Materials R&D Technician

Space Exploration Technologies • Hawthorne, CA

89d • $24 - $43

About The Position

This individual will be a key team member focusing on daily lab operations to support material & process developments, failure investigations, process control validation, and more. A basic understanding of material science fundamentals is preferred, though not required. Hands-on lab experience is required. The ideal candidate is highly skilled in setting up, operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting laboratory equipment. Success in this role will require being hands-on, flexible, a quick learner, organized, detail-oriented, and having a collaborative, can-do attitude.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 1+ years of materials testing experience in a laboratory environment

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of safe work practices in an environment with furnaces, environmental chambers, saws, solvents, acids/bases, etc.
• Experience with painting applications, equipment, and lab best practices
• Understanding of basic materials science fundamentals
• Positive attitude and experience working on a cross-functional team
• Experience setting up and running tests and experiments
• Maintaining rigorous attention to detail when executing test instructions
• Strong computer skills including experience with Microsoft Office suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook), Atlassian JIRA, and work order systems
• Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills to work closely with engineering group
• Ability to read and understand test specifications
• Strong organizational skills to keep work area tidy and organize workflow
• Creative approach to problem solving, with willingness to learn and try new things
• Experience using various types of hand tools and/or power tools

Responsibilities

• Process composite test requests (including mold preparation, lamination, bagging, thermocouples, and vacuum connections); requests must be completed with rigorous attention to detail, accuracy, precision, and efficiency
• Prepare and fabricate test coupons, involving, but not limited to, epoxies, silicones, paints, composites, and thermal protection materials
• Setup and operate hot bond composite repair systems
• Execute vacuum bag processing, bonding, and oven/autoclave curing
• Run and maintain cure ovens and temperature loggers
• Operate machining equipment, mills, routers, lathes, and grinders (preferably CNC program capable)
• Perform sample preparation of material specimens, as required by the test requests; preparation may involve machining, use of ovens for polymer cures, epoxy mounting, chemical etching, painting applications, mechanical polishing, etc.
• Support maintenance and calibration needs of the lab instrumentation
• Summarize data and document results in an organized and thorough manner; be prepared to provide a basic interpretation of results to requestors and flag off-nominal results for engineering review
• Manage lab backlog and ensure requests are performed relative to program priorities
• Maintain safe and efficient operations by enforcing proper workflow, safety, cleanliness, organization and inventory control of lab consumables
• Champion larger-scale lab improvement initiatives while continuing to complete day-to-day test requests
• Promote 5S principles of organizing and sustaining a clean, tidy workspace
• Work creatively and innovate to support team goals; always be prepared to challenge the status quo and develop unique solutions

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
• Access to a 401(k) retirement plan
• Short and long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Various other discounts and perks
• 3 weeks of paid vacation
• 10 or more paid holidays per year
• Paid sick leave

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Transportation Equipment Manufacturing
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees