Research Scientist

How you will be awarded as a Research Scientist – Rocket Propellants, Explosives and Pyrotechnics
• Monday-Thursday work week working four 10-hour days
• Off on Fridays
• Generous paid time off and Holiday Pay
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 401(K), employee assistance programs, health savings account

Primary Responsibilities:

• Apply chemical principles to safely analyze and conduct experiments on propellants, pyrotechnics, and/or explosives to meet program requirements or to make production improvements.
• Develop and/or modify formulas, processes, procedures, and techniques to manufacture propellant.
• Develop methods and analyzes and to create tests compositions to understand and modify chemical, physical, mechanical, ballistic, and hazard properties.
• Establish optimal trade-off of propellant properties by modifying composition to achieve objectives.
• Serve as a principal investigator to resolve propellant production issues.
• Follow standard laboratory practices and safety procedures.
• Coordinate and schedule support work for other departments.
• Make oral presentations outlining/summarizing progress on selected projects and programs to both internal and external customers.
• Prepare technical reports detailing work progression and results.
• Provide labor, equipment, and material estimates for laboratory work required to support production projects.
• Assign/delegate work to technicians and junior chemists.
• Provide training to technicians to perform chemical weigh out, small scale propellant mixing, laboratory testing, mechanical property testing, and burn rate testing.
• Review results of experiments and analyses performed by other scientists or technicians.
• Perform Statistical Process Control charting and predictive modelling to identify propellant performance and/or property trends.

Job Qualifications:

• Proficient with Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, and Power Point.
• Experience with various lab instruments for analysis and testing of energetic materials.
• Working knowledge of energetic material regulations and safe handling/measurement.
• Ability to work effectively and communicate well with the cross-functional NDS Mesa Team.
• Must have a strong work ethic and be well organized to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Must be able to wear safety equipment such as respirators or self-contained breathing apparatus.
• Must be able to exert up to 50 lbs. of force in the course of normal work.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain ATF Processor license.