Advanced Manufacturing & Materials Maturation Expert

About This Role

This role will lead the transition of next-generation materials and manufacturing technologies from TRL 4 to TRL 7+, bridging the gap between material science breakthroughs and factory-floor execution. The expert will ensure new innovations are scalable, cost-effective, and compliant with industry standards.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement pilot-scale manufacturing processes for advanced materials (e.g., composites, additives, ceramics, or high-performance alloys)
• Utilize Design for Manufacturing (DfM) and Design for Assembly (DfA) principles to refine theoretical material applications into repeatable industrial workflows
• Lead the development of testing protocols to validate material performance under real-world stress, ensuring all "matured" processes meet rigorous quality and safety benchmarks
• Serve as the primary technical link between the R&D "Foundry" and the Production "Factory," translating complex material data into actionable manufacturing work instructions
• Evaluate and source raw material suppliers, ensuring the chemical and physical consistency of inputs required for advanced manufacturing techniques
• Identify and integrate "Industry 4.0" tools, such as automated optical inspection (AOI), digital twins, or robotic deposition, to stabilize new material processes
• Transition RF designs from "benchtop prototypes" to ruggedized, production-ready units that maintain signal integrity under extreme vibration and thermal cycling
• Lead the selection and validation of encapsulation, potting compounds, and conformal coatings that protect sensitive electronics from moisture, chemicals, or ionic contamination
• Perform Physics of Failure (PoF) assessments to predict the lifespan of electronic components in accelerated aging or high-stress environments

Requirements

• Master's or PhD in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or Manufacturing Engineering
• 7+ years in a high-tech manufacturing environment (Aerospace, Defense, Semi-conductor, or Medical Device)
• Proven track record of moving technologies through the NASA/DoD Technology Readiness Level pipeline
• Deep expertise in Thermoplastics, Nanomaterials, and Additive Metals
• Proficiency in designing advanced heat dissipation solutions (e.g., vapor chambers, phase-change materials, or high-thermal-conductivity adhesives)
• Hands-on experience with MIL-STD-810 (Environmental Engineering) and MIL-STD-461 (EMI/EMC) or equivalent IPC/ESCC standards

Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or Manufacturing Engineering
• 7+ years in a high-tech manufacturing environment (Aerospace, Defense, Semi-conductor, or Medical Device)

Skills

* Required skills