Physical Metallurgist

Job Overview

This job announcement will be accepting candidate submissions until 1600 hrs on 26 Dec 2024. Resumes must be in DD/MMM/YYYY format.

The AFRL Materials and Manufacturing Directorate is actively seeking a driven Metallurgical Materials Engineer with specialized expertise in aerospace materials, physical metallurgy, and phase transformation. Join a forward-thinking, interdisciplinary team of innovators within the Metals Branch of the Composite, Ceramic, Metallic, and Materials Performance Division.

Position duties include, but are not limited to:

• Leading and collaborating on impactful research with both internal teams and external partners to develop high-performance metallic solutions for Air Force applications.
• Serve as focal point and technical lead (in-house and external) for physical metallurgy, phase transformations, and microstructural design of advanced aerospace alloys.
• Utilizing experimental techniques (synthesis, processing, testing) and computational tools (ICME, ML, etc.) to discover, optimize, and develop novel alloys, advancing the understanding of microstructure-processing-property relationships.
• Communicate significant research findings with both internal and external communities through conferences, peer-reviewed publications, workshops, and technical exchanges.
• Providing technical expertise on external contracts focused on the development, demonstration, and integration of advanced metals into Air Force systems.

This exciting opportunity will be filled at the DR-2 (GS-13 equivalent) or DR-3 (GS-14 equivalent) level, based at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH. This position may be filled as a 5-year Flexible Length Term Appointment (new government hires, current government term employees, etc.) with the option to later extend or convert to a permanent appointment.

AFRL/RX Video: https://www.afrl.af.mil/RX/

For resume writing tips, facts about the federal hiring process and additional resources, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include/

Telework

Yes, this position is eligible for situational telework; as determined by agency policy
Remote Work (CONUS)

No, this position is not approved for remote work.
Eligible for a Referral Bonus?

Yes
Required Qualifications

• US Citizen
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
• Possess a professional science or engineering (S&E) degree, in a relevant technical field, from an accredited (or ABET accredited for engineering) academic institution; if the highest earned S&E degree is a Bachelor's.
• The applicant must also have one year of experience at the DR-01 (GS-11 equivalent) level to be hired as a DR-02 and one year of specialized experience as a DR-02 (GS-13) to be hired as a DR-03.
• This is an Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) position requiring Level II certification in the Science and Technology Manager (N) functional stall.
• Applicants must list all completed APDP certifications on their resume.
• Selectee will have 24 months to meet the APDP certification requirements for the position.

Desired Qualifications

• Masters or PhD in Materials Science/Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or Physics
• Extensive experience in the physical metallurgy of aerospace alloy systems (e.g., Al, Ti, Ni, refractory alloys)
• In-depth knowledge of phase equilibria, phase transformations, and microstructural design for high-performance aerospace alloys
• Experience of leading teams in a research environment and interacting with customers
• Practical experience with digital tools and/or ICME methodologies for alloy discovery, optimization, and microstructural design, blending both experimental and computational approaches
• Preferred experience with cast, wrought, and powder metallurgy techniques
• Familiarity with materials characterization techniques to analyze microstructure, chemistry, and defects (e.g., microscopy, X-ray)
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with experience presenting at conferences, publishing in peer-reviewed journals, and leading workshops.
• Proven ability to collaborate across disciplines and define key technical requirements for Air Force-related programs.

When uploading documents, please utilize the naming convention and requisition number listed below.
Resume: Req No_Last Name_First Name_Resume
Transcript: Req No_Last Name_First Name_Transcript
Latest SF50: Req No_Last Name_First Name_SF50
Acceptable file types: .docx, .pdf

(Req No. 08712)

Series

0801

0806

Other