Associate Materials Researcher

Overview

Do you love to invent and explore new materials to tackle unique challenges? Are you driven to pursue meaningful manufacturing research that supports defense, energy, and space applications? Do you thrive in collaborative, hands‑on environments that value innovation and impact? If so, we’re looking for someone like you to join our team at APL!

We are seeking an Associate Materials Researcher to help design, synthesize, and characterize advanced materials—including those produced via additive manufacturing, powder processing, and other emerging techniques. In this role you will be part of a multidisciplinary team focused on developing solutions to pressing materials problems in national security and beyond. You will gain hands‑on experience with fabrication and testing methods, contribute to project execution, and grow into an independent technical leader.

Our group emphasizes collaborative innovation and supports career development through mentorship, proposal development, and access to powerful facilities.

• Support experimental research programs through hands‑on materials synthesis, processing, and characterization.
• Contribute to the development and discovery of advanced materials, including but not limited to metals, ceramics, and composites.
• Collaborate with senior researchers to explore new concepts and refine manufacturing approaches.
• Participate in data collection, analysis, and reporting to internal and external collaborators.
• Maintain strong lab practices, safety protocols, and high‑quality documentation of experimental workflows.

• Possess a Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science & Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field.
• Have 4+ years of relevant experience in materials research, including processing and characterization.
• Demonstrate a foundational understanding of how processing influences microstructure and material performance.
• Be comfortable working in laboratory environments, eager to develop hands‑on skills with synthesis and test equipment, and able to communicate effectively in both written and verbal forms while collaborating on cross‑disciplinary teams.
• Be able to obtain a Secret level security clearance; eligibility requires U.S. citizenship.

• Experience with additive manufacturing or powder metallurgy processes.
• Familiarity with ceramics or functional composite systems in addition to structural metals.
• Support of development or qualification efforts involving mechanical or thermal materials testing.
• Interest in applying machine learning or data science to accelerate materials discovery and process optimization.

APL offers a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where employees can bring their authentic selves to work, grow professionally, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates. Benefits include a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work‑life balance. Compensation ranges from $85,000 to $195,000 annually, with additional incentives such as bonuses, relocation benefits, locality allowance, and discretionary payments for exceptional performance.

APL provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short‑term disability, long‑term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities.

$85,000 Annually – $195,000 Annually