Mechanical Test Engineer - Materials Testing

The Test Facilities Operation, Maintenance and Engineering (TFOME) team at the NASA Glenn Research Center provides engineering and technical services in the areas of aeropropulsion and space propulsion and power test facilities.  TFOME management is dedicated to excellence in service and to providing outstanding technical opportunities for our employees.  We specialize in providing unique products and services to NASA Glenn.  We are currently seeking a candidate to join our team that will be providing facility and test mechanical/materials engineering support as part of the TFOME contract at the NASA Glenn Research Center.

FUNCTION OF POSITION

Provides Engineering support and leadership in the planning, design, and technical execution of mechanical engineering/technical tasks for an assigned test or facility project at a test facility.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provides technical expertise to the users of the ground test facilities in planning test projects to insure proper match of facility requirements with capabilities, balance of resources, and integration of schedules.

2. Provide overall project management for an assigned test project including developing detailed project plan and project schedule with task list, durations and assignment of resources. When given the assignment as the lead project engineer, the engineer has the responsibility for the overall execution of the project plan.

3. Support small scale material testing projects, including design of mechanical systems and or test hardware, oversight of mechanical hardware fabrication, oversight of system and hardware installation, pressure systems, data analysis, instrumentation specifications, and final report generation. Test projects cover a wide variety of test types in many facilities including 3D printing of common and exotic material, tensile testing, heat treating.

4. Work with manufacturers of specialty testing equipment for the development of new testing equipment as well as maintenance, or modifications to existing equipment supporting new technology development.

5. Installation, design, build-up, and operation of specialty research equipment for material research, i.e. calorimeters, heat treat ovens, vapor deposition equipment (PVD CVD).

6. Coordinates with Electrical Test Engineering and data and instrumentation lead and technicians to prepare facility to meet test and operational requirements.

7. Prepares documentation supporting facility development efforts.

8. Prepares specifications and purchase requisitions for facility hardware.

9. Provides support for training of other engineers and technicians.

10. Develops presentations, and presents at design reviews, safety reviews, and other technical presentations.

11. Provide periodic status reports on each assigned task to contractor and customer management.

12. Conduct design of experiments and experimental error analyses.

13. Responsible for the calibration of test facilities, hardware, and instrumentation.

• Must have a B.S. degree or higher in Mechanical or Materials Engineering.
  
  
• Must have a minimum of 8-10 years’ experience operating in small labs while overseeing a multitude of projects simultaneously.

• Experience in vacuum, cryogenic, pressure systems are required.
  
  
• Experience with PC and MS products.
  
  
• A strong eye towards safety is essential.

• Strong project, time management, communication skills (verbal and written), and the ability to work effectively in both team and solo environments are essential.

• Due to the nature of the testing, some shift and/or weekend work will occasionally need to be accommodated.