Aerospace Materials Engineer II — Thermal & Lab

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; California; On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans

Dental plans

Vision plans

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Flexible schedule

Parental leave

Job summary

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, is seeking a Level II Materials & Processes Technologist to join the 353M group. You will support thermal, propulsion, and materials hardware; participate in design, fabrication, assembly, test, and launch operations across multiple missions.

The ideal candidate holds a relevant degree with experience in a materials lab, can draft testing plans with engineers, and communicate effectively in a team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, or related technical discipline with a minimum of 3 years of related experience; Master’s degree with a minimum of 1 year of related experience; or PhD in similar disciplines.
• Familiarity with the equipment, tools, and processes typical in a materials lab and how to use them, for instance for mechanical test, metallography, microscopy, adhesive bonding, and failure analysis.
• Experience writing, reviewing, or supporting science research grants and/or proposals.
• Ability to communicate clearly while working in a team environment to achieve a common goal.
• Knowledge of industry practices and standards, with a particular focus on the fabrication, qualification, and testing of materials and/or mechanical hardware.
• Good working knowledge of Word, Power Point, Excel and other standard computer office tools.

Responsibilities

• Work independently on moderately complex materials engineering activities in day-to-day assignments under minor supervision; receiving instructions on new assignments.
• Research, propose, and lead the capture of new materials development opportunities.
• Support materials and processing in all phases of the hardware design, manufacture, integration and test, and Assembly, Test and Launch Operations (ATLO) activities.
• Work in a dynamic, critical, development test lab environment in JPL’s Materials Testing Laboratories service department.
• Provide materials laboratory support for thermal vacuum testing, surface preparation, adhesive bonding, metallography, and more as needed
• Partner with engineers to draft and execute sample testing plans.
• Interface with project engineers and scientists to achieve a seamless blending of engineering/science interface.
• Provide work direction to other personnel or part-time students, as needed.
• Partner with engineers to generate engineering and fabrication requirements, as needed.
• Exercise judgment in applying applicable policies, procedures and practices to new situations to determine appropriate action.
• Consult with others as needed and participate on teams within and outside of our own organization.

Skills

Materials lab equipment usage

Grants & proposals

Team communication

Fabrication & testing of materials

Quality standards & testing methods

MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science or related

Master's degree with 1 year experience

PhD in related discipline

Tools

MS Office Suite

Metallography equipment

Microscopy techniques

Adhesive bonding & mechanical testing tools

Job description

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, is seeking a Level II Materials & Processes Technologist to join the 353M group. You will support thermal, propulsion, and materials hardware; participate in design, fabrication, assembly, test, and launch operations across multiple missions.

The ideal candidate holds a relevant degree with experience in a materials lab, can draft testing plans with engineers, and communicate effectively in a team.