Polymer R&D Engineer Washington, District of Columbia

Precise Systems Inc.; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 78,000 - 116,000; Full time

Job summary

Precise Systems seeks a full-time team member to advance material science projects for naval applications. The role spans office, lab, and potential shipboard work, with travel to Key West, FL and Washington, DC as needed, and work governed by security requirements.

Applicants should have advanced degrees in polymer/plastics engineering or materials science, plus 3 years' experience in materials research and environmental effects, plus MATLAB and FEA skills for data analysis and modeling.

Qualifications

• 3 years' experience in materials research, environmental effects, and engineering projects
• Experience with MATLAB for data acquisition, analysis and presentation
• Understanding of polymer/plastics systems and their mechanical properties

Responsibilities

• Develop test data to support design and field performance for multi-layer materials in naval environments
• Research and communicate engineering approaches for plastics, composites, elastomers, sealants, and adhesives in seawater
• Perform mechanical testing and generate data to support ongoing research
• Develop material qualification specifications
• Use modeling, experimental, and analytical data to inform investigations
• Communicate with cross-functional teams to progress research to product delivery

Skills

FEA modeling

MATLAB

polymer science

composites

adhesion science

data analysis

mechanical testing

Education

Polymer/plastics engineering or materials science/engineering

Tools

COMSOL Multiphysics

Job description

Precise Systems delivers integrated, mission-ready solutions that advance warfighter readiness and strengthen our nation’s most critical defense programs. Through the power of our combined capabilities, we provide deep expertise in Advanced Engineering; Digital Transformation; Electromagnetic Warfare; Interactive Training & Simulation; Physical Sciences Research; Platform Lifecycle Support; and Foreign Military Sales. Unified by decades of trusted performance and expanded through strategic growth, our team applies innovative technologies, engineering rigor, and customer-focused execution to solve complex challenges and accelerate mission success. Guided by our commitment to partnership, precision, and performance, we deliver the scalable solutions and technical excellence our customers depend on—today and into the future.

Precise Systems is seeking to immediately hire a full‑time person to join a diverse, multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers to work as a project team member on specific materials, environmental effects, and engineering projects. The team includes personnel at NRL’s headquarters in Washington, DC (NRLDC), at NRL’s blue‑water test facility in Key West, FL (NRLKW), as well as off‑site personnel from other Navy facilities and collaborating companies in private industry. Work may occur in the office, the laboratory, or the field (including, potentially, shipboard work), as necessary. The job will be based in Washington, DC or Key West, Florida but regular travel to perform work at NRLKW is required.

Duties:

• Develop test data in support of setting requirements and predicting field performance for Navy applicable multi‑layer multi‑material (metallic and non‑metallic) designs of interest with a specific focus on mechanical, structural, and environmental degradation effects of polymer, composite and metallic systems
• Responsible for researching, defining, and communicating engineering approaches in order to meet relevant design gaps for use of plastics, composites, elastomers, sealants, and adhesives in the seawater environment.
• Perform mechanical testing for material property understanding, as well as produce experimental data to support ongoing research
• Develop material qualification specifications.
• Use modeling, experimental, and analytical data to inform theory‑based investigations
• Communicate and interface with cross‑functional groups, research leads, program management, technical engineering and key stakeholders with intent to successfully progress research through product delivery phase, which may include practical fleet applications and solutions.
• Demonstrated failure mode analysis, root cause investigation, and problem solving for product quality issues.

Required Education:

• Undergraduate, Masters degree or Ph.D. in polymer/plastics engineering, materials science/engineering, mechanical engineering, or chemistry.

Required Experience:

• 3 years' experience in materials research, environmental effects, and engineering projects
• Experience with finite element analysis (FEA) modeling
• Experience with MATLAB for data acquisition, analysis and presentation
• Sound knowledge and understanding of physical and mechanical properties and behavior of structural polymers, composites, and adhesives
• Understanding of polymer formulations in order to develop approaches to material screening
• Proven understanding of adhesion science concepts to include adhesive bonding, surface chemistry, and viscoelasticity
• Understanding of polymer/composite degradation and/or accelerated life testing for use in determining root‑cause mechanisms to predict lifecycle performance
• Ability to perform mechanical testing for material property understanding, as well as produce experimental data to support ongoing research
• Ability to develop material qualification specifications
• Ability to use modeling, experimental, and analytical data to inform theory‑based investigations
• Ability to communicate and interface with cross‑functional groups, research leads, program management, technical engineering and key stakeholders with intent to successfully progress research through product delivery phase, which may include practical fleet applications and solutions
• Demonstrated failure mode analysis, root‑cause investigation, and problem solving for product quality issues.

Desired Education and Experience:

• Master’s or Ph.D., or a combination of B.S. or M.S. and years of experience in polymer/plastics engineering, materials science/engineering, mechanical engineering, or chemistry.
• Experience with polymers/non‑metallics in severe exposure environments or naval applications
• Experience with structural modeling of polymers in COMSOL Multiphysics.
• Project Management- Excellent data handling, documentation, critical milestone creation, and organization skill.
• Experience with automating data acquisition and analysis in MATLAB.
• Experience with data acquisition with MATLAB.
• Former active‑duty Navy or other military service.
• Problem‑solver willing to learn new skills (in addition to apply skills already mastered).

Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance. Due to the sensitivity of customer‑related requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required.

Precise Systems values employee contributions, promotes diverse opportunities for professional growth, and prioritizes overall well‑being. Our comprehensive professional services benefits package includes health insurance, life and accidental death and dismemberment coverage, disability insurance, retirement plans, holiday pay, employee‑managed leave, and professional growth opportunities.

We recognize exceptional performance and alignment with our core values through our STAR Award recognition program.

Compensation at Precise Systems is determined by various factors, including education, experience, skills, competencies, and contract‑specific requirements. The salary range for this position is $77,571.36 - $116,357.04 (annualized USD). This range represents the standard pay for this role and is just one component of Precise Systems’ total compensation package.

Precise Systems is committed to fair and equitable pay practices in alignment with applicable pay transparency laws and equal employment opportunity standards.

Precise Systems is dedicated to a shared vision and core values of Integrity, Respect, and Responsibility, which foster innovation and drive our continued success in the global marketplace.

Precise Systems and its subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity /Affirmative Action Employers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, status as an individual with a disability, or any legally protected status under federal, state, or local law.

Precise Systems participates in E‑Verify.