Composite Sample Prep Technician

AeroVironment, Inc.; Upper Valley Trailer Court (OH); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. seeks a Composite Sample Prep Technician as part of the Materials and Processing Team at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. You will collaborate with material scientists and engineers to characterize composite materials, including ceramic and polymer matrix systems.

Responsibilities include sample prep, SEM, XRD, and optical profilometry analysis, with comfort in a chemical lab setting. ITAR/EAR compliance applies, and a U.S. citizenship is required.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• BS in Materials Science or Mechanical Engineering or an associate’s degree with 1-2 years laboratory experience.
• Ability to follow written SOPs and verbal instructions.
• Provide technical written reports.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong time management skills.

Responsibilities

• General Laboratory Support/Housekeeping
• Preparing samples for and conducting SEM, XRD, and Optical Profilometry analysis
• Following Employee Health and Safety Requirements
• Quality control of scaled synthesized materials

Skills

Written and verbal communication

Time management

Follow SOPs

Education

BS in Materials Science or Mechanical Engineering

Associate degree with 1-2 years lab experience

Tools

SEM

XRD

Optical Profilometry

Job description

Worker Type Regular Job Description

AV is seeking a Composite Sample Prep Technician as a member of the Materials and Processing Team at the Air Force Research Lab located on Wright Patterson Air Force Base. This position will work closely with material scientists and mechanical engineers for the characterization of composite materials including ceramic and polymer matrix composites.

Duties includes sample prep (including griding and polishing) of composites for sample analysis for the Materials and Processing Research team. Characterization techniques includes scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and optical profilometry. Experience in composite layup fabrication is a plus. Applicants should have some comfortability working in chemical laboratory settings and industrial or manufacturing spaces. Work will primarily occur during M-F during regular business hours.

Primary Responsibilities

• General Laboratory Support/Housekeeping
• Preparing samples for and conducting SEM, XRD, and Optical Profilometry analysis
• Following Employee Health and Safety Requirements
• Quality control of scaled synthesized materials

Required Qualifications

• This position requires U.S. Citizenship
• B.S. in a material science mechanical engineer or an associate’s degree with 1-2 Years Experience Working in a Laboratory.
• Ability to Follow written standard operating procedures and Verbal Instructions
• Provide technical written reports
• Strong Written and Verbal Communication Skills
• Strong Time Management Skills

Desired Qualities

• Experience in sample prep and conducting SEM, XRD, and Optical Profilometry
• Composite layup experience such as hand layup, prepreg layup, and vacuum bagging is a plus.

ITAR Requirement

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify U.S. person status under the ITAR and the EAR. A “U.S. person” according to their definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee, or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits

• medical
• dental vision
• 401K with company matching
• a 9/80 work schedule
• a paid holiday shutdown

AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown.

About Us

Who We Are Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC.

Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty – and succeed.

What We Do Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR About AV: AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best. We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve. Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next. If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV. Careers at AeroVironment