Materials Science Engineer – Aerospace Coatings & Paint Laboratory

Moseley Technical Services, Inc.; Auburn (WA); On-site; USD 88,166 - 108,830; Full time

Job summary

Moseley Technical Services, Inc. is hiring a Materials Science Engineer – Aerospace Coatings & Paint Laboratory in Auburn, WA.

The role develops and qualifies aerospace coating formulations, tests application processes, and conducts materials testing to ensure durable, compliant finishes. You will perform lab testing, qualification activities, failure analyses, and supplier material evaluations, using ASTM methods and corrosion testing, collaborating with cross-functional teams to resolve

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering; typically 5+ years' experience or Master's/PhD with related experience.
• Hands-on experience with coatings formulation and paint systems.
• Experience with ASTM test methods and corrosion testing.
• Ability to prepare technical documentation and lab reports.

Responsibilities

• Develop, evaluate, qualify, and optimize aerospace coating and paint formulations for production applications.
• Design, execute, and document laboratory testing to validate coating performance and regulatory compliance.
• Perform coatings characterization and root cause analyses to resolve issues.
• Evaluate supplier materials and coating systems to improve quality and cost.
• Develop, validate, and maintain coating application processes and standard test methods.
• Conduct coating performance testing including salt spray, adhesion, gloss, abrasion, weathering, and corrosion resistance.

Skills

Coatings formulation

Paint systems

Materials characterization

Laboratory testing

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Spectrophotometer

Glossmeter

Salt spray chamber

QUV/weathering equipment

Job description

Check out this new opportunity!

Materials Science Engineer – Aerospace Coatings & Paint Laboratory

Auburn, WA

$63.45 - $79.32/Hour

U.S. Citizenship is required by Federal Law

We are hiring a Materials Science Engineer – Aerospace Coatings & Paint Laboratory to develop, qualify, and support aerospace coating formulations, paint application processes, and materials testing for durable, compliant, and cost-effective surface finishes. This role supports laboratory testing, coatings qualification, failure analysis, supplier material evaluations, production support, and continuous improvement while utilizing ASTM test methods, corrosion testing, materials characterization, and aerospace coatings expertise.

Responsibilities:

• Develop, evaluate, qualify, and optimize aerospace coating and paint formulations for production applications.
• Design, execute, and document laboratory testing to validate coating performance, durability, and regulatory compliance.
• Perform coatings characterization, failure investigations, and root cause analyses to resolve product and manufacturing issues.
• Evaluate supplier materials, coating systems, and alternative technologies to improve quality, reliability, and cost.
• Develop, validate, and maintain coating application processes, laboratory procedures, and standardized test methods.
• Conduct and interpret coating performance testing including salt spray, adhesion, gloss, abrasion, weathering, hardness, and corrosion resistance evaluations.
• Support manufacturing, production scale-up, process transfers, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, quality, suppliers, and cross-functional teams to resolve materials-related issues.
• Prepare technical reports, laboratory documentation, qualification data, and engineering recommendations.
• Ensure compliance with applicable aerospace, ASTM, environmental, and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and typically 5 or more years' experience in an engineering classification or a Master's degree with typically 3 or more years' experience in an engineering classification or a PhD degree with experience in an engineering classification
• Hands-on experience with coatings formulation, paint systems, materials characterization, laboratory testing, or surface engineering
• Experience performing and interpreting coating performance tests including: Salt spray (corrosion) Adhesion testing Gloss measurements Abrasion resistance
• Experience supporting coating qualification, laboratory investigations, or production-related materials engineering activities.
• Ability to prepare technical documentation, laboratory reports, and engineering recommendations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with surface pretreatment technologies including conversion coatings, phosphate coatings, electrocoat (E-coat), powder coatings, or chromate alternative systems.
• Knowledge of ASTM standards and environmental or regulatory compliance requirements related to industrial and aerospace coatings.
• Experience using laboratory instrumentation including: Spectrophotometer Glossmeter Salt spray chamber QUV/weathering equipment Cross-hatch adhesion tools Pull-off adhesion testers Hardness testing equipment
• Experience supporting manufacturing, production launch, process transfer, or production engineering environments.
• Bachelor's degree with typically 5+ years of engineering experience, Master's degree with typically 3+ years of engineering experience, or PhD with engineering experience.

Moseley Technical Services, Inc. is an AA/EEO/Veterans/Disabled Employer.

What to Expect

• Applicants selected for employment will be required to pass a pre-employment drug screening and background investigation, which may include education, criminal, and work history verifications.
• Accepted applicants will be eligible for benefits, including medical and supplemental insurance, and a 401(k) plan. Appreciation and gratitude for employees are hallmarks of organizations with low turnover.
• Final position level and pay will be based on experience.

Moseley Technical Services, Inc. (Moseley) was incorporated in 1994 to provide engineering and professional services to the aerospace/defense, manufacturing, government, and commercial industries. Our Mission is to deliver superior service to our customers and employees. We have been successful in our vision by building long-term relationships with customers and employees through integrity, transparency, and appreciation.

We stand by our 30-year-old commitment of “World Class Service. World Class Company.”