Job Summary
The Senior Materials Engineer serves as a senior technical authority responsible for leading material selection, development, and qualification across the product lifecycle. In this role, you will drive data-based decisions for new product development and manufacturing, ensuring all materials meet rigorous performance and regulatory standards. You will lead complex failure investigations and root-cause analyses to mitigate risks and improve product reliability. Beyond technical execution, you will influence enterprise-wide material strategies and mentor early-career engineers to foster a culture of technical excellence.
Salary Range $115k-$162k
Responsibilities
- Serve as the subject matter expert (SME) for engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain functions, providing final approval on material specifications and standards.
- Lead the selection and validation of metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites, overseeing comprehensive characterization and testing plans.
- Direct root-cause investigations for manufacturing non-conformances and field returns, applying materials science fundamentals to develop corrective actions.
- Partner with design and manufacturing teams to optimize material processing, improve production yields, and ensure supply continuity.
- Coach junior engineers and influence enterprise-wide best practices and long-term materials technology roadmaps.
- Ensure all materials meet global regulatory and safety standards while driving initiatives for cost optimization and environmental impact reduction.
Preferred Skills
- Master's or PhD in Materials Science or a related engineering discipline.
- Experience working within high-reliability or strictly regulated sectors such as Aerospace, Medical Devices, or Energy.
- Technical familiarity with Nickel/Chromium based alloys.
- Proficiency in statistical analysis, Design of Experiments (DOE), or material modeling software.
- Background in supporting product commercialization and advanced manufacturing environments.
- A track record of patents, publications, or significant recognized technical achievements.
Required Skills
- Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, Polymer Science, or a related field.
- At least 10 years of progressive experience in materials engineering or materials science roles.
- Proven mastery of materials characterization, selection methodologies, and lifecycle management.
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex technical projects and influence cross-functional stakeholders without formal authority.
- Strong written and verbal skills for technical reporting and organizational knowledge sharing.