Materials Characterization Specialist II, SEM

Relativity Space•Long Beach, CA

1d•$38 - $58

About The Position

The Materials Characterization Specialist II conducts scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX/EDS) analysis for additively manufactured metals, metal joining, and other rocket manufacturing and launch hardware. The role also includes SEM fractography of mechanical test specimens, foreign object debris (FOD) and contamination analysis, and powder morphology analysis for additive powder qualification. The specialist works alongside engineers at the SEM, guiding sessions to meet their analysis needs and explaining observations. Responsibilities also include SEM sample preparation, managing requests against committed dates, documenting results, performing routine calibration checks, and carrying out first-line troubleshooting. Relativity Space’s Materials and NDE team develops, characterizes, and inspects materials and processes across the Terran R vehicle, including welding, additive manufacturing, and advanced composites. The team works across design, manufacturing, and operations to balance performance and reliability with cost, quality, and schedule.

Requirements

AS, AA, or BS in a STEM field.
4+ years of hands-on SEM and EDX/EDS experience, with SEM as the primary focus.
Comfort running the SEM alongside an engineer and explaining what is observed.
Experience maintaining a high-vacuum instrument.
Thorough documentation of images, parameters, and conditions.

Nice To Haves

Experience running EBSD scans and processing EBSD data.
Prior fractography and FOD analysis experience.
Familiarity with aerospace alloys, including high-strength aluminum, nickel, copper, and titanium.
Experience with metallographic preparation, including cutting, mounting, polishing, etching, and optical microscopy.
Exposure to additive manufacturing and metal joining, including powder bed fusion, welding, and powder characterization.

Responsibilities

Conduct SEM imaging and EDX analysis of additively manufactured metals, metal joining, and other rocket manufacturing and launch hardware.
Conduct SEM fractography of mechanical test specimens and perform FOD and contamination analysis.
Work alongside engineers at the SEM, guide sessions to address their needs, and explain observations.
Conduct SEM powder morphology analysis for additive powder qualification and prepare SEM samples.
Manage SEM requests against commit dates.
Document results, including images, parameters, and conditions.
Perform routine calibration checks and first-line troubleshooting.