Job Description

Job Title: Materials Technician

Location: North Carolina

Salary: $80k - $90k

The Research & Development team is seeking a highly motivated and knowledgeable Materials Scientist. The successful candidate will be responsible for the development, characterization, and qualification of materials for advanced manufacturing processes. This role requires a deep understanding of material science, related technologies, and the ability to drive innovation in material design and application. The ideal candidate will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to advance material capabilities and contribute to the development of next-generation manufacturing technologies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Materials Development:

  • Develop and optimize new materials for manufacturing processes, focusing on performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
  • Innovate and tailor material compositions to meet specific process requirements.
  • Conduct research on emerging materials and technologies that could benefit manufacturing applications.

• Materials Characterization:

  • Perform mechanical, thermal, and chemical characterization of materials to understand their properties and behaviors.
  • Utilize advanced analytical techniques to study microstructural evolution and its impact on material performance.
  • Analyze and interpret experimental data to guide material development and process optimization efforts.

• Materials Qualification:

  • Lead the qualification of materials for use in manufacturing processes.
  • Ensure that materials meet industry standards and specific application requirements.
  • Collaborate with quality assurance teams to validate material consistency and reliability.
  • Document and report on material qualification processes, ensuring traceability and compliance with regulatory standards.

• Process Integration:

  • Collaborate with process engineers to integrate new materials into manufacturing processes, ensuring seamless transitions and optimal performance.
  • Optimize process parameters to achieve the best material performance and part quality.
  • Address material-related issues in the production environment, providing solutions and improvements.

• Grant Proposal Writing:

  • Identify funding opportunities from governmental, non-governmental, and private sources.
  • Develop and write compelling grant proposals to secure funding for research projects.
  • Collaborate with academic and industry partners to strengthen grant applications.
  • Manage and report on the progress of funded projects, ensuring compliance with funding agency requirements.

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. or Master’s degree in Materials Science, Metallurgy, or a related field.
• Extensive experience in material development, characterization, and qualification, particularly in the context of advanced manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, such as powder bed fusion, directed energy deposition, or binder jetting.
• Proficiency in using analytical tools and techniques for material characterization (e.g., SEM, XRD, DSC, mechanical testing).
• Demonstrated ability to lead research projects and contribute to scientific publications.