Materials and Chemical Engineering Intern

Job Description:

AMA is seeking motivated and detail-oriented Materials and Chemical Engineering Interns to join our team in Moffett Field, CA supporting NASA on the Aircraft Systems and Spaceflight Engineering Support Services (ASSESS) contract at NASA Ames Research Center (ARC). Work will be in support of the Thermal Protection Materials branch, part of the Entry Systems and Technology Division at NASA ARC. The positions are expected to start as soon as possible, and continue for a minimum of one year. Level of effort can be variable during the school year based on course schedule, but may ramp up to full-time during the summer.

NASA ARC is seeking support for various thermal protection focused projects, including:

• Charring and manufacturing of low-density fibrous ceramics and glassy coatings for next generation commercial space vehicle support

• Development and maturation of woven Thermal Protection Materials (TPS) for more demanding NASA and DoD applications

• Development and maturation of low cost TPS for high cadence Earth/Mars applications for both NASA and commercial space

• Supporting efforts to understand material behavior variations during flight and ground testing

• Post flight characterization and analysis of TPS coupons

• Support efforts for transfer of TPS technologies to commercial partners

• Ability to understand the UV-curing process of polymers and to evaluate and handle materials throughout the curing process

Pay for this position is $29.50/hr -$33.50/hr, depending on education.

Responsibilities will vary depending on project, but the successful applicant will be involved in the following:

• Materials processing and fabrication

• Materials characterization including microstructure, optical, thermal and mechanical properties

• High temperature polymer and TPS optimization

• UV curable polymers

For all projects:

• Lab safety-related tasks (hazardous waste accumulation, housekeeping, and lab safety-related inspections)

• Regular reporting (verbal and/or written) to research mentor on progress of project

• Documentation of work done and communication of findings to project team

• Knowledge of structure and processing of polymers, ceramic, glass, and porous/insulating materials

• Some background knowledge in materials processing and characterization - including familiarity with analytical lab equipment such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), and mechanical testing

• Currently pursuing a degree (B.S, M.S or PhD) in Materials, Chemical, Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering; or a related field

• Familiarity with typical lab standard operating procedures (SOP) and safety protocols

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

• For some positions: Ability to stand for a majority of the day, and lift up to 50lbs

• Expected to work (in person at NASA Ames Research Center) 10 hours per week or more, as allowed by the candidate's course schedule. Therefore, must pursue studies locally (within 20 miles of NASA ARC)

Analytical Mechanics Associates (AMA) is proud of our customer relationships, our diverse and dynamic work environment, and our employees' career satisfaction. AMA is a small business with a wide reach; headquartered in Hampton, VA, AMA has operations in Greenbelt, MD; Huntsville, AL; Dallas and Houston, TX; Denver, CO; Mountain View, CA; and Edwards Air Force Base, CA. With over 60 years of experience, AMA specializes in aerospace engineering, science, analytics, information technology, and visualization solutions. AMA combines the best of engineering, science, and mathematics capabilities with the latest in information technologies, visualization, and multimedia to build creative solutions. We offer competitive salaries and a substantial benefits package, including but not limited to paid personal and federally recognized holiday leave, salary deferrals into a 401(k)-matching plan with immediate vesting, tuition reimbursement, short/long term disability plans, and a variety of medical, dental, and vision insurance options.

AMA is committed to the professional growth of every employee, understanding that the successes of our employees drive our success. We provide a work environment that is engaging, collaborative, and supportive. To learn more about our company, please visit our website at www.ama-inc.com/careers and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

AMA is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited under federal, state, or local laws.