Materials Engineer (ES3-5)

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Overview

The Materials Science and Metallurgy Branch (EM31) at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, AL has an opening for a Materials Engineer. This professional will serve as an engineer on a strong and high performing team of engineers, technicians, interns and subcontractor personnel. As a contributor to this team, the selected individual will be a highly skilled and detail-oriented Materials Test Engineer who will lead materials characterization and testing efforts within the laboratory. The ideal candidate will be a "super-user" in Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), possessing deep, hands-on expertise in advanced microscopy, microstructural analysis, and materials behavior. This role involves characterizing advanced materials, leading failure analysis investigations, developing new testing protocols, and serving as the facility’s primary technical authority for SEM and related characterization equipment. The selected candidate will be responsible for performing high-resolution imaging, compositional analysis, fractography, and microstructural evaluations on a wide range of advanced aerospace materials (e.g., metals, alloys, ceramics, polymers, and advanced coatings). Be a part of our team, as we support the exciting challenge to return mankind back to the Moon and beyond.

Responsibilities

The Materials Engineer will:

• Serve as the laboratory "super-user" and primary technical expert for Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) systems.

• Perform high-resolution imaging, compositional analysis, fractography, and microstructural evaluations on a wide range of advanced materials (e.g., metals, alloys, ceramics, polymers, and advanced coatings).

• Oversee and execute advanced sample preparation techniques, including sectioning, mounting, grinding, polishing, etching, and sputter coating to ensure optimal imaging and analysis.

• Lead root-cause failure analysis investigations on material samples, test articles and hardware, providing comprehensive technical reports and actionable recommendations.

• Develop and document standard operating procedures (SOPs) and innovative testing methodologies for unique or challenging material samples.

• Develop and work according to standard operating and safety procedures.

• Train, certify, and mentor junior engineers, technicians, and researchers on the safe and effective use of SEM equipment and proper sample handling.

• Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team to achieve project success and delivery in a specified timescale.

• Assist in planning the modification of existing laboratory test plans and the design and operation of new plans related to metallurgical evaluation tasks.

• Utilize computers and computer software daily to generate reports, gather data and communicate test results.

• Interface with Engineering and Science Services Capabilities Augmentation (ESSCA) engineers, ESSCA technicians, and NASA customers as part of their daily duties.

Qualifications

• BS minimum requirement in Materials Science, Materials Science & Engineering, Metallurgy, Mechanical, Chemical or Aerospace Engineering or related STEM field from an accredited school of engineering.
• High operational hands-on proficiency (super user) with Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEM) and/or EDS systems.
• A minimum of 5 yrs experience.
• Proof of U.S. Citizenship is required.

Desired Experience:

A highly qualified candidate will have experience with the following:

• Strong foundation in materials science principles, physical metallurgy, and the mechanical/chemical properties of materials.

• "Super-user" in Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), possessing deep, hands-on expertise in advanced microscopy, microstructural analysis, and materials behavior.

• 2-5 years of hands-on, post-graduate professional experience in a materials testing or R&D laboratory environment.

• Proven ability to independently design test plans, execute complex analyses, and author clear, concise technical reports.

• Experience with advanced or aerospace-grade materials, including space-environment materials, lunar regolith simulants, or superomniphobic coatings.

• Experience operating SEM, EDS, Optical microscopes, Focused Ion Beam (FIB) systems, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), or related analytical techniques.

• Familiarity with data analysis and programming (e.g., Python, MATLAB) for image processing or automation.

• Responsible for the planning, setup, and execution of materials characterization test series on known and unknown materials.

• Executing Research & Development and customer driven Engineering Work System assignments pertaining to efforts in the development and execution of novel materials and metallurgy diagnostics.

• Process data using various software systems.

• Installing, operating, and maintaining laboratory equipment including instrumentation and data acquisition systems and software.

• Conceptualizing and communicating major elements of experimental design and results to stakeholders.

• Serving as a Materials and Metallurgy representative on multi-disciplined engineering teams to understand and resolve anomalies with aerospace flight hardware.

• Investigating anomalies and implementing alternative solutions to problems as presented by various stakeholders.

• Writing operating procedures, analysis methods, and laboratory procedures.

• Implementing rigorous work planning and control processes to assure safe, secure, and high-quality operations and results.

• Physical Requirements: Requires sitting for extended periods of time in meetings with peers, management, and with our client at NASA facilities to discuss technical issues (80%). Requires sitting at a desk to write reports and perform engineering task activities (10%). Requires walking, standing, lifting, bending in a lab environment with hazards that require wearing safety glasses, hearing protection, foot protection, gloves, and other personal protective equipment to perform some operations (10%). Work will be performed in hybrid format as required at NASA/ Marshall Space Flight Center (75%) and employee’s home office (25%).

• Work Environment: General office environment (60%), lab environment (40%). Requires ability to provide clear, concise, accurate and timely communication, both verbally and in writing (100%). Requires ability to interact professionally with co-workers, management, and client (100%). Travel may be necessary, but infrequent (