Materials Engineer

Job Overview

The AFRL Materials and Manufacturing Directorate seeks to hire a motivated and experienced mid-level High Temperature Composites Engineer to serve as a Materials Engineer in the Propulsion, Structures and Manufacturing Enterprise Branch of the Manufacturing and Industrial Technologies Division.  This position will be filled at the DR-II (GS-12/13 equivalent) or DR-III (GS-14 equivalent) level and is located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH.  This posting closes on 30 July 2021. 

 

Position duties include, but are not limited to:

• Maintain awareness of AF needs for manufacturing technology development via collaboration with technology developers and stakeholders in the area of very high temperature (HT) composites for aircraft and spacecraft.  HT composites include materials such as oxide-oxide, carbon-carbon, ceramic matrix, and ultra-high temperature ceramic composites.
• Develop and lead technical projects, usually with industry partners, that will satisfy AF requirements and will transition technology to AF hypersonic and other high temperature systems.
• Write proposals and give presentations to obtain funding for necessary technical projects related to design, fabrication, assembly, nondestructive evaluation/inspection, certification, and sustainment of hypersonic and high temperature structures.
• Execute project management including preparation of project documentation, contract initiation, planning and conducting program reviews, providing technical and management direction to contractor teams, conducting risk and manufacturing readiness assessments, tracking of financial expenditures, coordination with external organizations and customers as necessary.
• Coordinate with stakeholders, other services, and potential users to determine if projects funded by external sources will meet AF requirements.
• Provide findings and results in written and presentation formats to various stakeholders.
• Provide expertise required to transition developing Manufacturing Technology to Air Force Weapon Systems.

Required Qualifications

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance (for new hires); Possess and maintain a Secret security clearance (for current employees)
• This is an Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) position requiring Level II (DR-II) or Level III (DR-III) certification in the Science and Technology Manager (STM) functional stall.  A 3-year tenure agreement may be required (DR-III).  Applicants must list all completed APDP certifications on resume.  Selectee will have 24 months to meet the APDP certification requirements of the position

• Possess a professional science or engineering (S&E) degree, in a relevant technical field, from an accredited (or ABET accredited for engineering) academic institution

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related degree
• Master’s Degree or higher in a related field
• Proven ability to solve problems in HT composites production or engineering demonstrated by publication of papers in the field
• 6+ years of experience in HT composites research, development, and/or manufacturing related to aerospace applications
• Knowledgeable in all aspects of HT composites manufacturing, including post-processes such as machining, coating, bonding, testing, etc.
• Experience managing technical, schedule and financial aspects of a project
• Demonstrated ability to transition technologies to industrial users
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal
• Evidence of ability to use personal analytical skills and also to collaborate to solve complex engineering problems
• Evidence of mentoring and leadership skills

Series

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