Mechanical Engineer III Job at Apex Systems (Redmond)

Job Responsibility

Design, implement, and document experiments for the mechanical characterization and failure analysis of novel single-crystal optical materials
Handle, prepare, and process material samples, including slicing, dicing, lapping, and chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP), while adhering to all laboratory safety protocols
Conduct a range of mechanical tests, including but not limited to fracture toughness testing, flexural strength testing, and biaxial flexure testing
Perform comprehensive root cause failure analysis on tested components, utilizing fractography with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to identify failure origins and mechanisms
Develop and validate novel testing methodologies and fixtures tailored to the unique geometries and properties of advanced optical materials
Collect, analyze, and interpret complex test data
prepare detailed reports and present findings and recommendations to cross-functional engineering and research teams
Collaborate closely with materials scientists, optical engineers, and manufacturing partners to correlate mechanical properties with material processing and performance

Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field
5+ years of hands-on experience in the mechanical characterization of brittle materials (e.g., ceramics, glasses, single crystals)
Experience with advanced material processing techniques such as diamond wire sawing, lapping, bonding/de-bonding, and chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) or similar processing techniques
Demonstrated expertise in fracture mechanics principles and testing, including the experimental determination of stress intensity factors
Hands-on experience with material, crystallography, and surface science or similar characterization techniques, especially using SEM for fractography
Understanding of mechanical design principles for custom test fixture design
Proven ability to design and execute experiments (DOE), analyze results, and draw actionable conclusions
Data handling, documentation, and organization skills
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Proficiency with Word

Ph.D. in a relevant discipline with a background in process development or material reliability
Familiarity with optical metrology and refractive index measurements (e.g., prism coupler)
Proficiency in statistical data analysis and its application to brittle materials, including an understanding of Weibull statistics
Experience with laboratory automation and data acquisition using software such as LabVIEW, Python, or MATLAB
A fundamental understanding of crystallography and the anisotropic mechanical behavior of single-crystal materials

medical
dental
vision
life
disability
other insurance plans
ESPP (employee stock purchase program)
401K program with company match after 12 months
HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan)
SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions
corporate discount savings program
on-demand training program
access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars
certification discounts
Career Coach