Job Overview

This job announcement will be accepting candidate submissions until 1600 EST on 4 March 2025. Resumes must be in DD/MMM/YYYY format.

The AFRL Materials and Manufacturing Directorate seeks to hire a motivated and experienced Research Lead, senior-level Materials or General Engineer to serve as a Metals Probabilistic Performance Prediction Research Lead in the Metals Branch of the Composite, Ceramic, Metallic and Materials Performance Division.

Position duties include, but are not limited to:
• Serves as the Metals Probabilistic Performance Prediction Research Lead for the Metals Branch.
• Leads the research team, a group of junior and senior materials experts, in performing in-house research on screening novel metals, evaluating performance in relevant environments, and developing microstructure-informed models to inform predictive modeling and scale from microstructure to components.
• Establish vision, objectives, technical approaches, and milestones for TRL 1-4 research to meet anticipated AF needs and technical program objectives, supporting overall DAF and AFRL strategy.
• Works with line managers, senior roadmap managers, and the corporate planning process, to integrate metals behavior research in-house efforts with the broader Materials Directorate strategy and technology program.
• Builds and maintains a culture of teamwork and excellence within AFRL/RX, encourages and enhances collaboration with sister government organizations, the metals industry and academic community.
• Effectively communicates and reports status on technical concepts, programs, transitions and impact to non-specialists, including senior leaders, decision makers and transition stakeholders.
• Advocates for necessary resources, partnership, collaboration activities, and capabilities within the organization’s processes, as well as facilitates team relationships with external funding agencies and other governmental and industrial laboratories and partners.
• Supports the broader DAF mission by serving as a trusted consultant and advisor within the DAF, DOD and the national technology arena.
• Serves as principal technical interface with on-site contract principle investigator.

This position will be filled at the DR-III/DR-IV (GS-13/14 equivalent) level and is located at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH. This position may be filled as a 5-year flexible term position (new government hires, current government term employees, etc.) with the option to convert to a permanent appointment.

Remote Work (CONUS)

No, this position is not approved for remote work.

Eligible for a Referral Bonus?

Yes

Required Qualifications

• United States Citizenship
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance (for new hires); Possess and maintain a Secret security clearance (for current employees)
• Possess a professional science or engineering (S&E) degree, in a relevant technical field, from an accredited (or ABET accredited for engineering) academic institution

• Must have Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) Level/Tier 2 (Practitioner) Non-Critical certification in Engineering & Technical Management or obtain within 60 months of assignment

Desired Qualifications

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Physics or related field
• 7 years of experience in a field relevant to metallic materials and performance prediction related to aerospace applications. At least 2 of those years must be in a leadership role such as internal technical leadership, management of a complex external project, or similar.
• Demonstrated technical thought leadership, program management, and communication skills (written and verbal).
• Demonstrated experience as an independent researcher and guiding a team to author peer-reviewed papers, publications and/or proposals relevant to metallic materials performance prediction development and transition R&D
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with a broad organization to achieve corporate goals
• Demonstrated ability to transition technologies to industrial and government customers
• Experience in mentoring personnel to achieve organizational goals and assisting personnel achieve professional development and career goals

When uploading documents, please utilize the naming convention listed below. The Requisition Number for this announcement is 37787:
• Resume: Req No_Last Name_First Name_Resume
• Transcript: Req No_Last Name_First Name_Transcript
Acceptable file types: .doc, .docx, .pdf

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Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) employs approximately 11,500 military, civilian and contractor personnel, and manages a $7 billion portfolio of investments. The lab supports external customers and partners with industry while investing in basic research, applied research and advanced technology development. As one integrated lab, AFRL seamlessly supports the Science & Technology needs of two services: the Air Force and the Space Force.