Title:  Material Characterization and Materials Process Engineering

Job Title: Material Characterization and Materials Process Engineer

Job Code: 37518

Job Location: Huntsville, AL- AMF South

Job Schedule: 9/80: Employees work 9 out of every 14 days – totaling 80 hours worked – and have every other Friday off

Job Description:

The Advanced Manufacturing Facility (AMF-South) is seeking a Material Characterization Engineer working in the Material Laboratory to support material characterization activities for both in-process manufacturing and  development programs. This role is responsible for generating thermal, rheological, and chemical characterization data to support material selection, process optimization, failure analysis, and production support. The successful candidate will evaluate a range of material systems, including polymer matrix composites, elastomers, and adhesives, using laboratory techniques such as Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), rheometry, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR).

Essential Functions:

• Perform thermal, rheological, and chemical characterization testing in accordance with approved test plans, standard operating procedures, and safe laboratory practices.
• Generate, analyze, and interpret material characterization data to support engineering decisions related to material behavior, processability, cure state, thermal stability, and constituent identification.
• Provide technical input on characterization method selection, test execution, data quality, and interpretation of results.
• Collaborate with materials engineers, laboratory personnel, and cross-functional teams to support program deliverables, root cause investigations, and process development activities.
• Maintain operational readiness of laboratory instrumentation through routine checks, calibration coordination, troubleshooting, and service support with original equipment manufacturers as required.
• Document test results and communicate findings through technical reports, presentations, and direct engineering support.
• Support laboratory and departmental objectives outside primary assignments as needed to meet critical program and production schedules.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 4 years of prior Material Process Engineering experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 2 years of prior Material Process Engineering experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 8 years of Material Process Engineering experience.

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline is preferred.
• Experience with thermal analysis and rheological characterization techniques.
• Experience working with laboratory instrumentation and test data analysis.
• Understanding of material properties such as glass transition, cure behavior, coefficient of thermal expansion, decomposition behavior, viscoelastic response, and chemical composition
• Hands-on experience with TA Instruments TRIOS software.
• Experience characterizing composites, elastomers, and adhesives.
• Experience supporting manufacturing, development, or qualification programs in the aerospace and defense industry.
• Ability to interpret material characterization results in the context of processing, performance, and failure mechanisms.

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