About Science and Technology Corporation (STC):
Founded in 1979, Science and Technology Corporation (STC) delivers an extensive range of award-winning advanced scientific, engineering, and technical support services to the U.S. Government and Industry customers. Our proven expertise and experience span scientific research, development, test and evaluation in areas such as earth and atmospheric sciences, engineering, data science and software engineering. Will you join our world-class team?
- Employment Category: Part-time/non-exempt
- Location: NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA
- Security Clearance: N/A
- Citizenship: U.S. Citizenship
- Salary: $30/hr.
Position Summary
The Fabrication Engineering Technician serves as a technical specialist in metal additive manufacturing with an emphasis on Selective Laser Melting (SLM). The incumbent provides hands‑on expertise in operating, programming, and maintaining SLM systems within Langley’s advanced manufacturing laboratories. The technician works directly with research engineers, project teams, and external vendors to fabricate high‑precision aerospace components supporting mission needs in aeronautics, science, and exploration.
In addition to their core responsibilities, the technician may also be called upon to assist with other tasks as needed. For instance, they might help with ceramic model fabrication, which is housed within the same additive manufacturing lab.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
1. Additive Manufacturing Operations (Primary)
- Program, set up, and operate SLM additive manufacturing systems to produce high‑quality metallic components to NASA specifications.
- Interpret CAD models, build files, and engineering drawings to develop build strategies optimized for material, geometry, and performance requirements.
- Conduct powder handling, loading, recycling, and quality management in accordance with safety and contamination‑control procedures.
- Perform machine calibration, laser alignment checks, and process parameter verification to maintain part quality and repeatability.
2. Fabrication Request Support
- Collaborate with requesters to evaluate part requirements, manufacturability, materials, and best manufacturing approaches.
- Support design reviews by providing input on additive‑specific constraints such as support structures, surface finish, tolerances, and build orientation.
- Track fabrication jobs, maintain documentation, and communicate status to customers and project leads.
3. Laboratory and Equipment Maintenance
- Maintain additive manufacturing laboratory facilities, including SLM machines, powder storage, inert gas systems, and post‑processing equipment.
- Develop and execute preventive maintenance schedules.
- Maintain consumable inventories and ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety (EHS) requirements consistent with facility operations guidance found in internal D204 safety and environmental PDs.
- Keep equipment configurations, logs, and calibration records up to date.
4. Vendor & Procurement Coordination
- Engage with equipment manufacturers, service providers, and suppliers to evaluate new technologies and support procurement of new additive manufacturing systems.
- Assist with development of technical specifications for acquisition, installation, and integration of new equipment into existing facility infrastructure.
- Coordinate service contracts, warranty work, and repairs.
5. Post‑Processing & Quality Assurance
- Conduct part removal, heat treatment coordination, support removal, machining interface setups, and surface finishing as required.
- Perform dimensional inspection, visual examination, and basic nondestructive evaluation (NDE) to verify build quality.
- Document process parameters, anomalies, part history, and build outcomes to support traceability and process improvement.
6. Collaboration & Branch Support
- Work in coordination with fabrication teams across machining, CNC, precision metal, and composite groups to integrate additive parts into larger assemblies, consistent with multidisciplinary fabrication workflows outlined in internal capability plans.
- Support branch activities, demonstrations, tours, and technical briefings regarding additive manufacturing capabilities.
- Provide mentorship to junior technicians and interns as assigned.
Benefits:
- N/A - Part Time Associate
Demo