Materials & Process Engineer I, Center for Composite Materials
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The University of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity Employer which encourages applications from Minority Group Members, Women, Individuals with Disabilities and Veterans. The University's Notice of Non-Discrimination can be found at http://www.udel.edu/aboutus/legalnotices.html
Job No: 499646
Work Type: Staff
Location: Newark
Categories: Research & Laboratory, Full Time
PAY GRADE 29E
CONTEXT OF THE JOB:
The Center for Composite Materials, CCM, a soft-funded research center within the College of Engineering, has annual research expenses of more than $15M that is derived entirely from external sources, including grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and industrial contracts. The mission of the Center is to 1) conduct basic and applied research, 2) educate scientists and engineers, and 3) transition technology to industry.
Under the general direction of a CCM principal investigator (PI), the Materials & Process Engineer I conducts collaborative research in the PI's funded research program(s) with professional staff and students. The Materials & Process Engineer I will apply a wide range of engineering and science principles to characterize materials and process variables and develop physics-based understanding which can inform composite material manufacturing process development.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develop and implement Wet Compression manufacturing methodologies for TuFF Material.
- Lead efforts to define and implement hardware and software design changes to meet the requirements of novel Wet compression molding set up.
- Conduct research on composite materials processing with standard and novel material characterization methodologies.
- Design and conduct tests to evaluate and optimize process conditions.
- Conduct research on the novel discontinuous fiber TuFF composite material developed by UD-CCM.
- Conduct strain and strain rate characterization with Digital Image Correlation, microstructure characterization with X-ray Micro-CT and optical microscopy (with image analysis), and process characterization with custom data acquisition systems (such as the LabView environment).
- Prepare drawings and schematics using CATIA, SolidWorks, Autodesk AutoCAD or similar CAD design packages.
- Perform material, sub-component and component mechanical testing and qualification.
- Work with small teams to provide input on process development projects from concept through to final fabrication.
- Present work including theory, approach, results, and conclusions and provide input concerning results, suggested modifications for future work.
- Maintain a broad knowledge of state-of-the-art in composites manufacturing science, technology, equipment, and/or systems.
- Write reports on the work performed in the form of internal research reviews, and external progress reports for government and/or commercial projects under contract.
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- US Citizen or Permanent Resident required due to funding source.
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Chemical, or Material Sciences Engineering and three years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience with composite materials processing and composite manufacturing process development, including hand layup, autoclave, compression molding, and resin transfer molding (RTM).
- Experience with materials characterization, such as ASTM standards for testing composites, sample preparation, microscopy techniques, and data reduction methods.
- Experience with CAD design including product assemblies and drafting.
- Experience with prototyping of composite processing equipment.
- Ability to develop and follow research methodology and protocol.
- Preferred experience with programming environments for process control, data acquisition, and data reduction, such as LabView, Matlab, Python, G-Code, etc.
- Demonstrated proficiency working in team environment and set own priorities based on project schedule.
- Effective oral and written communication of design documentation (reports, drawings, etc.) and engineering presentations.
- Ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
- Demonstrates an understanding and consideration of the differing needs and concerns of individuals with varying identities, cultures and backgrounds.
- Committed to fostering a workplace culture of belonging, where diversity is celebrated and equity is a core value.
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