Materials & Processes Engineer

Mclaurin Aerospace • Houston, TX

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Mclaurin is hiring a Materials & Processes Engineer for its JETS II contract team at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The role supports NASA’s deep-space exploration work by reviewing project and program documentation, specifications, and engineering drawings to ensure materials and processes (M&P) requirements are met for spaceflight hardware. The engineer provides guidance on M&P requirements for intravehicular and extravehicular environments, including materials selection, process control and qualification, corrosion prevention, electrical bonding, flammability, toxic off-gassing, and process specifications.

The position also supports M&P tasking such as preparing Materials Usage Agreements and Materials Identification and Usage Lists, oxygen compatibility assessments, and reviews of engineering drawings and test plans. The engineer contributes to program and project specifications, evaluates vendor processes against requirements, recommends qualification and acceptance testing, and provides inspection and manufacturing process support for human spaceflight systems. Other duties may be assigned.

The role is posted at multiple levels, and candidates may be considered at a level appropriate to their experience, qualifications, and business needs. A bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant engineering field and related materials-and-processes experience are expected. U.S. citizenship and the ability to pass a comprehensive security background investigation are required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering, such as Metallurgy, Materials Science, Chemical, Mechanical, or Aerospace Engineering.
• Typically, a bachelor’s degree in Engineering and 2–5 years of experience in the field or a related area; the qualifications also state 5 or more years of related materials and processes work experience.
• Knowledge of materials and processes for space applications, including metallic and nonmetallic materials selection, corrosion prevention, electrical bonding, failure analysis, heat treatment, adhesive bonding, and contamination control.
• Knowledge of metallurgy, including aluminum and titanium alloys, stainless steels, and nickel-based alloys.
• Familiarity with contamination-control requirements and verification methods for space hardware.
• Familiarity with metallic and nonmetallic materials specifications, properties, and testing.
• Knowledge of engineering drawing review for materials and processes.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to critically assess manufacturing and materials processes and designs.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently in a multidisciplinary field.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to pass a comprehensive security background investigation.

Nice To Haves

• 15 or more years of direct metallurgy experience, including heat treatment, corrosion control, additive manufacturing, welding, or failure analysis.
• Knowledge of industry standards for materials specifications and data analysis, including MMPDS, AMS, NAS, and MIL.
• Experience with material selection for electrical components, corrosion prevention, flammability prevention, oxygen compatibility, process qualification, contamination control, development, test, and evaluation for NASA and/or crewed spacecraft projects.
• Knowledge of contamination control and molecular outgassing testing and qualification for aerospace applications.
• Previous experience working in a precision cleaning laboratory or facility.
• Previous experience with human spaceflight system engineering and integration practices.
• Experience implementing system requirements into hardware design and development.

Responsibilities

• Review project and program documentation, specifications, and engineering drawings to ensure materials and processes requirements are met for spaceflight hardware.
• Advise, guide, and consult on M&P requirements for intravehicular and extravehicular environments, including materials selection, process control and qualification, corrosion prevention, electrical bonding, flammability, toxic off-gassing, and process specifications.
• Support M&P tasks, including preparing Materials Usage Agreements (MUAs) and Materials Identification and Usage Lists (MIULs), conducting oxygen compatibility assessments, and reviewing engineering drawings and testing plans.
• Provide input to program and project specifications and ensure appropriate materials requirements are incorporated at the appropriate level.
• Assess whether standard vendor processes meet requirements and define necessary changes when they do not.
• Recommend qualification and acceptance testing to vendors to verify requirements.
• Provide inspection and manufacturing process support for human spaceflight systems.
• Perform other duties as required.

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Positive work-life balance
• Employer-paid medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death and dismemberment, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance
• 11 paid holidays annually
• Generous paid time off
• 401(k) after 12 months of service with employer match
• Education assistance
• Relocation assistance, if applicable

What This Job Offers

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