Materials Development & Test Engineer

Analytical Mechanics Associates, Inc.; Hampton (VA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching plan

Tuition reimbursement

Disability plans

Medical, dental, and vision options

Job summary

Analytical Mechanics Associates, Inc. (AMA) seeks a Materials Development and Test Engineer to advance SiC composite materials for space nuclear propulsion at NASA Langley, Hampton, VA.

Lead development of hermetically sealed SiC cladding and tube structures while coordinating testing and documentation for NASA programs. The role requires hands‑on fabrication and testing of SiC composites (toward cladding systems like SiC‑SiC/SiC‑C), along with permeability testing and high‑temperature

Qualifications

• BS degree in aerospace engineering or related field is required.
• 2 years of relevant experience in advanced composites testing.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate feasibility of hermetically sealed multi‑purpose SiC composite cladding geometries for nuclear fuel and moderating material containment.
• Develop and evaluate continuous tow‑coating processes for SiC fibers, including feasibility assessments and testing documentation.
• Manufacture SiC composite tube structures using filament winding and determine wall thickness through analyses.
• Perform helium permeability testing and high‑temperature hot burst testing of SiC tubes with pre‑test measurements and reporting.
• Provide SME input in research, design, manufacture, testing, and evaluation of high‑temperature composite structures for nuclear applications, including modeling.

Skills

SiC composites

Filament winding

Tow coating

Permeability testing

XRD/CT/SEM

High temperature sealing

Documentation

Technical communication

Education

B.S. Degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field

Tools

CT

SEM

XRD

Job description

Job Description: Job Description:

Analytical Mechanics Associates, Inc. (AMA) is seeking a Materials Development and Test Engineer with hands‑on experience testing silicon carbide (SiC) composite materials for space nuclear propulsion applications. This position supports the Structural Mechanics and Concepts Branch at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA. The engineer will lead efforts in developing and fabricating SiC composite tube structures with advanced cladding systems (SiC‑SiC, SiC‑C, or SiC‑ZrC) designed to provide hermetically sealed containment of nuclear fuel, heat pipes, and moderating materials.

Responsibilities

Demonstrate feasibility of hermetically sealed multi‑purpose SiC composite cladding geometries for nuclear fuel and moderating material containment. Develop and evaluate continuous tow‑coating processes for SiC fibers, including feasibility assessments and documentation of technical approaches and required testing. Manufacture SiC composite tube structures using filament winding, perform analyses to determine required wall thickness, and conduct permeability testing on fabricated samples. Rapidly fabricate SiC composite test articles, integrate NASA‑provided ampules when required, apply approved sealing and overcoat methods, and deliver sealed units for NASA testing. Perform helium (or NASA‑approved) permeability testing and high‑temperature hot burst testing of fabricated SiC tubes, including pre‑test measurements, imaging, and test result reporting. Provide subject‑matter expertise in the research, design, manufacture, testing, and evaluation of high‑temperature composite structures for nuclear applications, including experimental work and computational modeling. Share characterization results (CT, SEM, XRD), prepare technical presentation materials for bi‑weekly NASA meetings, and contribute to final reporting and technical interchange meetings within the continental United States.

Required Experience

B.S. Degree in Aerospace Engineering or other applicable degree. 2years’ relevant experience inadvanced composites testing.

Desired Skills

Experience with SiC composite fabrication processes, including tow coating, filament winding, and high temperature sealing or joining techniques. Proficiency in materials characterization methods such as CT, SEM, and XRD, along with the ability to interpret and communicate results. Hands‑on experience conducting permeability and high temperature mechanical testing of ceramic or composite structures. Ability to develop technical documentation and present progress clearly, including slide preparation for technical meetings and contribution to formal reports. Ability to write clear and concise technical reports.

Must be a US Citizen or US Permanent Resident. Salary range is $100k-$120k.

About AMA

Analytical Mechanics Associates (AMA) is proud of our customer relationships, our diverse and dynamic work environment, and our employees' career satisfaction.

AMA is a small business with a wide reach; headquartered in Hampton, VA, AMA has operations in Greenbelt, MD; Huntsville, AL; Dallas and Houston, TX; Denver, CO; Mountain View, CA; and Edwards Air Force Base, CA.

With over 60 years of experience, AMA specializes in aerospace engineering, science, analytics, information technology, and visualization solutions.

AMA combines the best of engineering, science, and mathematics capabilities with the latest in information technologies, visualization, and multimedia to build creative solutions.

Benefits

• paid personal and federally recognized holiday leave
• salary deferrals into a 401(k)-matching plan with immediate vesting
• tuition reimbursement
• short/long term disability plans
• a variety of medical, dental, and vision insurance options

AMA is committed to the professional growth of every employee, understanding that the successes of our employees drive our success. We provide a work environment that is engaging, collaborative, and supportive.

To learn more about our company, please visit our website at www.ama-inc.com/careers and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

AMA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited under federal, state, or local laws.

Thank you for your interest in a career with AMA!

AMA is committed to the professional growth of every employee, understanding that the successes of our employees drive our success. We provide a work environment that is engaging, collaborative, and supportive.

To learn more about our company, please visit our website at www.ama-inc.com and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

With over 60 years of experience, Analytical Mechanics Associates (AMA) specializes in aerospace engineering, science, analytics, information technology, and visualization solutions. AMA combines the best of engineering, science, and mathematics capabilities with the latest in information technologies, visualization, and multimedia to build creative solutions.

We offer competitive salaries and a substantial benefits package, including but not limited to paid personal and federally recognized holiday leave, salary deferrals into a 401(k)-matching plan with immediate vesting, tuition reimbursement, short/long term disability plans, and a variety of medical, dental, and vision insurance options.

AMA is an Aff́rmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited under federal, state, or local laws.

Headquartered in Hampton, Virginia; with operations in Maryland, Alabama, Texas, Colorado, and California, AMA is a small business with a wide reach.