Specialty Materials Portfolio Manager/Engineer

This announcement will be accepting candidate submissions until 5:00 PM EST, on 28 July 2026.

The AFRL Foundational Technologies Directorate seeks to hire a motivated and experienced engineer or scientist to manage a specialty materials research & development project portfolio in the Polymers & Specialty Materials Branch of the Photonic, Electronics, and Soft Materials Division. This position will be filled at the DR-02 (GS-13 equivalent) or DR-03 (GS-14 equivalent) level and is located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. For current federal employees, the position will be filled as a lateral reassignment. This position may be filled as a 5-year Flexible Length Term appointment (new government hires, current government term employees, etc.) with the option to later extend or convert to a permanent appointment.

Position duties include, but are not limited to:

• Portfolio manager for multidisciplinary specialty material projects that include research areas spanning across the Foundational Technology Directorate.
• Assesses and identifies opportunities for polymeric & specialty materials and processes to deliver near and long-term aerospace & defense capabilities, including interfacing with DAF program offices and industry partners, writing and evaluating proposals, and developing technology roadmaps.
• Develops, executes, and/or manages applied/advanced research and development projects and programs related to polymers and specialty materials for advanced aerospace platforms and extreme environments.
• Provides technical support and guidance for polymers and specialty materials laboratory environments.
• Builds relationships with external customers and identifies technology gaps and solutions utilizing a broad range of material and manufacturing solutions .
• Mentors team members of various experience levels and supports cross-branch advanced development activities as needed.

• US Citizenship.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance.
• This is a drug testing designated position. Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
• Possess a professional science or engineering (S&E) degree, in a relevant technical field, from an (ABET) accredited academic institution.

• Graduate degree in Polymer Physics, Polymer Chemistry, Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, or Engineering Degree.
• Broad expertise in basic and applied aerospace polymer and specialty materials RDT&E to include but not limited to polymeric materials, coatings, composites, interfaces, metallurgy, and/or ceramics.
• Experience working with multiple organizations throughout AFRL (other Technical Directorates) and external to AFRL (Government and Industry technical leaders), especially supporting AFLCMC program offices.
• Experience with advanced materials and manufacturing technologies include, but not limited to, aerospace composites processing, metallic materials processing, corrosion testing, and/or mechanical testing and modelling.
• Proven track record of successful communication, both oral and written, to senior leadership as well as technical subject-matter experts.
• Program management experience that includes technical and financial execution.
• At least 2 years of experience working in a classified (e.g. SAP) setting.

Requisition Number 51987