Material Characterization Technician

University of Dayton; Eglin Air Force Base (FL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) at Eglin AFB, FL, seeks a Material Characterization Technician to support energetic materials characterization and small-scale safety testing within AFRL’s Munitions Directorate, Ordnance Division, Energetic Materials Branch (Characterization Section).

The role requires lab sample preparation, data analysis, and routine experiments, working with scientists, engineers, and technicians to maintain safety and quality in a DoD environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent (T1) with 3 years related working experience (T2).
• Ability to organize and keep good records.
• Ability to work within a team of scientists, engineers and technicians.
• Experience with repetitive tasks and keeping a clean working environment.
• Effective use of verbal and written communication in a scientific/technical setting.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET level security clearance.
• U.S. citizen due to government research contracts.

Responsibilities

• Energetic Materials Safety Testing: Sample prep and repetitive testing to characterize safety thresholds per SOPs.
• Chemical Laboratory Hygiene: Manage storage, handling, disposal, and inventory of hazardous materials.
• Data Management, Documentation & Reporting: Record, track, and archive logs with precision.
• Technical Communication: Effectively report results and observations to researchers and program managers.
• Safety, Explosives Accountability & Facility Management: Enforce safety standards and guidelines.
• Materials Accountability: Maintain inventory and safe storage of energetic materials.
• Maintenance & Troubleshooting: Conduct scheduled equipment maintenance.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Team collaboration

Record keeping

Safety awareness

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Job No: 503976
Work Type: Staff Full Time (1500 hours or greater)
Location: Eglin AFB, FL
Category: Research Institute Staff
Department: Energetic Materials - 250515
Pay Grade: T1/T2 - Non Exempt
Advertised: October 19, 2026
Applications close: Open until filled

Position Summary:

Join University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI), where innovation meets purpose in advancing critical research that shapes our world. This position is located at Eglin AFB, FL, supporting the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Munitions Directorate, Ordnance Division, Energetic Materials Branch (Characterization Section). Apply to our Material Characterization Technician opening today!

This position is located at Eglin AFB, FL. The technician will work support the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Munitions Directorate, Ordnance Division, Energetic Materials Branch (Characterization Section). In this role, the technician will support energetic materials characterization and small-scale safety testing by preparing material test samples, set-up and running of repeat experiments, compilation and analysis of data and other related laboratory support functions. Candidate will ideally have experience with general wet chemical and engineering laboratory techniques.

Key Duties & Core Responsibilities:

• Energetic Materials Safety Testing Sample preparation and repetitive testing to characterize safety thresholds of energetic materials following standard operating procedures with attention to safety and detail.
• Chemical Laboratory Hygiene Follow guidelines for chemical storage, handling, disposal, and inventory for hazardous chemical operations.
• Data Management, Documentation & Reporting Data Collection: Accurately record, track, and archive operational logs with attention to detail.
• Technical Communication Effectively communicate results, observations, and opportunities for improvement to research engineers and program managers.
• Safety, Explosives Accountability & Facility Management Explosive Safety Compliance: Enforce and comply with all DoW, USAF, and AFRL safety standards, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and explosive safety guidelines.
• Materials Accountability Maintain strict inventory control, documentation, and safe storage protocols for all energetic materials.
• Maintenance & Troubleshooting Perform scheduled maintenance with laboratory equipment.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school degree or equivalent (T1) with 3 years related working experience (T2).
• Ability to organize and keep good records.
• Ability to work within a team of scientists, engineers and technicians.
• Experience with repetitive tasks and keeping a clean working environment.
• Effective use of verbal and written communication in a scientific/technical setting.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET level security clearance.
• Due to the requirements of our research contracts with the U.S. federal government, candidates for this position must be a U.S. citizen.

Preferred Qualifications:

While not everyone may possess all of the preferred qualifications, the ideal candidate will bring many of the following:

• Associate’s degree in Engineering or related field.
• Experience working in a DoD laboratory environment.
• Experience with sample preparation, and data analysis associated with basic chemical and engineering laboratory instrumentation and techniques such as: impact, friction, and electrostatic discharge sensitivity.
• Experience with Inverse Gas Chromatography instrumentation.
• Experience with Thermal Gravimetric Analysis.
• Experience with Particle Size instrumentation.
• An active SECRET security clearance or equivalent.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

To apply please submit a cover letter addressing each minimum qualification and any applicable preferred qualifications that you meet.

Closing Statement:

Informed by its Catholic and Marianist mission, the University is committed to the dignity of every human being. Informed by this commitment, we seek to increase diversity in all of its forms, achieve fair outcomes, and model inclusion across our campus community. The University is committed to policies of affirmative action designed to increase the employment opportunities of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1973.

• Staff Full Time (1500 hours or greater) 1