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MATERIALS & PROCESS ENGINEERING INTERN

Company:
Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing
Location:
Disputanta, VA, 23842
Posted:
November 30, 2025
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Description:

Job Type

Internship

Description

The Materials & Process Engineering Intern will support CCAM's research programs. Interns will help to ensure that projects are delivered on time, on budget, and with a high standard of quality.

IN THIS POSITION YOU WILL:

Gain more in-depth understanding of Surface Engineering, Thermal Spray Coating & Materials Research.

Support new and ongoing thermal spray-coating process development.

Exposure to Atmospheric Plasma Spray (APS) manufacturing process for aerospace applications Provide material quality feedback for additive manufacturing & surface engineering processes.

Understanding materials' microstructure and its impact on properties and performance Prepare and characterize materials research specimens.

Metallography preparation and characterization techniques

Specimen mounting, cross-sectioning, and polishing to reveal materials' microstructure for inspection

Optical & scanning electron microscopy for microstructure imaging and elemental analysis

Microstructure assessment of metal alloys and ceramic coatings Computed Tomography (CT) analysis assistance for internal porosity and cracking

Mass and thickness measurements of various materials and coatings

Surface roughness and morphology assessment using profilometry and confocal microscopy

Build expertise in technical data reporting.

Communication Skills, especially Technical Writing

Collect and analyze experimental data

Compile presentations of experimental results

Perform scientific literature reviews on research topics with little prior knowledge.

Create written documentation of techniques used & work methods Work collaboratively with our researchers.

Stay up to date with the latest developments in manufacturing technologies and provide research support to the team.

Interface with our industry & government partners for technical collaboration and project status communications.

Conduct and assist in manufacturing data analysis.

Requirements

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS: The completed coursework section gives an overview of courses across the majors of Material Science & Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Industrial Engineering that give conceptual foundation for the internship project work. It is not expected for candidates to have taken all of these courses.

* This position requires access to technology or intellectual property that is subject to export control requirements. Candidates must be qualified for such access without an export control license. *

*At a minimum, candidates must have partially (at least two years of academic credit) completed a scientific or engineering degree at an accredited university, rising Junior, Senior, or Graduate student. *

Academic Major OR Area of Focus: Materials Science and Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Manufacturing Engineering; Industrial Engineering

Completed Coursework: Physics I with Lab or Engineering I with Lab; Physics II with Lab or Engineering II with Lab; Technical Writing or Technical Communication; Introductory Engineering Discipline Course

Technical Skills: Minimum familiarity with any of the following areas is desired: Metallography, Microscopy Experience, Data Collection & Analysis, Additive Manufacturing, Surface Engineering / Coatings, Machining, Proficient in Excel, Familiarity with Python a plus.

CCAM's is partnered with our 5 University Members- Virginia State University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Old Dominion University, University of Virginia, & Virginia Tech. We only select candidates from our 5 University Members.

Ability To:

Work independently towards an established goal without continuous oversight or assistance.

Quickly grasp key concepts needed to attack difficult engineering and manufacturing problems.

Maintain a positive, team-first mentality.

Take ownership of projects. Passion for:

Development and application of scientific principles.

Innovative, creative, technically complicated problem solving.

Working outside of your comfort zone.

Having fun while learning new things!

CCAM is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. CCAM does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetics, disability, or veteran status.

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