Materials Test Engineer

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This position has been aligned with Aerodyne Industries.  To learn more, click here

This position is for an early career Materials Test Engineer to perform materials characterization testing in hydrogen to support the Space Launch System (SLS) vehicle. The role requires direct operation of test equipment, oversight of complex test setups, and execution of test campaigns. Work will take place at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center’s Hydrogen Test Facility.

Position responsibilities include:

• Maintain a focus on safety by completing training, wearing personal protective equipment (safety shoes, safety glasses, lab coats, etc.) as required and following procedures to ensure the safety of every employee and the facility.

·        Plan and conduct hands-on mechanical testing including fatigue, fracture mechanics, and monotonic tensile/compression tests.

·        Operate servo-hydraulic and electromechanical test systems in compliance with ASTM, NASA, and aerospace standards.

·        Design test fixtures, grips, and specimens.

·        Prepare test plans, test matrices, and schedules to support qualification and certification programs.

·        Apply analytical or numerical methods to predict time-dependent crack growth under cyclic and sustained loading.

·        Determine crack growth rates, fatigue thresholds, and critical stress intensity factors.

·        Perform strain gage instrumentation, alignment, calibration, and data acquisition setup.

·        Conduct testing in extreme environments such as elevated temperatures, liquid nitrogen, liquid hydrogen, and high-pressure gas systems.

·        Analyze fracture, fatigue, and monotonic test data, including crack growth rates, stress intensity factors, and failure modes.

·        Reduce raw test data into engineering properties and prepare formal test reports for internal and external customers.

·        Support durability and damage tolerance assessments using analytical or numerical fracture mechanics methods.

·        Collaborate with technicians and multidisciplinary engineering teams to ensure safe and efficient laboratory operations.

The Amentum Space Exploration Division (ASED) offers a partnership in which you can grow personally and professionally within a framework of strong leadership, competitive compensation, and rewarding career paths. Come join our team on the ESSCA contract whose work is destined to have a long-range effect on future generations!

Qualifications

Proof of U.S. Citizenship is required. 

Education and Experience

A bachelor’s degree in materials engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field from an ABET-accredited university is required. The selected candidate must also have at least 10 years of relevant experience.

Required Knowledge and Capabilities

• Strong knowledge of materials science and engineering principles.
• Strong organizational skills, with a demonstrated ability to coordinate and manage multiple projects simultaneously through completion.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with technicians and engineers and recommend improvements to testing, processing, operations, and safety.
• Proficiency with computers and relevant software used to collect, store, retrieve, and analyze data and to communicate results through reports.
• Capable of providing clear verbal and written communication of work progress, test status, results, problems, and proposed actions to engineers, customers, and government representatives.
• Ability to provide thorough documentation of findings and actions.

A highly qualified candidate will have some or all of the following experience:

• Materials characterization testing and data analysis for methods including tensile, fatigue, fracture and fatigue crack growth.

• Design and installation of electrical instrumentation and wiring.
• Design and installation of liquid and gas plumbing systems.
• Design and installation of hydraulic systems.
• Design of components and assemblies using CAD.

Essential Functions

Work Environment

It is expected that work will be performed on-site at MSFC at the Hydrogen Test Facility in an outside lab environment (25%), an inside lab environment (45%) and an office environment (30%). Requires the ability to provide clear, concise, accurate and timely communication, both verbally and in writing. Requires the ability to interact professionally with co-workers, management, and clients. Travel within the domestic USA may be required, but infrequent (<2%).

Physical Requirements

Requires standing, walking, lifting up to 40 lbs and using hand/power tools to perform testing and maintenance operations (50%). Requires sitting for extended periods of time at a desk to perform training, review engineering directions and operating procedures, set up test controllers, monitor tests, record data and perform other job-related tasks (35%). Requires sitting for extended periods of time in meetings with peers, management, and with our client at NASA facilities to discuss technical issues (10%). Requires walking and using stairs or elevators for access between floors and multiple buildings at NASA facilities (5%).

Equipment and Machines

Requires the ability to operate materials testing equipment (computers, test controllers, servo-hydraulic test machines, hydraulic pumps, compressors, facility controls, etc.), personal computer, telephone, copier, calculator, and other general office and laboratory equipment.

Attendance

The normal workday is from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm but may change depending on testing needs. Minimal paid overtime may be required to meet schedule milestones and to support technical demands of the job. Regular attendance is a necessity and adequate arrangements for delegating duties during absences are required.

Other Essential Functions

The ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and to make rational decisions, and to exercise good judgment is essential. Grooming and dress must be appropriate for the position and must not impose a safety risk/hazard to the employee or others.

Amentum is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. Amentum is a background screening, drug-free workplace.

#ESSCA #ASED #amentum

Compensation Details:

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The compensation range or hourly rate listed for this position is provided as a good-faith estimate of what the company intends to offer for this role at the time this posting was issued. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as job responsibilities, education, experience, skills, internal equity, market data, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and relevant laws.

Benefits Overview:

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to support you and your priorities. Offerings include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance

• Paid time off and holidays

• Retirement benefits (including 401(k) matching)

• Educational reimbursement

• Parental leave

• Employee stock purchase plan

• Tax-saving options

• Disability and life insurance

• Pet insurance

Note: Benefits may vary based on employment type, location, and applicable agreements. Positions governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA), or other employment contracts may include different provisions/benefits.

Original Posting:

11/10/2026 - Until Filled

Amentum anticipates this job requisition will remain open for at least three days, with a closing date no earlier than three days after the original posting. This timeline may change based on business needs.

Amentum is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, ancestry, United States military or veteran status, color, religion, creed,  marital or domestic partner status, medical condition, genetic information, national origin, citizenship status, low-income status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law. Learn more about your rights under Federal laws and supplemental language at Labor Laws Posters.