Associate Engineer

Element Materials Technology; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Element Materials Technology in Huntsville, AL seeks a Junior Test Engineer focused on dynamics testing. This entry-level role reports to a Senior Test Engineer and offers hands-on experience with vibration, acoustic testing, and data analysis.

You will assist with test setup, instrument installation, data collection, and test documentation, contributing to reliable test reports while learning MIL-STD and RTCA standards under mentorship.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (or related field) is required.
• 0–2 years of relevant experience, including internships or projects.
• Foundational technical skills in vibration, DAQ, and instrumentation.

Responsibilities

• Assist lab in executing dynamics tests, including vibration, acoustic testing, and basic electrical and structural evaluations.
• Support test setup and instrumentation installation per customer requirements.
• Project manage test programs with customers, technicians and senior engineers.
• Collect and organize test data and perform initial data review for reports.
• Document test activities and contribute to comprehensive test reports.

Skills

Vibration theory

DAQ familiarity

Programming basics

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

SolidWorks

Job description

Overview

We are seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated Junior Test Engineer specializing in dynamics testing to join our team. This is an excellent entry-level opportunity for a recent graduate or individual with 1-2 years of relevant experience. The successful candidate will work closely under the mentorship and direct supervision of a Senior Test Engineer and contribute to the crucial testing that ensures the reliability and performance of our advanced products.

Salary: $70,000 - $80,000/yr DOE

Responsibilities

• Assist lab in the execution of dynamics tests, including vibration (sine, random, shock), acoustic testing, pressure systems, basic electrical circuits, and structural evaluations, following established procedures and safety protocols.
• Support test setup: Help prepare the test laboratory and work closely with test technicians to mount test articles onto shakers or fixtures, assemble basic mechanical setups with senior engineer supervision, discuss test procedure profiles, and tolerances with technicians, and accurately install instrumentation such as accelerometers, thermocouples, sensors, etc. per customer requirements.
• Project manage test programs collaborating with customers, technicians, senior engineer and project managers
• Collect and organize test data. Perform initial data review and basic processing for test reports
• Document test activities meticulously, including setup configurations, procedural steps, observations, and initial results, contributing to comprehensive test reports.
• Document control for individual projects that align with Elements quality policy – test control records, notice of deviations, procedures, test reports, etc.
• Assist in the design and fabrication of simple test fixtures and cables.
• Perform basic maintenance and calibration checks on laboratory equipment as directed.
• Actively participate in training and learning activities to build expertise in vibration theory, test standards (e.g., MIL-STD, RTCA), and data analysis techniques.

Skills / Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a closely related discipline.
• Experience: 0-2 years of experience (includes relevant internships, co-ops, or substantial academic projects).
• Foundational Technical Skills:
  • Solid understanding of basic physics principles, especially mechanics, vibration, pressure and fluid systems (compressible and incompressible flow) and structural behavior.
  • Familiarity with data acquisition systems (DAQ) and fundamental instrumentation and sensor types (e.g., accelerometers).
  • Basic competency in programming and CAD software (MatLab, SolidWorks, etc)
• Soft Skills:
  • Strong desire to learn and an aptitude for hands-on, detailed technical work.
  • Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
  • Ability to follow instructions accurately and work effectively in a team environment.
  • Great verbal and written communication skills including willingness to ask questions and/or help.
  • Ability to multi-task on multiple projects with a cross functional team environment.
  • Ability to coordinate with customers and provide updates for project milestones, test progress/results.

Company Overview

Element is one of the fastest growing testing, inspection and certification businesses in the world. Globally we have more than 9,000 brilliant minds operating from 270 sites across 30 countries. Together we share an ambitious purpose to ‘Make tomorrow safer than today’.

When failure in use is not an option, we help customers make certain that their products, materials, processes and services are safe, compliant and fit for purpose. From early R&D, through complex regulatory approvals and into production, our global laboratory network of scientists, engineers, and technologists support customers to achieve assurance over product quality, sustainable outcomes, and market access.

While we are proud of our global reach, working at Element feels like being part of a smaller company. We empower you to take charge of your career, and reward excellence and integrity with growth and development.

Industries across the world depend on our care, attention to detail and the absolute accuracy of our work. The role we have to play in creating a safer world is much bigger than our organization.

Diversity Statement

At Element, we always take pride in putting our people first. We are an equal opportunity employer that recognizes diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our Vision of becoming “the world’s most trusted testing partner”.

All suitably qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective work related criteria and without regard for the following: age, disability, ethnic origin, gender, marital status, race, religion, responsibility of dependents, sexual orientation, or gender identity or other characteristics in accordance with the applicable governing laws or other characteristics in accordance with the applicable governing laws.