SiC Composite Materials Development & Test Engineer (Space/Nuclear)

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

Job summary

Analytical Mechanics Associates, Inc. (AMA) seeks a Materials Development and Test Engineer with hands-on experience testing silicon carbide (SiC) composite materials for space nuclear propulsion applications.

The role supports NASA Langley’s Structural Mechanics and Concepts Branch in Hampton, VA, leading fabrication of SiC tubes with advanced cladding systems and hermetic containment. You will fabricate SiC test articles, perform permeability and high-temperature testing, and contribute to

Qualifications

• B.S. Degree in Aerospace Engineering or other applicable degree.
• 2 years' relevant experience in advanced composites testing.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate feasibility of hermetically sealed multipurpose SiC composite cladding geometries for nuclear fuel and moderating material containment.
• Develop and evaluate continuous towcoating 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 pretest measurements, imaging, and test result reporting.
• Provide subject-matter expertise in high-temperature composite structures for nuclear applications, including experimental work and computational modeling.
• Share characterization results (CT, SEM, XRD), prepare technical presentation materials for biweekly NASA meetings, and contribute to reporting and meetings within the continental United States.

Skills

Advanced composites testing

Filament winding

Tow coating

Permeability testing

High-temperature sealing

Materials characterization

CT

SEM

XRD

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

None

Job description

Analytical Mechanics Associates, Inc. (AMA) seeks a Materials Development and Test Engineer with hands-on experience testing silicon carbide (SiC) composite materials for space nuclear propulsion applications.

The role supports NASA Langley’s Structural Mechanics and Concepts Branch in Hampton, VA, leading fabrication of SiC tubes with advanced cladding systems and hermetic containment. You will fabricate SiC test articles, perform permeability and high-temperature testing, and contribute to