Materials Engineer

Role Purpose

In this role, the Material Engineer will support material, process, and manufacturing performance within plant operations by improving process capability, enhancing product quality, and investigating material and process-related issues. The role also contributes to the implementation of new materials and manufacturing technologies while working cross-functionally with operations, quality, engineering, and product development teams to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and ensure products consistently meet customer and internal performance requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead qualification and release of new materials, taking technical ownership while collaborating cross-functionally to ensure quality and seamless production integration.
• Collaborate with vendors to clearly communicate material requirements and ensure readiness to meet quality and delivery expectations.
• Lead and support process improvement trials and manufacturing studies to identify root causes of variation, defects, and process upsets.
• Apply statistical and data analysis methods to evaluate process performance, reduce yield loss, and improve efficiency.
• Investigate material-related defects, nonconformances, and failure mechanisms; implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Evaluate material properties and process capability to ensure alignment with product specifications and customer requirements.
• Support finished product quality through inspection methods, testing, data analysis, and process control improvements.
• Partner with production, quality, and engineering teams to implement sustainable process and performance improvements.
• Provide technical support for plant operations related to material selection, process conditions, and performance issues.
• Communicate findings, recommendations, and project updates to stakeholders.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, productivity, and cost reduction.

Qualifications - Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Chemical, Mechanical, Metallurgical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Over two years of experience in materials, process, or manufacturing engineering in an industrial environment.
• Experience in manufacturing with responsibility for process improvement, quality, or material performance.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with data-driven decision-making ability.
• Experience with root cause analysis, defect investigation, and corrective action implementation.
• Working knowledge of material properties and their impact on manufacturing processes and product performance.
• Experience designing, executing, and documenting experiments, trials, or validation activities.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with production, quality, maintenance, and engineering teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Qualifications - Preferred

• Experience in panel manufacturing, composites, glass, ceramics, metals, or engineered materials.
• Familiarity with statistical tools and methods (SPC, DOE, Minitab, or similar).
• Experience with process control, Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies.
• Knowledge of failure analysis and material characterization techniques.
• Project management experience supporting manufacturing or process improvements.

Key Skills

• Materials analysis & application
• Manufacturing process support
• Root cause analysis
• Statistical analysis & data interpretation
• Process optimization
• Defect characterization
• Technical documentation
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Continuous improvement
• Problem-solving & decision-making