Lab Technician

FTAI Aviation LLC; Orange (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

FTAI Aviation Ltd. in Orange, CA, seeks a Lab Technician – Metallography & Mechanical Testing to perform metallographic, hardness, and tensile testing on thermal spray coatings in a hands-on bench role.

Responsibilities include preparing samples, evaluating microstructure, capturing images, and recording data to verify against specs. Requires 4–5 years in a metallurgical lab, with Rockwell/Vickers and tensile testing experience.

Qualifications

• 4–5 years of hands‑on materials or metallurgical lab experience.
• Ability to interpret metallurgical structures under a microscope and distinguish coating defects from preparation artifacts.
• Proven operation of polishing equipment, Rockwell and Vickers hardness testers, and tensile testing machines.
• Solid measurement and math skills; comfortable with calipers, micrometers, and image-analysis tools.
• Careful, detail‑driven documentation habits and the ability to work independently on a full test queue.
• Ability to follow written procedures and work instructions precisely.

Responsibilities

• Prepare metallographic samples end to end: sectioning, mounting, grinding, and polishing to a scratch‑free finish for microscopic evaluation.
• Examine coating microstructure and evaluate porosity, oxide content, unmelted particles, coating thickness, bond line integrity.
• Capture, measure, and document microstructural images and compare with criteria and standards.
• Conduct hardness testing using Rockwell and Vickers equipment; calibrate and set loads and indenters.
• Set up and run tensile tests, and record load, elongation, and failure mode.
• Maintain lab equipment and records; ensure calibration and safety compliance.
• Support root-cause investigations and process development trials as needed.

Skills

Metallography lab

Hardness testing

Tensile testing

Microscopy interpretation

Documentation & data

Procedural compliance

Education

Associate degree or technical certificate in materials science

Tools

Polishing equipment

Rockwell & Vickers testers

Calipers & micrometers

Image analysis software

Lab data systems

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Full Time Orange, CA, US

11 days ago Requisition ID: 1198

Salary Range: $90,000.00 To $110,000.00 Annually

Lab Technician – Metallography & Mechanical Testing

Location: Orange, California

ABOUT FTAI AVIATION LTD. (NASDAQ: FTAI)

FTAI owns and maintains commercial jet engines with a focus on CFM56 engines. FTAI’s propriety portfolio of products, including the Module Factory and a joint venture to manufacture engine PMA, enables it to provide cost savings and flexibility to our airline, lessor, and maintenance, repair, and operations customer base. Additionally, FTAI owns and leases jet aircraft which often facilitates the acquisition of engines at attractive prices. FTAI invests in aviation assets and aerospace products that generate strong and stable cash flows with the potential for earnings growth and asset appreciation.

FTAI operates globally and has offices in New York, Miami, Montréal, Singapore. Dubai, United Kingdom and Ireland.

JOB OVERVIEW

The Lab Technician role will perform metallographic, tensile, and hardness testing on thermal spray coatings — including tungsten carbide, aluminum bronze, and chrome carbide — to verify coating quality against internal and customer specifications. This is a hands‑on, full-time bench role in the materials lab.

Responsibilities

• Prepare metallographic samples end to end: sectioning, mounting, grinding, and polishing to a scratch‑free finish suitable for microscopic evaluation.
• Examine coating microstructure under optical microscope and evaluate porosity, oxide content, unmelted particles, coating thickness, bond line integrity, and interface condition.
• Capture, measure, and document microstructural images; compare results against acceptance criteria and reference standards.
• Conduct hardness testing using Rockwell and Vickers (including microhardness) equipment; verify calibration and set up appropriate loads and indenters for coating and substrate materials.
• Set up and run tensile tests, including bond strength/adhesion testing of sprayed coatings; install specimens, apply correct fixtures and rates, and record load, elongation, and failure mode.
• Operate, clean, and maintain lab equipment: saws, mounting presses, automated and manual polishers, microscopes, hardness testers, and tensile frames.
• Record test data accurately, generate test reports, and flag nonconforming or out-of-trend results to the supervisor promptly.
• Maintain calibration records, consumable inventory, and lab housekeeping; follow all safety and chemical-handling requirements.
• Support root cause investigations and process development trials with additional sample prep and testing as requested.

Qualifications

• 4–5 years of hands‑on materials or metallurgical lab experience.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret metallurgical structures under a microscope and distinguish coating defects from preparation artifacts.
• Proven hands‑on operation of polishing equipment, Rockwell and Vickers hardness testers, and tensile testing machines.
• Solid measurement and math skills; comfortable with calipers, micrometers, and image-analysis measurement tools.
• Careful, detail‑driven documentation habits and the ability to work independently on a full test queue.
• Ability to follow written procedures and work instructions precisely.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with thermal spray coatings (HVOF, plasma, combustion) and carbide or bronze coating systems.
• Associate degree or technical certificate in materials science, metallurgy, or a related field.
• Familiarity with image analysis software and lab data systems.
• Experience working in a lab governed by a formal quality management system.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• Full-time, on‑site lab work with extended periods of standing, bench work, and microscope use.
• Frequent fine motor and repetitive hand work during sample preparation.
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs.
• Exposure to abrasives, polishing compounds, acids/etchants, and machine noise; required PPE must be worn at all times.