Materials Technician (Mechanical Test)

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate universal testing machines to perform tensile, compression, flexural, shear, and fatigue testing across diverse material groups
• Interpret and strictly adhere to ASTM, ISO, and custom internal testing standards for aerospace applications
• Manage the end-to-end specimen preparation process, ensuring precise dimensional tolerances and surface finishes are met prior to testing
• Select, install, and align appropriate gripping and fixturing for complex test setups, including high-temperature, cryogenic, or non-standard geometries
• Record, process, and compile test data into clear, concise reports for the materials and design engineering teams
• Perform routine maintenance, calibration checks, and troubleshooting on laboratory equipment to minimize downtime
• Maintain a highly organized, safe, and efficient laboratory environment

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 3+ years of direct experience operating mechanical testing equipment in a structured laboratory environment
• Proven hands-on experience testing a broad range of material classes: metals, polymers, composites, and ceramics
• Deep functional knowledge of mechanical testing standards (e.g., ASTM E8, D3039, D638, C1161) and specimen geometry requirements
• Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to safely handle high-load testing equipment and delicate sensors (extensometers, strain gauges)
• Excellent meticulousness regarding data entry, traceability, and documentation

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or a related technical field (or equivalent combination of education and hands-on experience)
• 5+ years of demonstrated experience with prior experience working environmental mechanical testing, such as testing in cryogenic chambers, elevated temperature furnaces, or vacuum environments within in the aerospace or defense industries
• Hands-on experience with basic machining (mills, lathes, band saws) to fabricate or modify custom test fixtures on the fly
• Knowledge of advanced strain measurement techniques, including Digital Image Correlation (DIC)
• Familiarity with metallographic preparation or basic failure analysis post-testing
• Experience performing fracture toughness and fatigue crack growth rate tests

Skills

• Hands-on experience with mechanical testing equipment
• Knowledge of mechanical testing standards and specimen geometry requirements
• Ability to safely handle high-load testing equipment and delicate sensors
• Proficiency in data entry, traceability, and documentation
• Basic machining skills
• Advanced strain measurement techniques
• Fracture toughness and fatigue crack growth rate tests

Benefits

• Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data
• Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity
• In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan

Pay

• Compensation ranges from $35.00 to $40.00 per hour

Schedule

• Full-time position