Senior Metallurgical Scientist  

Job Summary 

Physical Sciences Laboratories (PSL) supports the effective and timely development and operation of national security systems through scientific research and the application of advanced technologies. PSL has more than 150 specialized laboratories used to test, analyze, and troubleshoot virtually every aspect of rocket and satellite system design, development, construction, deployment, and operation. The diverse expertise of the laboratories’ technical staff allows PSL to stay abreast of new technological developments and program support issues associated with rapidly evolving space systems. 

The Materials Science Department (MSD) provides materials specific expertise to our customers and conducts unique research across metallic, ceramic, composite, and polymeric materials.  Our unique capabilities include processing, characterization, and testing of these families of materials, and we use these to provide in-depth experimental data to better inform our customers and solve the hardest problems facing the space domain. 

As the Senior Metallurgical Scientist – Materials Science, you will be the senior technical authority and principal investigator of teams and projects focused on metallic materials.  You will coordinate large-scale failure investigations, provide technical expertise on a variety of alloys, guide research portfolios, collaborate across departments both internal and external to the Aerospace labs, and mentor younger engineers and scientists.  The ideal candidate will have strong technical communication skills, as they will be a primary liaison that connects our customers to the technical data that we generate. 

Highlights of our lab's capabilities can be seen here: Virtual Tour  

Work Model  

This is a full-time position based in El Segundo, CA, which requires 100% onsite work. 

What You’ll Be Doing  

• Lead and work alongside multi-disciplinary teams to perform numerous in-depth structural materials-related root cause investigations, specifically focused on metallic materials 

• Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for metallic materials, including additive manufacturing and alloy development 

• Assess technology gaps and provide direction for process development 

• Direct research on the development of novel metallic material applications as well as science-based investigation pushing forward materials and processing technologies for space applications 

• Provide technical expertise to associate contractors and government agencies to formulate system requirements, testing procedures, and materials/processing standards 

• 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   

• Communicate with PSL managements and provide both technical and organizational leadership to guide research portfolios and laboratory capabilities in structural materials and metallurgy with respect to space technology 

• Obtain research funding, internal and external, through collaboration with national laboratories, universities, and other research organizations 

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for the Senior Metallurgical Scientist – Materials Science:

• PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related fields is required

• A minimum of (10) years of experience in materials science, with a focus on metallurgy is required

• Experience leading cross-departmental teams in root-cause metallurgical failure investigations 

• Experience in systems engineering concepts for space system development, assembly and testing throughout program life cycle 

• Familiarity with environmental and structural testing requirements for launch vehicles, upper-stage vehicles, space vehicles, and their respective sub-systems and components and understanding tailoring of requirements according to mission risk categories

• Ability to align and lead departmental research activities with US government priorities and guidance for space system acquisition 

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with senior customer leaders 

• Willingness to occasionally travel (domestically/internationally) and to work off-business hours to support customer needs, approximately 20% (as required) 

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

How You Can Stand Out 

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

• Multi-disciplinary experience across the space enterprise is strongly preferred

• Experience with a direct customer advisory role in a program office is preferred

• Experience with metallurgical issues related to fabrication and testing of propulsion components and pressurized structures and systems

• Demonstrated leadership of research portfolios and successful external collaborations 

• Technical and research excellence as demonstrated through an active publication record 

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