MATERIALS & PROCESS ENGINEERING INTERN

CCAM • Disputanta, VA

83d

About The Position

The Materials & Process Engineering Intern will support CCAM’s research programs. Interns will help to ensure that projects are delivered on time, on budget, and with a high standard of quality. In this position, you will gain more in-depth understanding of Surface Engineering, Thermal Spray Coating & Materials Research, support new and ongoing thermal spray-coating process development, and be exposed to Atmospheric Plasma Spray (APS) manufacturing process for aerospace applications. You will provide material quality feedback for additive manufacturing & surface engineering processes and understand materials’ microstructure and its impact on properties and performance. Additionally, you will prepare and characterize materials research specimens, perform metallography preparation and characterization techniques, and assist in various analyses including optical & scanning electron microscopy, computed tomography, and surface roughness assessments. You will build expertise in technical data reporting, collect and analyze experimental data, compile presentations of experimental results, and create written documentation of techniques used & work methods. Collaboration with researchers and interfacing with industry & government partners for technical collaboration and project status communications will also be part of your responsibilities.

Requirements

• At least two years of academic credit completed in a scientific or engineering degree at an accredited university.
• Rising Junior, Senior, or Graduate student.
• Academic Major or Area of Focus: Materials Science and Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Manufacturing Engineering; Industrial Engineering.
• Completed Coursework: Physics I with Lab or Engineering I with Lab; Physics II with Lab or Engineering II with Lab; Technical Writing or Technical Communication; Introductory Engineering Discipline Course.
• Minimum familiarity with Metallography, Microscopy Experience, Data Collection & Analysis, Additive Manufacturing, Surface Engineering / Coatings, Machining.
• Proficient in Excel; familiarity with Python is a plus.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to work independently towards an established goal without continuous oversight or assistance.
• Quickly grasp key concepts needed to attack difficult engineering and manufacturing problems.
• Maintain a positive, team-first mentality.
• Take ownership of projects.
• Passion for development and application of scientific principles.
• Innovative, creative, technically complicated problem solving.
• Willingness to work outside of your comfort zone.
• Enjoy having fun while learning new things.

Responsibilities

• Gain more in-depth understanding of Surface Engineering, Thermal Spray Coating & Materials Research.
• Support new and ongoing thermal spray-coating process development.
• Exposure to Atmospheric Plasma Spray (APS) manufacturing process for aerospace applications.
• Provide material quality feedback for additive manufacturing & surface engineering processes.
• Prepare and characterize materials research specimens.
• Perform metallography preparation and characterization techniques.
• Conduct specimen mounting, cross-sectioning, and polishing to reveal materials’ microstructure for inspection.
• Utilize optical & scanning electron microscopy for microstructure imaging and elemental analysis.
• Assist in microstructure assessment of metal alloys and ceramic coatings.
• Provide assistance in Computed Tomography (CT) analysis for internal porosity and cracking.
• Conduct mass and thickness measurements of various materials and coatings.
• Assess surface roughness and morphology using profilometry and confocal microscopy.
• Build expertise in technical data reporting.
• Collect and analyze experimental data.
• Compile presentations of experimental results.
• Perform scientific literature reviews on research topics.
• Create written documentation of techniques used & work methods.
• Work collaboratively with researchers.
• Stay up to date with the latest developments in manufacturing technologies.
• Interface with industry & government partners for technical collaboration and project status communications.
• Conduct and assist in manufacturing data analysis.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees