Composite Sample Prep Technician

AV is seeking a Composite Sample Prep Technician as a member of the Materials and Processing Team at the Air Force Research Lab located on Wright Patterson Air Force Base. This position will work closely with material scientists and mechanical engineers for the characterization of composite materials including ceramic and polymer matrix composites.

Duties includes sample prep (including griding and polishing) of composites for sample analysis for the Materials and Processing Research team. Characterization techniques includes scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and optical profilometry. Experience in composite layup fabrication is a plus. Applicants should have some comfortability working in chemical laboratory settings and industrial or manufacturing spaces. Work will primarily occur during M-F during regular business hours.

• General Laboratory Support/Housekeeping
• Preparing samples for and conducting SEM, XRD, and Optical Profilometry analysis
• Following Employee Health and Safety Requirements
• Quality control of scaled synthesized materials

• This position requires U.S. Citizenship
• B.S. in a material science mechanical engineer or an associate’s degree with 1-2 Years Experience Working in a Laboratory.
• Ability to Follow written standard operating procedures and Verbal Instructions
• Provide technical written reports
• Strong Written and Verbal Communication Skills
• Strong Time Management Skills

• Experience in sample prep and conducting SEM, XRD, and Optical Profilometry
• Composite layup experience such as hand layup, prepreg layup, and vacuum bagging is a plus.

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify U.S. person status under the ITAR and the EAR. A “U.S. person” according to their definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee, or asylee.

See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

• medical
• dental vision
• 401K with company matching
• a 9/80 work schedule
• a paid holiday shutdown

AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown.

Who We Are Based in California, Aero Vironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul Mac Cready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC.

Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty – and succeed.

What We Do Building on a history of technological innovation, Aero Vironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time,…