Engineering Technician, Materials Engineering

Pay Rate: $35.00-$50.00 per hour
Contract Dates: October 12, 2026 - September 10, 2027
Location:Moorestown, NJ

PDS Tech Commercial is partnering with a leader in the aviation and aerospace industry to hire a highly capable, detail-oriented Materials Characterization Lab Technician in Moorestown, New Jersey.

In this hands-on laboratory role, you'll support next-generation aerospace and defense programs by preparing materials, conducting mechanical testing, supporting advanced analytical equipment, and documenting critical test results. Your technical expertise will help engineers better understand material performance, identify potential issues, and support the reliability of sophisticated aerospace systems.

If you thrive in a laboratory environment, enjoy solving technical challenges, and take pride in precise, high-quality work, this is an opportunity to make your skills count.

Your day-to-day responsibilities will include:

• Prepare samples for analysis: Perform precise sectioning, mounting, grinding, and polishing of metal alloys, composites, and electronic assemblies for microstructural evaluation.
• Conduct metallographic acid etching as required.
• Support advanced materials characterization: Operate or support sophisticated analytical equipment used for Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermal analysis platforms, including DSC, TGA, DMA, and TMA.
• Perform mechanical testing: Conduct testing on metals, composites, elastomers, and other materials in accordance with ASTM standards and internal procedures.
• Bond strain gauges as required to support testing activities.
• Work with electronic, mechanical, electromechanical, and/or optical equipment to troubleshoot, calibrate, adjust, test, diagnose, and maintain systems and components.
• Read and work from schematics, engineering drawings, and written or verbal technical instructions
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• Capture and communicate results: Compile raw test data into technical presentations and clearly document observations and findings.
• Safely install test fixtures and subassemblies undergoing evaluation.
• Perform routine calibration and preventive maintenance on materials characterization equipment, environmental chambers, and other laboratory infrastructure.
• Make equipment adjustments, modifications, or replacements as directed while maintaining a strong focus on accuracy and laboratory safety.

To be successful in this position, you'll need:

• At least 2 years of hands-on experience working in a materials characterization or mechanical testing laboratory environment.
• Hands-on technical ability with laboratory testing, equipment operation, calibration, or maintenance.
• Ability to follow schematics, engineering drawings, technical procedures, and verbal instructions.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to accurately collect, document, and communicate technical data.
• Ability to safely work with test fixtures, subassemblies, laboratory equipment, and materials.
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.

You’ll stand out if you bring experience with:

• Evaluating and interpreting mechanical test results
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• Operating mechanical load frames, particularly Instron equipment.
• Conducting or supporting failure analysis investigations
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• Aerospace or defense laboratory environments.
• ASTM standards, aerospace/military specifications, and industry testing requirements
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• SEM, EDS, FTIR, DSC, TGA, DMA, or TMA equipment and testing techniques.
• Metallographic sample…