Materials Engineer (ES3-5)

Amentum; Huntsville (AL); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision insurance

401(k) and retirement benefits

Educational reimbursement

Job summary

Amentum’s Materials Science and Metallurgy team in Huntsville, AL seeks a Materials Engineer to lead SEM/EDS characterization of advanced aerospace materials. The role requires deep microscopy expertise, microstructure analysis, and the ability to develop testing protocols.

You will guide junior staff and produce clear technical reports for NASA and ESSCA collaborators. The position offers hybrid work arrangements with on-site labs and remote collaboration, supportingMoon-to-Mars initiatives and

Qualifications

• BS in Materials Science or related STEM field from an accredited school of engineering.
• Hands-on proficiency with SEM/EDS systems; strong microscopy and microstructure knowledge.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience; U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as laboratory technical expert for SEM/EDS systems and analysis.
• Perform high‑resolution imaging, fractography, and microstructural evaluations on aerospace materials.
• Lead material characterization campaigns and develop SOPs for testing.
• Mentor junior engineers and technicians; prepare technical reports for stakeholders.
• Coordinate with ESSCA and NASA customers to deliver results on schedule.

Skills

SEM expertise

EDS analysis

Root-cause analysis

Education

BS in Materials Science or related STEM

Tools

SEM

EDS

TEM

XRD

FIB

Job description

Join Our Journey At Amentum Space Exploration Division (ASED) your growth is our priority! That’s why we offer an array of exciting opportunities for your career development. From the transformative Team Lead Academy to education reimbursement, personalized mentoring, and engaging company-sponsored networking events, you have the power to shape your professional journey in a way that aligns with your aspirations.

Find Your Community At the heart of our thriving business are the incredible people who make it all possible. We celebrate a vibrant array of cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. Here, we foster an environment where everyone—employees, clients, and partners alike—are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Prioritize Your Well-Being Our extensive benefits package is designed with your health in mind. Enjoy wellness programs, paid holidays, generous time off, employee perks, and so much more. We’re here to help you achieve a harmonious balance in your life—both at work and at home.

Together, We Soar Our dynamic team consists of ten companies united in a single mission: to venture from Moon to Mars and beyond. Join us on this extraordinary adventure! This position has been aligned with Bevilacqua Research Corp. To learn more, click here

Overview: The Materials Science and Metallurgy Branch (EM31) at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, AL has an opening for a Materials Engineer. This professional will serve as an engineer on a strong and high performing team of engineers, technicians, interns and subcontractor personnel. As a contributor to this team, the selected individual will be a highly skilled and detail-oriented Materials Test Engineer who will lead materials characterization and testing efforts within the laboratory. The ideal candidate will be a “super-user” in Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), possessing deep, hands‑on expertise in advanced microscopy, microstructural analysis, and materials behavior. This role involves characterizing advanced materials, leading failure analysis investigations, developing new testing protocols, and serving as the facility’s primary technical authority for SEM and related characterization equipment. The selected candidate will be responsible for performing high‑resolution imaging, compositional analysis, fractography, and microstructural evaluations on a wide range of advanced aerospace materials (e.g., metals, alloys, ceramics, polymers, and advanced coatings). Be a part of our team, as we support the exciting challenge to return mankind back to the Moon and beyond.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the laboratory “super-user” and primary technical expert for Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X‑Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) systems.
• Perform high‑resolution imaging, compositional analysis, fractography, and microstructural evaluations on a wide range of advanced materials (e.g., metals, alloys, ceramics, polymers, and advanced coatings).
• Oversee and execute advanced sample preparation techniques, including sectioning, mounting, grinding, polishing, etching, and sputter coating to ensure optimal imaging and analysis.
• Lead root‑cause failure analysis investigations on material samples, test articles and hardware, providing comprehensive technical reports and actionable recommendations.
• Develop and document standard operating procedures (SOPs) and innovative testing methodologies for unique or challenging material samples.
• Develop and work according to standard operating and safety procedures.
• Train, certify, and mentor junior engineers, technicians, and researchers on the safe and effective use of SEM equipment and proper sample handling.
• Collaborate with a multi‑disciplinary team to achieve project success and delivery in a specified timescale.
• Assist in planning the modification of existing laboratory test plans and the design and operation of new plans related to metallurgical evaluation tasks.
• Utilize computers and computer software daily to generate reports, gather data and communicate test results.
• Interface with Engineering and Science Services Capabilities Augmentation (ESSCA) engineers, ESSCA technicians, and NASA customers as part of their daily duties.

Qualifications

• BS minimum requirement in Materials Science, Materials Science & Engineering, Metallurgy, Mechanical, Chemical or Aerospace Engineering or related STEM field from an accredited school of engineering.
• High operational hands‑on proficiency (super user) with Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEM) and/or EDS systems.
• A minimum of 5 yrs experience.
• Proof of U.S. Citizenship is required.

Desired Experience

• Strong foundation in materials science principles, physical metallurgy, and the mechanical/chemical properties of materials.
• “Super-user” in Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), possessing deep, hands‑on expertise in advanced microscopy, microstructural analysis, and materials behavior.
• 2-5 years of hands‑on, post-graduate professional experience in a materials testing or R&D laboratory environment.
• Proven ability to independently design test plans, execute complex analyses, and author clear, concise technical reports.
• Experience with advanced or aerospace-grade materials, including space-environment materials, lunar regolith simulants, or superomniphobic coatings.
• Experience operating SEM, EDS, Optical microscopes, Focused Ion Beam (FIB) systems, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X‑ray Diffraction (XRD), or related analytical techniques.
• Familiarity with data analysis and programming (e.g., Python, MATLAB) for image processing or automation.
• Responsible for the planning, setup, and execution of materials characterization test series on known and unknown materials.
• Executing Research & Development and customer driven Engineering Work System assignments pertaining to efforts in the development and execution of novel materials and metallurgy diagnostics.
• Process data using various software systems.
• Installing, operating, and maintaining laboratory equipment including instrumentation and data acquisition systems and software.
• Conceptualizing and communicating major elements of experimental design and results to stakeholders.
• Serving as a Materials and Metallurgy representative on multi-disciplined engineering teams to understand and resolve anomalies with aerospace flight hardware.
• Investigating anomalies and implementing alternative solutions to problems as presented by various stakeholders.
• Writing operating procedures, analysis methods, and laboratory procedures.
• Implementing rigorous work planning and control processes to assure safe, secure, and high-quality operations and results.

Physical Requirements

• Requires sitting for extended periods of time in meetings with peers, management, and with our client at NASA facilities to discuss technical issues (80%).
• Requires sitting at a desk to write reports and perform engineering task activities (10%).
• Requires walking, standing, lifting, bending in a lab environment with hazards that require wearing safety glasses, hearing protection, foot protection, gloves, and other personal protective equipment to perform some operations (10%).
• Work will be performed in hybrid format as required at NASA/ Marshall Space Flight Center (75%) and employee’s home office (25%).
• Work Environment: General office environment (60%), lab environment (40%).
• Requires ability to provide clear, concise, accurate and timely communication, both verbally and in writing (100%).
• Requires ability to interact professionally with co-workers, management, and client (100%).
• Travel may be necessary, but infrequent (<5%).
• Equipment and Machines: Requires the ability to operate a personal computer, a telephone, copier, calculator, and other general office equipment (100%).
• Requires the ability to operate materials processing and test equipment (50%).

Attendance

• This is a full-time, hybrid position.
• Work assignments will be modified based on a normal workday which is from 8:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
• Attendance and being prompt is important to provide continuous service to the customer; adequate arrangements for delegating duties during absences is required.
• Regular attendance and punctuality are mandatory for meetings and other planned occasions (100%).
• Some telework is acceptable as the work permits, but for the most part duties will be on‑site.

Other Essential Functions

• Ability to verbally, and in writing, communicate work, test status, test results, problems, and proposed actions with engineers, customers, and government representatives.
• Ability to thoroughly document findings and actions is essential.
• Grooming and dress must be appropriate for the position and must not impose a safety risk/hazard to the employee or others.

Compensation Details

ES3-5 The compensation range or hourly rate listed for this position is provided as a good‑faith estimate of what the company intends to offer for this role at the time this posting was issued. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as job responsibilities, education, experience, skills, internal equity, market data, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and relevant laws.

Benefits Overview

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and holidays
• Retirement benefits (including 401(k) matching)
• Educational reimbursement
• Parental leave
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Tax‑saving options
• Disability and life insurance
• Pet insurance

Note: Benefits may vary based on employment type, location, and applicable agreements. Positions governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the McNamara‑O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA), or other employment contracts may include different provisions/benefits.

Original Posting: 11/10/2026 - Until Filled Amentum anticipates this job requisition will remain open for at least three days, with a closing date no earlier than three days after the original posting. This timeline may change based on business needs.

Amentum is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, ancestry, United States military or veteran status, color, religion, creed, marital or domestic partner status, medical condition, genetic information, national origin, citizenship status, low‑income status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please complete our Accommodation Request. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case‑by‑case basis. If you need assistance, please reach out to [e-mail] EEO including Disability/Protected Veterans Labor Laws Posters

We encourage you to check on the status of your current job applications with us. You can also search for a list of our current job openings and see if there are any new positions that might be a good fit for you. Thank you for continued interest in employment with Amentum. For more than 100 years, Amentum has tackled the world’s toughest challenges to deliver agile and steadfast solutions to the U.S. government and its allies. With more than 50,000 employees on all seven continents and in more than 60 countries, Amentum delivers a broad range of operational support services to meet the critical needs of our clients. Our headquarters are in Chantilly, VA. Find us online at https://www.amentum.com/