Material Process Engineer 3

Light Industrial/Manufacturing

Material Process Engineer 3 Woodland Hills, CA Posted: 7/2/2026

Job Description

Job ID#:

218839

Job Category:

Light Industrial/Manufacturing

Position Type:

Associate - W2

Duration:

26

Shift:

1

PDS Defense, Inc. is seeking a Material Process Engineer 3, in Woodland Hills, CA. Job ID#218839

Pay Rate: $94 - $99/hr

Job Description:

We are looking for you to join our team as a Materials and Process Engineer based out of Woodland Hills, CA.

What You'll Get to Do:

As an M&P Engineer, you will support definition of engineering requirements to develop, select, or recommend parts, materials, processes, manufacturing technologies, machinery, tools, and automation systems used in product design and manufacturing in accordance with contractual and regulatory obligations

Additionally, you will qualify new materials, parts and processes to meet requirements and manage test and audit programs to qualify suppliers to applicable requirements

Support engineering design reviews and participate in failure analyses for metallic parts and processes

Assist in supplier qualification activities and respond to routine supplier technical inquiries; escalate complex supplier or production issues to senior M&P engineers

Perform analyses to characterize performance or determine causes of tool, material, part, or process failures; recommend corrective actions for senior review

Coordinate and support lab activities (metallography, hardness, tensile, NDT/NDI) and compile test data for interpretation and disposition

Use project management practices to meet cost, technical, and schedule requirements for assigned tasks while incorporating EHS, LEAN, and Quality principles into materials/process work, lab activities, and procedures

Support creation and revision of material/process specifications, work instructions, and test plans; ensure alignment with and industry requirements

Support investigations of non-conformances and supplier deviations; collect evidence, perform basic root-cause analysis, and draft corrective action recommendations

Maintain engineering records (test reports, engineering orders) and support configuration control and design reviews as required

Communicate technical findings clearly to cross-functional teams and stakeholders

Frequent interaction with manufacturing floors, supplier facilities, and testing laboratories

Occasional travel to supplier sites, test facilities, and other locations may be required

Must comply with security, health, and safety policies

This requisition may be filled at a higher grade based on qualifications listed below

This requisition may be filled at either a Principal Level or a Sr. Principal Level.

Basic Qualifications for a Principal Material and Process Engineer:

5 years of Engineering experience with a Bachelor's of Science in a STEM discipline preferrable in Materials Science and Engineering; 3 years of Material Science and Engineering experience with Masters; 1 Year with a PhD

Engineering experience in aerospace, defense, or high-reliability manufacturing environments

Practical knowledge of metallurgy for ferrous and nonferrous alloys, heat treatment basics, corrosion/fatigue fundamentals, and common materials testing methods

Hands-on exposure to metallographic sample preparation and basic lab techniques (cutting, polishing, etching, hardness)

2+ years of manufacturing processes (machining, forging, forming, fastening, welding/brazing, plating/coating) and ability to interpret engineering drawings and specifications related to metallic materials and processing

Active DoD Secret Clearance

Ability to work full-time onsite in Woodland Hills

Basic Qualifications for a Sr. Principal Material and Process Engineer:

8 years of Engineering experience with a Bachelor's of Science in a STEM discipline preferrable in Materials Science and Engineering; 6 years of Material Science and Engineering experience with Masters; 4 Years with a PhD

Engineering experience in aerospace, defense, or high-reliability manufacturing environments

Practical knowledge of metallurgy for ferrous and nonferrous alloys, heat treatment basics, corrosion/fatigue fundamentals, and common materials testing methods

Hands-on exposure to metallographic sample preparation and basic lab techniques (cutting, polishing, etching, hardness)

2+ years of manufacturing processes (machining, forging, forming, fastening, welding/brazing, plating/coating) and ability to interpret engineering drawings and specifications related to metallic materials and processing

Active DoD Secret Clearance

Ability to work full-time onsite in Woodland Hills

Preferred Qualifications

• Active Top Secret Clearance

• Master's degree in materials science and engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, metallurgical engineering, or polymer engineering

• PhD in material science or materials engineering

• Strong desire to mentor and grow employees

• Expert level first principle engineering knowledge of metals and materials

• Knowledge of physical and mechanical properties as well as evaluation methods (tensile strength, hardness, fatigue, fracture toughness, creep, stress rupture, SEM, non-destructive inspection, spectroscopy)

• Detailed knowledge of one or more of the following production processes: forging, casting, forming, coating, plating, heat treating, fusion welding, friction stir welding, EB welding, additive manufacturing, and composite manufacturing

• Hands-on experience in a high-production manufacturing environment

• Experience with technical review of materials processing and a sound understanding of the interaction between process variables and the resulting material performance

• Demonstrated track record of success in a rapidly growing, fast-paced, and highly competitive environment

• Personality and drive to execute in a scrappy entrepreneurial environment that operates under tight timelines and aggressive schedules

• Effective written and interpersonal communication skills

• Capable of interacting with and conveying concepts within all levels of our organization

• Strong academic foundation coupled with hands on experience

Benefits offered to vary by the contract. Depending on your temporary assignment, benefits may include direct deposit, free career counseling services, 401(k), select paid holidays, short-term disability insurance, skills training, employee referral bonus, affordable medical coverage plan, and DailyPay (in some locations). For a full description of benefits available to you, be sure to talk with your recruiter.

Job Requirements

Minimum Security Clearance:

Secret

Military connected talent encouraged to apply.

VEVRAA Federal Contractor / Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals / Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please visit http://www.tadpgs.com/candidate-privacy/ or https://pdsdefense.com/candidate-privacy/

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act

• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance

• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers

• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

VEVRAA Federal Contractor / Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals / Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled