Chemical Technician

Astrion; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Astrion is seeking a Chemical Technician to support the Army DEVCOM AvMC Energetic Materials Division at Redstone Arsenal, AL. The role involves propellants, energetic materials, and missile systems development, with heavy emphasis on safety and compliance.

The successful candidate will perform precision weighing, material preparation, and propellant work in a rugged, collaborative lab setting and may cross-train into related technician disciplines as needed.

Qualifications

• AS Degree or 4+ years of experience in relevant discipline.
• Must obtain/maintain licenses for handling Ammunition and Explosives.
• Able to work with hazardous materials with PPE.
• Must maintain high attention to detail due to hazardous environment.
• Must obtain/maintain Secret Clearance (US citizenship required).
• Must pass initial drug and alcohol screening and random monthly screening.

Responsibilities

• Support R&D of US Army Energetics; propellants, casings, nozzles, igniters, warheads.
• Perform precision weighing and weigh chemical ingredients.
• Prepare hazardous materials, including weighing, drying, grinding, mixing, casting; load solid rocket motors.
• Propellant mixing, casting, loading, and testing; data evaluation and documentation.
• Maintain MS Excel spreadsheets for parts/inventory; manage hazardous waste; troubleshoot equipment; stock parts.
• Learn cross-train for electrical, hardware, software, systems as needed; operate related test equipment.

Skills

AS Degree/4+ yrs exp

Secret Clearance

Hazardous materials handling

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Education

Associate of Science (AS) Degree

Tools

PPE

MS Excel

Laboratory equipment

Job description

Overview

Chemical Technician

LOCATION: Redstone Arsenal

JOB STATUS: Full Time

Clearance: Secret

TRAVEL: Travel could be required up to 10% of the time, as mission dictates.

Astrion has an exciting opportunity for a Chemical Technicianfor the PST, supporting the Army Division. The Chemical Technician will be supporting the U.S. Army Development Command (DEVCOM) Aviation and Missile Center (AvMC), FIRES Directorate, Energetic Materials Division (MPE) located on Redstone Arsenal, AL neighboring Huntsville, AL. The Chemical Technician will become a member of highly specialized team in the Energetic Materials Division, supporting the research and development of U.S. Army rocket and missile systems.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS

• Associate of Science (AS) Degree in relevant discipline and 4 or more years' experience OR 6 or more years' experience without AS Degree.
• Must be able to perform other on the job training and obtain and maintain additional licenses and certificates, if and as required. Such as: certification in handling and transporting Ammunition and Explosives.
• With proper training, oversight, and safety measures, must be able to work with and around hazardous propellant/explosive/energetic materials while using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) provided.
• Since the job will entail working with hazardous materials, strong attention to detail is required.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance (U.S. Citizenship is required for all applicants)
• Must pass an initial drug and alcohol screening and be enrolled in random monthly screening thereafter.
• Must possess, or be able to obtain and maintain once employed, a Commercial Drivers' License (CDL) to transport Ammunition and Explosives (A&E).
• Must be able to work in a rugged environment.
• Ability to participate as a team member.
• Must be self-motivated and able to work independently.
• Good interpersonal, organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to use Spreadsheet, Word Processor, Database, & Email.
• Must be willing to cross-train and implement other technician disciplines if/as required (electrical, hardware, software, systems, etc.)
• Must be capable of obtaining proper medical approvals for the use of a Respirator, including half-face, full-face, supplied air, and/or self-contained respiratory protection systems.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS

• Associate of Science Degree highly preferred.
• Previous experience in the research and development of missile/rocket motors is highly preferred.
• Working knowledge of initiation mechanisms in energetic materials highly preferred.
• Hands on experience with propellants, explosives, energetics, and pyrotechnics highly preferred.
• Hands on laboratory experience with hazardous chemicals and ingredients highly preferred.
• Experience working directly with government and/or military customers preferred.
• Familiarity with formulation of propellant/explosive/energetic materials highly preferred.
• Experience with welding and/or fabrication of parts is a plus.
• Experience with plumbing, including pressurized systems is a plus.
• Experience conducting environmental, chemical, and A&E inventory is a plus.
• Experience operating test equipment including vacuum pumps, temperature chambers, etc. is a plus.
• Previous radiographic inspection experience preferred.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• The Chemical Technician will provide an array of support for the research and development of U.S. Army Energetics, which may include missile propellants, casings, nozzles, and igniters, warheads, and other energetic materials.
• Daily responsibilities include performing precision weighing operations and mixing chemical ingredients.
• Prepare hazardous chemical materials to include weighing, drying, grinding, mixing, casting, and de-tooling/finishing solid rocket motors and transferring and mixing solid and hypergolic liquid/gel propellants.
• Perform propellant mixing, casting, and loading.
• Perform propellant performance testing and analysis.
• Assist with data evaluation, interpretation, and documentation of different types of high performing missile propulsion systems including solid, liquid/gel, and air breathing propulsion systems.
• Learn and utilize high pressure plumbing skills such as installing and replacing valves, piping, and tubing if needed.
• Maintaining MS Excel spreadsheets for parts and inventory ordering; handling and disposing of hazardous materials in support of operations; troubleshooting both electrical and mechanical problems; stocking spare parts, new parts, and maintenance supplies in support of existing and new projects.
• Will listen to and follow directions, learn, and operate while maintaining a safe and organized work area, and communicate effectively in a fluid, multi-tasked, team environment.
• Job duties will include small scale synthesis, chemical analyses using common analytical techniques, carrying out routine safety testing of known and novel energetic materials, maintenance of laboratory equipment, and reporting results through regular oral and written communication with senior scientists and engineers.
• May cross-train for electrical technician duties, such as placement and utilization of pressure transducers and thermocouples, reading electrical schematics, troubleshooting electronic circuits, and soldering, if required.
• The candidate may attend forklift training to become properly certified and may then use forklifts to move heavy objects.
• Assist with database input and management.
• Perform ammunition and explosives inventory.
• May operate graphical user interfaces of software used for collection and analysis of propulsion system performance predictions and test data.
• May perform data evaluation, interpretation, and documentation of different types of systems.
• May use software to analyze test data and make propulsion system performance predictions.
• May design, plan, and perform on a variety of different systems including facilities and structures used for tactical missile propulsion research and development.
• May assist with facilities planning and set up for energetic materials research, development, test, and engineering.
• The job will entail other duties as assigned.