Description

Leidos is seeking a Materials Scientist to join our team in Albany, OR to conduct research with a multidisciplinary team focused on investigating additively manufactured (AM) Ni-based superalloys for use in high efficiency, fuel flexible gas turbines. The candidate should possess knowledge and practical experience conducting research in processing-microstructure-property relationships for high performance alloys used in gas turbines or similar structural applications. The position will be100% on site, research and development support for the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) Research & Development facility in Albany, OR.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Characterize microstructures using advanced techniques (SEM, XRD, EBSD, TEM).
• Perform mechanical testing and phase stability studies (i.e., heat treatments) on additively manufactured Ni-based superalloys.
• Determine failure and deformation mechanisms associated with high temperature application under service environments.
• Predict phase equilibria, kinetic phase information/compositions as it relates to thermal history and solidification behavior using computational simulation methods (e.g. CALPHAD, Diffusion Simulations, and/or Related Software).

• Specify additive manufactured build articles and assist with developing testing and characterization plans.
• Analyze and interpret data generated from research to understand processing-microstructure-property relationships using advanced materials science concepts and robust statistical analysis.

• Author and/or co-author reports, manuscripts, and articles suitable for peer-review publication.
• Participate and present research results in company and client meetings and in externally facing settings.

The successful candidate will work on local and geographically dispersed teams with other engineers, scientists, technicians, subject matter experts, faculty members, post-doctoral students, and graduate and undergraduate students across DOE National Laboratories, other U.S. government laboratories, universities, industries, and research organizations. The candidate will attend regular and ad hoc meetings and contribute to the development of written reports, journal articles, and presentations on findings and innovative solutions in DOE-sanctioned meetings, scientific conferences, and national committees.

Requirements:

• Masters degree in Materials Science and Engineering or related field with 2+ years related experience
• Experience characterizing microstructures of structural materials using advanced techniques (SEM, EDS, XRD, EBSD, TEM and potentially EPMA).
• Experience with mechanical testing and analysis for structure-property relationship of high temperature structural alloys (Fe-based, Ni-based, high entropy alloys, etc.).
• Experience with phase transformation, thermodynamics, and physics of high temperature structural alloys (Fe-based, Ni-based, high entropy alloys, etc.).
• Demonstrated record of successfully working independently and with minimum supervision as part of a multi-disciplinary team interacting with people possessing a variety of expertise.
• Detail-oriented, able to take initiative, works well both independently and as a team member, and be able to balance competing and changing priorities.
• Demonstrated competency in scientific and engineering modeling and analysis tools applicable to the specific tasks.
• Possess strong analytical, oral, and written communications skills, particularly the ability to:
  • Analyze and interpret data generated from research, apply data to analysis within the context of scope and direction, and clearly report results.
  • Author and/or co-author reports, manuscripts, and articles suitable for inclusion in refereed journals.
  • Present research results in company and client meetings and in externally facing settings.

• Ability to meet the requirements for gaining access to work on the NETL campus.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering or related field.
• Experience with advanced characterization of structural alloys (microstructure, grain structure, phase identification, deformation).
• Expertise in diffusional processes associated with failure caused by environmental and/or hydrogen damage in structural alloys.
• Background in additive manufacturing processing of alloys used in structural applications.
• Knowledge of alloy and component development of Ni-based superalloys.
• Experience with software related to additive manufacturing to design build articles (e.g., CAD software) and predict of materials properties (e.g., finite element analysis).
• Experience with image processing methods to determine microstructure characteristics.
• Knowledge of hydrogen embrittlement and other hydrogen/material interactions.

Salary Range for this position: $100K to $105K

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:

December 10, 2025

Pay Range:

Pay Range $87,100.00 - $157,450.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

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Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.