(Senior) Lab officer, Plasma and Spray

Job Description

(Senior) Laboratory Officer (Plasma and Spray Processes), Surface Remanufacturing Technology (SRT) Group, ARTC

The Surface Remanufacturing Technology (SRT) Group at ARTC is seeking a hands-on and motivated Senior Laboratory Officer to support both current and emerging technologies in advanced surface processing and materials characterisation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the development and enhancement of surface engineering capabilities by gaining hands-on experience, conducting experimental trials, and building technical knowledge in advanced platforms such as atmospheric-pressure plasma, ultrasonic spray coating, vacuum plasma spray, and other emerging technologies.
• Assist with the setup, operation, and troubleshooting of spray coating processes in collaboration with senior team members, including thermal spray, cold spray, ultrasonic spray, vacuum-based spray coating, and other related deposition techniques.
• Conduct metallurgical analysis, including sample preparation (e.g., sectioning, mounting, and polishing), etching, microscopy, spectroscopy, and documentation of microstructural features.
• Support day-to-day operation of surface engineering systems, including equipment setup, process optimisation, and quality evaluation.
• Collect, organise, and analyse experimental and process data (e.g., process parameters, performance metrics, and materials characterisation results) to support process optimisation and evidence-based technical decisions.
• Document procedures, analyse results, and prepare technical reports and project presentations.
• Support laboratory operations, including procurement, consumables preparation, powder handling, inventory tracking, safety compliance, and adherence to 5S housekeeping standards.

Job Requirements:

• Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Advanced Manufacturing, Precision Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Willingness to work hands-on with research equipment and support experimental activities involving atmospheric-pressure plasma or metal spray techniques
• Able to follow detailed experimental procedures, equipment operating procedures, risk assessments, and lab safety requirements.
• Strong critical thinking skills, initiative, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Good communication skills, with the ability to engage internal stakeholders and industry partners.

Preferred:

• Hands-on experience with materials characterisation tools such as optical microscopy and sample preparation equipment.
• Experience with surface engineering techniques (e.g., abrasive flow machining, thermal/cold spray) and materials characterisation methods (e.g., SEM, XRD, hardness testing, microstructural analysis) is an advantage.
• CAD/CAM experience (e.g., SolidWorks, PowerMill) and basic programming skills (e.g., Python, MATLAB) are a plus.