R&D Materials Engineer

Job Summary

Materials engineer collaborates and works with Engineers and Technicians in the R&D group to develop new products from advanced ceramic and metal matrix composite materials.

Activities include hands-on prototyping, continuous improvement of processes, testing, reporting, and interfacing with vendors, customers and various internal departments.

Work functions are broad and can include design, mold production, fabrication of fixtures, processing of materials (powder processing, mixing, furnacing, other), materials testing (in-process measurements, post-fabrication properties, other), process optimization (cycle time, quality, yield), and data collection.

In addition, work with external sources will leverage internal capabilities in the areas of toll processing, materials characterization, plating/coating and application tests.

All results will be documented (data summaries, Work Instructions, reports).

Successful new products will be transferred to manufacturing (specifying equipment, training personnel, monitoring results).

Position includes participation in Lean, Six-sigma, Kaizen, FMEA, 6S, and yield enhancement activities.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities


* Engineering prototyping with advanced composite materials, including design input, equipment programming, equipment operation, powder processing, furnacing, and inspection


* Develop and improve production methods for ceramic-based composite materials


* Perform materials characterization for microstructure, composition, mechanical behavior and thermal properties


* Generate PC-based outputs on standard platforms (Office, Agile, Oracle, Cumulus, Creo, Solidworks, others)


* Continuous improvement via participation in Lean/Kaizen, ISO, 8D and other related activities


* Interface with outside entities (customers, tooling suppliers, equipment vendors, toll manufacturers and test labs)


* Transfer successful products to Manufacturing, including writing documentation, specifying equipment, conducting training, and monitoring results

Education & Experience


* BS in Materials Engineering (or equivalent engineering education)


* 0 to 5 years of experience in advanced materials field

Skills


* Experience processing advanced materials (ceramics, metal matrix composites, other)


* Background with materials processing equipment (powders, furnaces, mixers)


* Knowledge of materials characterization methods (SEM, PSD, wet chemistry, thermal properties, mechanical properties)


* Aptitude for external interfacing with both vendors and customers

Working Conditions


* Position requires on-site activities for prototype fabrication (this is not a work from home position).


* Work schedule is 5 days, 40 hrs per week, first shift.

Physical Requirements

Hands-on, lab-based job environment:


* Required to frequently lift/push/pull a minimum of 35 lbs


* Must be able to sit, bend, squat and walk about facility


* Dependi...