Materials Engineer

Are you ready to put your hard earned engineering expertise to work supporting mission-critical Army programs? We are seeking a motivated Materials Engineer to work with senior engineers in a fast-paced program office to manage critical Soldier programs and technologies in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. In this role, you will assist in planning, organizing, and conducting exploratory, advanced, and engineering development as well as production engineering studies/programs for new and improved items for combat use under various battlefield and urban terrain conditions. The successful candidate will be highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of working independently in a dynamic environment.

As a Materials Engineer, you will be part of an integrated government team where you will support U.S. Army acquisition programs. This opportunity will allow you to grow and learn as you support a variety of programs and task areas. Join our dynamic team and bring your training, problem-solving, and coordination skills to a collaborative, mission-driven organization. We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and a supportive culture focused on professional growth and delivering meaningful results for the warfighter.

Essential Job Functions:

Assists in planning, organizing, and conducting exploratory, advanced, and engineering development as well as production engineering studies/programs for new and improved items for combat use under various battlefield and urban terrain conditions.

Incorporates knowledge of materials engineering with items of Soldier protective equipment, weapon systems, combat vehicles, and airframes, etc.

Plans design approach from statements of requirements and conducts studies for the purpose of developing new and improved products and component materials.

Interprets, defines, or creates technical drawings, specifications, and physical characteristics/properties of items as they affect the design, development, manufacture, and end-item use.

Considers the properties of various textile, chemical, plastic, ceramic, metallic and synthetic materials to assess their ability to meet military requirements as components of military equipment for production and field use.

Conducts market research and maintains currency in knowledge of civilian and military material research and production.

Recommends materials to be used in the production of prototype items on the basis of data developed and by application of knowledge and initiative, analyses complex problems involved in assignments, selects lines of approach, appropriate materials, fabricating techniques to be investigated, and designs to be investigated.

Witness and offer analysis of tests and design changes to remedy defects or to improve performance.

Reviews test plans, procedures, and reports for technical adequacy on assigned programs, for both government and contractor tests, as well as all failure reports.

Reviews and evaluates system performance against specification requirements, monitors and assesses field performance, and assesses risk of meeting user and specification requirements.

Identifies and solves design problems, the complexity of which arises from the intricacy of the item or system, the human factors involved, and the conditions under which it must be used (i.e., environment).

Determines need for laboratory and field tests. 

Develops and executes simple to complex test plans and designs of experiments and analyzes the results of tests using a variety of tools, including statistical methods.

Makes recommendations regarding suitability of materials, designs, and products for use in military equipment.

Recommends and generates related project studies, including concepts of ideas.

Reviews program management documents to ensure accuracy and adequacy of technical content.

Required Skills:

Due to the sensitivity of customer related requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required.

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or equivalent and 0+ years of relevant experience.

Must have a DOW Secret Clearance.

Ability to be a team player as well as work independently.

Strong communication and organizational skills.

Desired Skills:

Experience/understanding of materials engineering supporting blunt force injury research and prevention.