Lab Technician - Metallography and Mechanical Testing

FTAI Aviation; Orange (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

FTAI Aviation is seeking a Lab Technician for the on-site materials lab to perform metallographic, hardness, and tensile testing on thermal spray coatings, including tungsten carbide, aluminum bronze, and chrome carbide, to verify quality against specs. This is a hands-on, full-time bench role.

You will prepare samples, examine microstructure with an optical microscope, document results, calibrate equipment, and support root-cause investigations and process development.

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.
• Hands-on operation of polishing equipment, Rockwell and Vickers hardness testers, and tensile testing machines.
• Strong 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.

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.

Skills

Microscopy interpretation

Polishing equipment operation

Rockwell / Vickers testing

Tensile testing experience

Dimensional measurement tools

Data recording and reporting

Lab safety & documentation

Education

Associate degree or technical certificate in materials science or metallurgy

Tools

Polishing equipment

Rockwell hardness tester

Vickers hardness tester

Tensile testing machines

Microscopes

Job description

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.