Fabrication Engineering Technician
About The Position
The Fabrication Engineering Technician serves as a technical specialist in metal additive manufacturing with an emphasis on Selective Laser Melting (SLM). The incumbent provides hands‑on expertise in operating, programming, and maintaining SLM systems within Langley’s advanced manufacturing laboratories. The technician works directly with research engineers, project teams, and external vendors to fabricate high‑precision aerospace components supporting mission needs in aeronautics, science, and exploration. In addition to their core responsibilities, the technician may also be called upon to assist with other tasks as needed. For instance, they might help with ceramic model fabrication, which is housed within the same additive manufacturing lab.
Requirements
- Experience operating metal additive manufacturing systems (SLM strongly preferred).
- Ability to develop machine build files, support strategies, and process parameters.
- Demonstrated understanding of metallic powder‑bed fusion materials, powder handling, and contamination control.
- Proficiency in CAD/CAM tools (e.g., NX, SolidWorks, or equivalent).
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and GD&T.
- Experience in performing mechanical or laboratory equipment maintenance.
- Strong communication and customer‑interaction skills.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with post‑processing techniques (heat treat, HIP, machining, inspection).
- Familiarity with NASA, DoD, or aerospace‑grade manufacturing standards.
- Knowledge of safety and environmental compliance in fabrication facilities.
- Ability to contribute to capital equipment procurement, installation, and acceptance testing.
Responsibilities
- Additive Manufacturing Operations (Primary) Program, set up, and operate SLM additive manufacturing systems to produce high‑quality metallic components to NASA specifications.
- Interpret CAD models, build files, and engineering drawings to develop build strategies optimized for material, geometry, and performance requirements.
- Conduct powder handling, loading, recycling, and quality management in accordance with safety and contamination‑control procedures.
- Perform machine calibration, laser alignment checks, and process parameter verification to maintain part quality and repeatability.
- Collaborate with requesters to evaluate part requirements, manufacturability, materials, and best manufacturing approaches.
- Support design reviews by providing input on additive‑specific constraints such as support structures, surface finish, tolerances, and build orientation.
- Track fabrication jobs, maintain documentation, and communicate status to customers and project leads.
- Maintain additive manufacturing laboratory facilities, including SLM machines, powder storage, inert gas systems, and post‑processing equipment.
- Develop and execute preventive maintenance schedules.
- Maintain consumable inventories and ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety (EHS) requirements consistent with facility operations guidance found in internal D204 safety and environmental PDs.
- Keep equipment configurations, logs, and calibration records up to date.
- Engage with equipment manufacturers, service providers, and suppliers to evaluate new technologies and support procurement of new additive manufacturing systems.
- Assist with development of technical specifications for acquisition, installation, and integration of new equipment into existing facility infrastructure.
- Coordinate service contracts, warranty work, and repairs.
- Conduct part removal, heat treatment coordination, support removal, machining interface setups, and surface finishing as required.
- Perform dimensional inspection, visual examination, and basic nondestructive evaluation (NDE) to verify build quality.
- Document process parameters, anomalies, part history, and build outcomes to support traceability and process improvement.
- Work in coordination with fabrication teams across machining, CNC, precision metal, and composite groups to integrate additive parts into larger assemblies, consistent with multidisciplinary fabrication workflows outlined in internal capability plans.
- Support branch activities, demonstrations, tours, and technical briefings regarding additive manufacturing capabilities.
- Provide mentorship to junior technicians and interns as assigned.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
