Composite and Polymer Systems

Job Overview

This job announcement will be accepting candidate submissions until 1700 EST on 2 July 24.  

The AFRL Materials and Manufacturing Directorate seeks to hire an enthusiastic and motivated mid-level engineer to serve as Composite and Polymer Systems process engineer in the Structural Materials Evaluation Section (RXNSR), Composite, Ceramic, Metallic and Materials Performance Division (RXN). This position will be filled at the DR-02 (GS-12-13 equivalent) or DR-03 (GS-14 equivalent) level and is located at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio. This position may be filled as a 5-year Flexible Length Renewable Technical Term Appointment (new government hires, current government term employees, etc.) with the option to later extend or convert to a permanent appointment.

NOTE:  Must use MM/DD/YYYY date format for experience entries on resume.

For resume writing tips, facts about the federal hiring process and additional resources, visit:  https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include/

Position duties include, but are not limited to:

• Responsible for providing time-urgent technical support to DAF customers and conducting, planning, and performing materials and processes laboratory research, investigations, and evaluations.
• Interacts with customers seeking support from the Composite and Polymer Systems Team through project planning, failure analysis, material & process characterization, and technology implementation support related to urgent high-profile DAF materials and processes needs. 
• Interacts with industry partners and polymer matrix composite supply chain components to leverage, develop, and transition technologies and solutions to the DAF.
• Performs quick reaction in-house physical and chemical characterization of materials and systems of materials used in aerospace applications, with emphasis on polymer matrix composite and adhesive bonding materials and processes. 
• Maintains expertise in polymer composite research, processing, product formulation, failure analysis and material characterization techniques to include currency in the operation of analytical tools, lab processing, and test capability. 
• Support mishap investigations, providing expertise and consulting on materials and processing issues, reviewing/characterizing emerging technologies, specs and standards reviews, and contract management.
• Under guidance from the Technical Lead and experienced engineers, prepares and executes in-house analysis and test plans; generates high quality test and evaluation reports; prepares and presents briefings to all levels of management, leadership, and customers; and participates in activities supporting laboratory operations. 
• Interacts with other teams in the branch for electrical, metals, mechanical systems, polymer matrix composites, polymer systems, chemical analysis, mechanical testing, and nondestructive characterization to accomplish rapid responsive research for and deliver solutions to demonstration and operational weapon systems. 
• Position may require periodic travel for aircraft mishap site evaluation, manufacturing process reviews, customer support, industry specifications/standards committees and professional societies. 

Telework

Yes, this position is eligible for situational telework; as determined by agency policy

Remote Work (CONUS)

No, this position is not approved for remote work.

Required Qualifications

• US Citizenship
• Possess a professional science or engineering (S&E) degree, in a relevant technical field, from an accredited (or ABET accredited for engineering) academic institution; if the highest earned S&E degree is a Bachelor's, the applicant must also have one year of experience at the DR-01 (GS-07-11 equivalent) level.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance. 
• This is an Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) position requiring Level II certification in the Science and Technology Manager (N) functional stall.  Applicants must list all completed APDP certifications on their resume. 
• Selectee will have 24 months to meet the APDP certification requirements for the position.
   

Desired Qualifications

• Graduate degree in materials, chemical, or mechanical engineering or in chemistry from an ABET accredited academic institution.
• Minimum of 2 years related experience in polymers, composites, materials characterization, processing, and/or additive polymeric materials mechanical systems failure analysis
• Expertise in polymer matrix composite and polymeric material system failure analysis, including the manufacture/processing of complex polymer matrix composite materials and structural adhesive bonding
• Familiarity with relevant characterization techniques and data interpretation: optical measurements; differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA), gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), and thermomechanical analyzer (TMA); various tensile and elongation configurations, compression, shear, fluid compatibility, hardness,  various peel configurations, and thermal and fluid aging techniques. 
• Strong communication skills, including written technical reports and oral presentations to technical and managerial audiences.
• Proficient in reading complex engineering drawings related to aircraft systems
• Hands-on experience with aircraft or aircraft systems
• Experience working with technical orders, industry and/or military material and test standards, and professional composite and bonding organizations

When uploading documents, please utilize the naming convention listed below.  

• Resume:  Req No_Last Name_First Name_Resume
• Transcript:  Req No_Last Name_First Name_Transcript
• Latest SF50:  Req No_Last Name_First Name_SF50
Acceptable file types:  .docx, .pdf
 

(Requisition No. 62574)

Series

0806

1320

Other