Jacob D. Fuerst, Ph.D., P.E., Dr. Fuerst is a licensed professional engineer with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Materials Engineering and Science. Dr. Fuerst has 16 years of experience in root cause failure analysis and forensics, fractography, and materials characterization. He has experience in a wide range of fields in material science including physical metallurgy, polymer engineering, corrosion mitigation, heat treating, ceramic coatings, finishing, traditional and additive manufacturing, powder metallurgy, metal injection molding, biomedical engineering, research and development for the aerospace and defense industries, firearms, ammunition and propellants, high-temperature materials, thermal spray, and the petrochemical industry.

Dr. Fuerst was the Senior Metallurgist for the Remington Outdoor Company and is the Research and Development Metallurgist for Sig Sauer.  He has extensive experience in the design, testing, manufacture, and use of firearms and ammunition.  He has consulted for a number of firearms manufacturers in the forging, heat treating, and finishing of firearms.  He has investigated firearm incidents and accidents for both law enforcement and civilian consumer sales that resulted in the catastrophic failure of firearms and ammunition components.  

Dr. Fuerst has experience with a wide variety of biomedical- and aerospace-grade materials such as titanium alloys, nickel alloys, stainless steels, cobalt alloys, biocompatible polymers, and ceramics.  He specialized in the material science of biomedical implants, such as orthopedic joint replacements, fracture fixation devices, and cardiovascular implants. 

Dr. Fuerst is experienced in manufacturing and production where he developed parameters for heat treatment and diffusion hardening of steel components, such as carburizing and ferritic nitrocarburizing.

Dr. Fuerst has worked in the aerospace and defense industry on hypersonic weapon systems including the AGM-183 ARRW and space exploration satellites including the NASA Lunar Flashlight orbiter.  He worked in developing materials and coatings for NASA, private commercial space launch companies, and the DOD. His focus was high-temperature oxidative resistant materials for reentry and hypersonic applications, such as iridium, ruthenium, and other platinum group elements and oxides. 

Dr. Fuerst has extensive experience in materials testing and metallurgical analysis with a background in materials characterization and failure analysis in powder metallurgy and additively manufactured components. He has also worked with energetic materials and engaged in high-strain rate dynamic testing.

Dr. Fuerst is an experienced competitive shooter and a member of the United States Practical Shooting Association where he has competed in Steel Challenge, IDPA, IPSC/USPSA, and ISSF 25-meter rapid-fire pistol.  He is also an NRA certified Range Safety Officer (RSO) and Instructor (pistol).