Associate, Research - Advanced Materials

Company Description

For more than 20 years, Vorbeck Materials has been pushing the boundaries of what advanced materials can do. Today, that foundation is powering technologies built for some of the world’s most demanding environments, from PFAS-free firefighting foams to advanced signal technologies for defense, communications, and industry.

Innovation is at the core of Vorbeck. With more than 100 patents, we’ve spent two decades transforming breakthrough materials science into technologies designed to solve complex, real-world challenges.

Twenty years in, Vorbeck is accelerating. We’re scaling technologies, expanding into new markets, and building the team that will shape what comes next.

Job Description

Job Type: Full-time
Classification: Exempt
Pay: $70,000 - $90,000 annually, based on experience
Physical Setting/work location: On-site, Columbia, MD
Clearance Eligibility: Must be eligible to obtain a U.S. government security clearance.

Vorbeck is seeking an Associate, Research - Advanced Materials to join our team in Columbia, Maryland. This position will support the development of Vorbeck’s advanced materials and radio frequency technologies, with work ranging from materials research and testing to antenna fabrication and prototype development.

We are looking for someone with a strong scientific foundation who enjoys hands-on research and solving technical problems. The role will involve preparing and testing materials, conducting experiments, analyzing results, screen printing antennas, and supporting prototype development. This individual will work closely with our materials, RF, and product development teams to help understand how materials and processing methods impact the performance of Vorbeck’s technologies.

Materials Research & Development:

• Prepare and evaluate graphene, conductive inks, coatings, substrates, composites, and other advanced materials used in Vorbeck technologies.
• Design and conduct experiments to understand how material properties, formulations, processing conditions, and fabrication methods affect performance.
• Analyze experimental data, identify trends, and use findings to guide further research and development.
• Investigate technical challenges involving materials and processing and recommend approaches for testing and development.

Antenna Fabrication & Prototyping:

• Fabricate antennas and RF components using screen printing and other printing or fabrication methods.
• Build and modify samples, prototypes, fixtures, and test setups using 3D printing and other fabrication equipment as needed.
• Work with RF engineers to translate materials research and antenna designs into physical prototypes for testing and evaluation.

Testing & Technical Development:

• Plan and conduct materials, RF, and antenna experiments, including sample preparation, experimental setup, measurement, and data collection.
• Evaluate relationships between material properties, processing methods, fabrication techniques, and device performance.
• Troubleshoot materials, fabrication, and testing challenges and determine appropriate next steps.

Research & Documentation:

• Maintain organized records of experiments, material formulations, fabrication methods, test conditions, results, and conclusions.
• Research new materials, processes, equipment, and testing methods to support technical development.
• Summarize findings and communicate results to R&D, Product Development, RF, and other members of the technical team.
• Collaborate with R&D, RF Engineering, and Product Development on research and product development projects.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Perform other duties as assigned to support research, engineering, product development, and organizational needs.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related technical field required.

• Advanced coursework or research experience in materials, applied physics, chemistry, electronics, or a related area strongly preferred.

• Master's degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical  field is preferred.

Experience

• Hands-on research experience through academic research, undergraduate or graduate research, internships, laboratory work, or industry experience.

• Experience working with materials, electronic components, fabrication, prototyping, or experimental equipment.

• Experience working with advanced materials, conductive materials, coatings, composites, printed electronics, graphene, or materials characterization is preferred.

• Experience with antenna fabrication, screen printing, 3D printing, printed circuit board development, or related technologies is a plus.

Skills and Abilities

• Curious and technically minded, with a strong interest in understanding how and why materials and processes perform the way they do.
• Self-motivated and dependable, with a willingness to take ownership of assigned work and follow projects through to completion.
• Strong scientific, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to design and conduct experiments, analyze results, and determine appropriate next steps.
• Comfortable preparing materials, building samples and prototypes, and working with research and testing equipment.
• Ability to connect material properties and processing conditions with experimental and product performance.
• Comfortable learning new equipment, materials, fabrication methods, and technical concepts.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate, reproducible research records.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with scientists, engineers, and other technical team members.

Additional Information

Benefits include:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) Program
• Vacation, Personal Time, and 10 Paid Holidays
• Company-sponsored Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and Life Insurance
• Opportunity for Relocation Assistance

*Vorbeck is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, or related medical conditions), marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, veteran status, military or uniformed service member status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local, or international law. This position will involve work on government contracts and the government requires that qualified candidates must be United States citizens. All personal information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.*