Manager- Materials Science

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 in the Space Materials Laboratory at The Aerospace Corporation conducts anomaly resolution, materials characterization, failure analysis, and applied research in materials science, polymer chemistry, composites fabrication, additive manufacturing, nondestructive evaluation for space applications and provides technical support to national security space programs in these areas.

MSD is seeking a new Manager – Polymers/Composites section, which focuses on failure analysis, materials characterization, mechanical testing. 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 of polymer structure-property relationships, understanding of most analytical techniques for polymer characterization, and hands-on mechanical testing experience of continuous fiber polymer matrix composites and prepreg systems. The candidate should be well versed in hands-on processing of composites, including having an understanding of key variables affecting both autoclave and vacuum only cured systems. The successful candidate will provide direction and coordination for activities of approximately 8 section members.  

Work Model  

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

What You’ll Be Doing  

• Lead Polymers/Composites Section of the Materials Science Department  

• Develop and implement R&D and program support strategies.  

• Provide guidance and justification for overhead and capital spending.  

• Recommend staffing needs to leadership and participate in hiring.  

• Oversee 8 staff career development, transfers, and terminations. Conduct performance reviews and promotional actions.   

• Facilitate and actively engage with Metals Section and Nondestructive Evaluation Section colleagues on joint projects  

• Being the technical lead with state-of-the-art skills in structure-property-performance of resins.  Leads failure investigations that will require an advanced level proficiency of mechanical testing of continuous fiber composite materials.  

• Understand the materials principles beyond stress and strain to include time and chemistry dependent phenomena such as fatigue, creep, relaxation, thermal/moisture expansion and aging of polymer and adhesives.  

• Interface with Aerospace program office and industry to develop and assess design and analysis criteria, requirements, and specifications for launch and space vehicle hardware  

• 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.  

• Fosters innovation by seeking independent funding/collaboration opportunities and 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 – Manager – Materials Science  

Minimum Requirements:  

• PhD degree in STEM field is required 

• 8 years of applicable professional and/or graduate educational experience in materials science or relevant fields is required

• Strong working knowledge of materials background in chemistry, materials science, polymer characterization, composite fabrication  

• Experience with design and execution of polymers and composites mechanical testing  

• Strong synthesis experience and supervised polymer synthesis for high temperature composites  

• Experience in project or program leadership 

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of customers and corporate staff

• Led teams to design and execute of polymers and composites mechanical testing  

• Served as principal investigator of research and development on polymers and composites 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  

• Willing to travel occasionally to work location or customer site/domestically/internationally approximately 20%  

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret 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:  

• 12 or more years of increasingly responsible professional engineering/scientific experience is highly desirable

• Functional management experience would be greatly beneficial

• Demonstrated success in winning internal research funds, commercial contracts, or external grants

• Experience in Program support on issues regarding current or emerging space/launch technologies is strongly desired.  

• 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.