacturing Automation
• ☆ Project Management

Services

• Writing
• Research
• Consulting
• Product Development

Writing Technical Writing

Research Market Research, Scientific and Technical Research

Consulting Operations Consulting, Scientific and Technical Consulting, Manufacturing Consulting

Product Development Stability/Shelf Life Testing, Material Sourcing, Product Validation, Manufacturing, Concept Development, Product Launch Support, Prototyping

Work Experience

Principal R&D Engineer

Helicoid Industries, Inc.

February 2023 - Present

R&T Manager

Safran Aerospace Composites

August 2022 - November 2023

Engineering Manager

Safran Aerospace Composites

June 2012 - August 2022

Materials and Processes Engineer

Bell Helicopter Textron Inc

October 1998 - January 2021

Project Manager

CFAN

October 2005 - June 2012

Materials & Processes Engineer

Texas Composite, Inc.

April 2002 - October 2005

Education

Materials Science and Engineering

Virginia Tech

August 1996 - December 1997

Materials Science and Engineering

Virginia Tech

August 1992 - May 1996

Certifications

• Advanced Project Management

  Stanford University

  January 2011 - Present