Materials & Processes Technologist II

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

1d•$99,840 - $130,312•Onsite

About The Position

The Materials & Processes Technologist II works in JPL’s Thermal, Propulsion, and Materials Engineering Section and is a member of the Materials & Processes, Testing & Development Group. The role supports materials and processing throughout hardware design, manufacture, integration, testing, and Assembly, Test and Launch Operations (ATLO), including work in JPL’s Materials Testing Laboratories service department. The position reports to the Group Supervisor. The technologist performs moderately complex materials engineering activities with minor supervision, contributes to materials development opportunities, and supports laboratory activities such as thermal vacuum testing, surface preparation, adhesive bonding, and metallography. The role partners with engineers, scientists, and other team members on test plans and engineering or fabrication requirements, and may provide work direction to other personnel or part-time students. The work calls for adaptability and sound judgment in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, or a related technical discipline, with at least 3 years of related experience; or a master’s degree in a similar discipline with at least 1 year of related experience; or a PhD in a similar discipline.
Familiarity with equipment, tools, and processes typical in a materials laboratory, such as those used for mechanical testing, metallography, microscopy, adhesive bonding, and failure analysis.
Experience writing, reviewing, or supporting science research grants and/or proposals.
Ability to communicate clearly and work in a team environment toward a common goal.
Knowledge of industry practices and standards, particularly for fabrication, qualification, and testing of materials and/or mechanical hardware.
Good working knowledge of Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and other standard office computer tools.

Nice To Haves

Relevant experience in the aerospace industry.
Active TS/SCI with POLY.
Experience testing mechanical hardware and/or materials characterization coupons, including test planning, execution, and/or data evaluation.
Experience fabricating metallography coupons and evaluating surfaces using microscopic techniques, including optical and scanning electron microscopy.
Experience with electronic circuits, strain gages, Wheatstone bridge sensors, thermocouples, linear variable differential transformers, pressure gages, and transducers.
Previous experience generating reports and/or presentations related to testing and experimentation.
Previous experience with spacecraft or scientific instrument materials or mechanical development activities.
Experience using Generative AI in technical science and engineering activities, including writing relevant prompts and evaluating outputs and sources to assess result validity.
Experience interfacing with vendors, subcontractors, or university partners developing complex hardware for space applications.
Comfort working in a dynamic environment with multiple customers.

Responsibilities

Work independently on moderately complex materials engineering activities in day-to-day assignments under minor supervision, receiving instructions on new assignments.
Research, propose, and lead the capture of new materials development opportunities.
Support materials and processing in all phases of hardware design, manufacture, integration and test, and Assembly, Test and Launch Operations (ATLO) activities.
Work in JPL’s Materials Testing Laboratories service department in a dynamic, critical development test lab environment.
Provide materials laboratory support for thermal vacuum testing, surface preparation, adhesive bonding, metallography, and other needs.
Partner with engineers to draft and execute sample testing plans.
Interface with project engineers and scientists to support collaboration between engineering and science.
Provide work direction to other personnel or part-time students, as needed.
Partner with engineers to generate engineering and fabrication requirements, as needed.
Apply judgment to relevant policies, procedures, and practices in new situations and determine appropriate action.
Consult with others and participate on teams within and outside the organization.