Associate, Research - Advanced Materials

Vorbeck • Columbia, MD

2h • $70,000 - $90,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Vorbeck is seeking an Associate, Research - Advanced Materials to join our team in Columbia, Maryland. This position will support the development of Vorbeck’s advanced materials and radio frequency technologies, with work ranging from materials research and testing to antenna fabrication and prototype development. We are looking for someone with a strong scientific foundation who enjoys hands-on research and solving technical problems. The role will involve preparing and testing materials, conducting experiments, analyzing results, screen printing antennas, and supporting prototype development. This individual will work closely with our materials, RF, and product development teams to help understand how materials and processing methods impact the performance of Vorbeck’s technologies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related technical field required.
• Hands-on research experience through academic research, undergraduate or graduate research, internships, laboratory work, or industry experience.
• Experience working with materials, electronic components, fabrication, prototyping, or experimental equipment.
• Curious and technically minded, with a strong interest in understanding how and why materials and processes perform the way they do.
• Self-motivated and dependable, with a willingness to take ownership of assigned work and follow projects through to completion.
• Strong scientific, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to design and conduct experiments, analyze results, and determine appropriate next steps.
• Comfortable preparing materials, building samples and prototypes, and working with research and testing equipment.
• Ability to connect material properties and processing conditions with experimental and product performance.
• Comfortable learning new equipment, materials, fabrication methods, and technical concepts.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate, reproducible research records.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with scientists, engineers, and other technical team members.
• Must be eligible to obtain a U.S. government security clearance.
• Must be United States citizens.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced coursework or research experience in materials, applied physics, chemistry, electronics, or a related area strongly preferred.
• Master's degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field is preferred.
• Experience working with advanced materials, conductive materials, coatings, composites, printed electronics, graphene, or materials characterization is preferred.
• Experience with antenna fabrication, screen printing, 3D printing, printed circuit board development, or related technologies is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and evaluate graphene, conductive inks, coatings, substrates, composites, and other advanced materials used in Vorbeck technologies.
• Design and conduct experiments to understand how material properties, formulations, processing conditions, and fabrication methods affect performance.
• Analyze experimental data, identify trends, and use findings to guide further research and development.
• Investigate technical challenges involving materials and processing and recommend approaches for testing and development.
• Fabricate antennas and RF components using screen printing and other printing or fabrication methods.
• Build and modify samples, prototypes, fixtures, and test setups using 3D printing and other fabrication equipment as needed.
• Work with RF engineers to translate materials research and antenna designs into physical prototypes for testing and evaluation.
• Plan and conduct materials, RF, and antenna experiments, including sample preparation, experimental setup, measurement, and data collection.
• Evaluate relationships between material properties, processing methods, fabrication techniques, and device performance.
• Troubleshoot materials, fabrication, and testing challenges and determine appropriate next steps.
• Maintain organized records of experiments, material formulations, fabrication methods, test conditions, results, and conclusions.
• Research new materials, processes, equipment, and testing methods to support technical development.
• Summarize findings and communicate results to R&D, Product Development, RF, and other members of the technical team.
• Collaborate with R&D, RF Engineering, and Product Development on research and product development projects.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support research, engineering, product development, and organizational needs.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) Program
• Vacation, Personal Time, and 10 Paid Holidays
• Company-sponsored Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and Life Insurance
• Opportunity for Relocation Assistance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level