Principal Engineer (Material Science)

About EDGE:

EDGE is an advanced technology group established to develop disruptive solutions for defense and beyond. Solving real world challenges, it is dedicated to bringing innovative technologies and services to market with greater speed and efficiency. Our people are at the core of our business, inspiring us to imagine a new world of endless possibilities. Leveraging advanced technologies such as autonomous capabilities, cyber-physical systems and directed energy to artificial intelligence, we recognize that changing the fundamentals of the defense industry will take real collaboration and creativity.

This is why we want you to be a part of our initiative Advanced Concepts. Join us today to enable a secure future.

Top Technical Requirements:

• Lead and oversee advanced research and development programs focused on enhancing aerospace materials technology for supersonic missile applications, including the exploration of novel materials, manufacturing processes, and coating technologies.
• Spearhead efforts to optimize material properties and configurations to maximize the performance, reliability, and lethality of supersonic missile systems, leveraging your deep understanding of material behavior under extreme operating conditions.
• Direct materials testing and evaluation activities, utilizing advanced testing methodologies, simulation techniques, and experimental design to assess material performance, validate design specifications, and identify areas for improvement.
• Establish and maintain rigorous quality assurance processes and standards to ensure the integrity, reliability, and safety of materials used in supersonic missile systems, in compliance with industry regulations and best practices.
• Investigate and analyze material failures or degradation observed in missile components during testing or operational use, employing advanced techniques such as electron microscopy, spectroscopy, and finite element analysis (FEA) to determine root causes and propose corrective actions.
• Accountable for the design, development and implementation of advanced thermal protection system, ensuring materials exhibit optimal impact resistance, and heat resistance coating. 
• Responsible for conducting through fatigue and fracture mechanics analysis to enhance the durability and reliability of supersonic missile components under extreme operational conditions. 
• Stay at the forefront of materials science research and emerging technologies relevant to supersonic missiles, including nanomaterials, metamaterials, high temperature materials, composite materials advanced alloys, structural materials, lightweight materials and advanced ceramics, to identify opportunities for technology insertion and performance enhancement.
• Cultivate strategic partnerships with external suppliers, research institutions, and industry collaborators to identify, evaluate, and incorporate state-of-the-art materials technologies and solutions into our supersonic missile systems.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including systems engineers, propulsion experts, and aerodynamicists, to integrate advanced materials seamlessly into missile components and subsystems, optimizing overall system performance and functionality.
• Work closely with manufacturing engineers to ensure smooth production processes and provide technical assistance in material-related issues, including troubleshooting and root cause analysis.
• Participate as a presenter or reviewer in technical and program review.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate materials-related risks and uncertainties throughout the development lifecycle, proactively addressing issues related to material compatibility, supply chain disruptions, and environmental factors.
   

Knowledge/Qualification & Experience

• Minimum of 20 years of progressive experience in materials engineering , defense sector, or aerospace engineering, with a proven track record of contributions to supersonic missile programs.
• Master/PhD in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• Deep Expertise in Materials - In-depth understanding of various materials, including their properties, behaviors, and processing methods.
• R&D Leadership - Demonstrated experience in leading or significantly contributing to research and development projects focused on developing new materials or enhancing existing ones, including proficiency in material characterization techniques and experimental methods.
• Application of Theoretical Concepts - Skilled in applying theoretical principles of material science to address complex engineering challenges and create innovative solutions.
• Analytical Proficiency - Expertise in using analytical tools and software for material analysis, simulation and modeling.
• Industry Acumen - Well-versed in industry standards, regulations and best practices pertaining to material science and engineering.