Material Test Engineer (SME1

Create Your Career:
Grow With Us
Your growth matters to us—that’s why we offer a variety of ways for you to develop your career. With professional and leadership development opportunities like Team Lead Academy, education reimbursement, mentoring, and company sponsored networking events, you can take control of your own career path on your own terms with a company that believes in you.

A Place Where You Belong
People are at the heart of our business. We reflect a diversity of cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. We expect our people, clients, and partners to treat one another with dignity and respect. This means promoting inclusion, celebrating diversity, and appreciating the differences we all bring to our workplace.

Support Your Well-Being
Our comprehensive benefits package includes wellness programs, 11 paid holidays, paid time off, employee perks and much more.  With these benefits, plus the option for flexible schedules and possible remote a few days a week (depending on customer requirements) we’ll support you as you pursue a balanced, fulfilling life—at work and at home.

Overview:

• Perform testing for planned materials used in space nuclear reactors for long duration deep space mission.

• Conduct tests and processing post test data & analyses.

• Generate peer reviewed white papers on test results for AIAA and/or JANNAF Conferences.

• Perform systems level analysis needed to validate test readiness.

• Review analysis and test results associated with materials development used in nuclear propulsion designs.

• Maintain training on-site and off-site and keep up to date within contract compliance requirements.

• Design and implement laboratory-scale plumbing for high and low pressures gaseous systems.

• Model and wire breadboard-scale through network-scale communications.

• Program microprocessor devices using Arduino or Raspberry Pi.

• Model and wire facilities power interfaces. 

• Program and integrate custom laboratory devices using LabVIEW and MATLAB.

Degree in Aerospace, Mechanical or Nuclear engineering or related engineering field is required. Degree from an ABET-accredited university is preferred. Typically, educational requirements are the equivalent of a

• Ph.D., with minimum of 14 years of experience,
• MS with at least 18 years of experience, or
• BS with at least 20-25 years of experience.

Skills and experience should demonstrate:

• Ability to attain a security clearance through the Department of Defense if needed later.

• Cursory electronics background (e.g., circuit building, avionics for spacecraft).

• Basic knowledge of electric propulsion concepts.

• Hands-on experience with space propulsion research and development.

• Some knowledge of small pressure fed thrusters (using green propellants).

• Hardware Interfaces – can review a schematic and know what we’re trying to accomplish and implement.

• Knowledge of nuclear types of fuels and reactors commonly used in such engines.

• Basic working knowledge of cryogens and fuels.

• Experience writing test plans and implementation of them into final test products.

• Hands-on experience with laboratory pressure systems tubing, gauges, valves, and fittings.

• Working knowledge of vacuum chambers and large volume air tanks.

• Proficiency with off-the-shelf data acquisition instruments such as National Instruments, Omega, Fluke, or Eaton.

• Must be a US Citizen and have a STAR ID