Department: NIAR Advanced Materials Research

Campus Location: Wichita, KS - WSU Main Campus

Hire Type: Full Time

Pay: Commensurate with experience

Work Schedule: Typically 8am – 5pm, Monday – Friday. Evenings and weekends may be required dependent upon business needs. The job is performed in person and on-site in Wichita, KS.

Export Compliance Requirement: This position requires access to EAR or ITAR controlled technologies. Applicants are required to be eligible for employment under U.S. export control laws and must meet the requirement of being a “U.S. Citizen”.

Job Details

The Advanced Materials Research group is looking for a Research Engineer to support high temperature materials development, testing, and characterization activities for both external and internal flow for high-speed applications. This role will contribute to research programs involving thermal protection systems, aerothermal environments, high enthalpy testing, and material response under extreme conditions. This position is ideal for candidates with a strong background in materials science, aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, and chemical engineering.

Job Summary

Independently interprets, organizes, executes, and coordinates research assignments in a field or specialization of an engineering discipline.
Formulates and conducts research on problems of considerable scope and complexity.
Explores subject area and defines scope and selection of problems for investigation through conceptually related studies or series of projects of lesser scope.

Essential Functions

Interprets, organizes, executes, and coordinates engineering research assignments concerned with unique or controversial problems.
Applies diversified knowledge of engineering research principles, practices, and protocols in research projects; makes recommendations and conclusions which serve as the basis for decision making in a specialty area.
Formulates and conducts systematic problem analysis and resolution in an area of considerable scope and complexity through series of complete and conceptually related studies, or through a variety of projects of lesser scope.
Receives administrative supervision, with assignments given in terms of broad general objectives and limits.
Develops model concepts and approaches as an individual researcher and acts independently on technical matters.
Collaborates with users and principal investigators on design, analysis, application, and reporting of research projects; provides technical leadership and technique consultation. Prepares analyses, reports, and other documentation for publication; presents findings at local, national, and/or international meetings.
Prepares, or assists with the preparation of, materials for grant proposals to obtain funding in support of research activities.
Serves as investigator on single or multiple projects of complexity and scope consistent with above criteria, and/or manages a research unit.
Maintains currency of knowledge with respect to relevant state-of-the-art technology, equipment, and/or systems.
Other duties as assigned.

Job Duties

Research previous publications and relay information to senior research engineers and customers.
Conduct experimental and analytical research on high temperature materials for aerospace applications.
Support thermal characterization, decomposition studies, ablation modeling, and analysis of materials subjected to high enthalpy environments.
Assist with planning, executing, and documenting tests performed in high temperature or high enthalpy facilities.
Perform thermal analysis, aerothermal heating assessments, and material behavior evaluation under extreme environments.
Develop, update, and maintain material test plans, process specifications, and technical documentation.
Analyze data, interpret results, and generate technical reports and presentations.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across NIAR, government partners, academia, and industry sponsors.
Support model validation, post test inspections, and nondestructive evaluation of thermally exposed materials.
Assist with training or mentoring students and interns as needed.
Contribute to proposal development, customer communication, and project planning.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related STEM field
• Two (2) years of related experience in a STEM field, preferably in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Experience with thermal analysis techniques, high temperature material testing, or thermophysical property evaluation.
• Understanding of material decomposition behavior, ablation, or thermal protection system materials.
• Familiarity with heat flux measurement, aerothermal environments, or high enthalpy facility operations.
• Ability to analyze technical data and produce clear, well structured reports.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, thermal maps, and experimental test data.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or research experience focused on high temperature materials or aerothermal sciences.

• Experience with high enthalpy test facilities, arc jet testing, plasma wind tunnels, or related environments.
• Experience with material property modeling, decomposition modeling, or thermal response simulations.
• Familiarity with TPS materials, ceramic matrix composites, or high temperature alloys.
• Familiarity with material modeling software’s CMA, CHAR, PATO, FIAT, Icarus.
• Familiarity with meshing software such as Pointwise and HyperMesh for creating models utilized in CFD and FEA .
• Prior experience conducting research at in a similar academic/industry research setting.

Additional Information:

This position will support research both in office and laboratory environments and may involve collaboration with government, academic, and industrial partners.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to ascend and descend ladders and/or stairs.
Ability to position self for inspection, construction or maintenance of equipment including confined, elevated and loud noise spaces.
Ability to position self to move and/or transfer materials and/or supplies.
Ability to move or traverse across campus, within buildings and offices, and/or across external environments.
Ability to use tools, equipment, and technology necessary to do the job. This includes dexterity in instrument manipulation.
Ability to communicate with others and accurately exchange information.
Ability to interpret effectively, accurately and impartially, both receptively and expressively.
Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment