Nondestructive Evaluation Scientist

Job Summary 

The Aerospace Physical Sciences Laboratories (PSL) is a diverse scientific organization that provides a broad and innovative research and development backplane for a growing space enterprise.  PSL’s impact is grown through a diverse research portfolio that blends foundational scientific research with cutting-edge technology development to serve a broad customer base. PSL’s exclusive ability to work with all stakeholders: (government, industry, and academia) enables us to provide novel solutions to the most challenging issues in current and future technology applications. The strength of PSL comes from the combination of cutting-edge tools and facilities, a vast repository of space-system knowledge, and the extensive technical expertise of our people. We harness these tools and expertise in over 150 different laboratories to tackle the new challenges for the space enterprise.   

The Materials Science Department within the Space Materials Laboratory is seeking a well-qualified, experienced individual with a strong foundation in materials physics and nondestructive evaluation (NDE), which focuses on techniques such as X-ray radiography, ultrasonic testing, eddy current measurements, thermography, shearography.

As a Senior Member of Technical Staff – Materials Science or a Research Scientist - Materials Science, you will work alongside the section’s research and customer program support activities are well-established and supported by highly trained and accomplished staff.  You will need to have In-depth knowledge at least one of the nondestructive evaluation techniques and materials physics to solve challenging problems and support program failure investigations.  The candidate should also have experience with programming language to accelerate data processing and analysis. 

Work Model    

This is an on-site position based in El Segundo, CA, which requires 100% onsite work.  

What You’ll Be Doing  

• Maintain state-of-the-art skills in activities related to nondestructive evaluation  

• Facilitate and actively engage with Metals/Ceramics Section and Polymers/Composites Section colleagues on joint projects 

• Support general hardware reviews, failure investigations, materials research, field NDE activities, and develop new solution to challenging NDE need 

• Contribute directly to mission assurance of all launch vehicle and spacecraft programs under the USSF and NRO or other space programs  

• Support the launch vehicle and spacecraft programs with NDE expertise, participate in failure investigations when needed, develop appropriate NDE techniques, and have an active role in ongoing and proposed research and development efforts in the areas of NDE 

• Laboratory and field testing, as well as technical evaluations related to the inspection of launch vehicles and spacecraft 

• Develop and maintain customer relations and to provide support to USSF/NRO and other current and future customers 

• Understand customer problems and issues and turn them into tasks that can be supported by Aerospace capabilities at large, including cross Engineering Technology Group (ETG) and external company teaming. Delivers results, lead communications, and engages with impact with personnel within PSL and between organizations within ETG  

• Ability to work independently and to seek independent funding/collaboration opportunities 

• Fosters innovation by serving as principal investigator of research activities, including grant proposal writing; prepare written and oral reports of research activities and accomplishments, and present to higher management, internal colleagues, and the broader scientific community  

What You Need to be Successful  

Minimum Requirements for the Senior Member of Technical Staff – Materials Science 

• PhD degree in STEM field is required 

• A minimum of 4 or more years of applicable professional industry experience is required 

• Ability to participate in field operations is important, as are a willingness to learn and flexibility with respect to task assignment 

• Ability to apply broad thinking and to quickly understand and absorb a wide array of materials physics  

• Exceptional interpersonal communication and briefing skills along with the ability to work independently  

• Serves as effective liaison between government, Aerospace, and contractor personnel to develop and assess design and analysis criteria for mission related hardware 

• Ability to process data sets using Python, C++, MATLAB, or other programming languages 

• Willing to travel occasionally to work location or customer site/domestically/internationally approximately 25% 

• This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.  

In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for the Research Scientist – Materials Science include:  

• A minimum of 8 or more years of applicable professional industry experience is required 

• Served as principal investigator of research and development on nondestructive evaluation methods for launch or space vehicle applications  

• Authored grant proposals and served as principal investigator on externally funded research grants and commercial contracts  

• Experienced managing technical projects and cross-organizational teams  

• Superior project management and team leadership skills and experience  

How You Can Stand Out  

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:  

• 12+ years of experience in applicable professional industry experience composites fabrication 

• Supervised polymer synthesis for high temperature composites  

• Led investigations involving polymer characterization and composite trade studies, technology insertion, requirements definition to support launch vehicle programs  

• Lead change, serve as a role model, and mentor early career staff and be a true force multiplier  

• A current and active Secret or TS/SCI security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government is strongly preferred. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.