Materials Engineer (onsite)

What you will do

The Johnson Controls Global Materials Lab is seeking a highly motivated Materials Engineer to join our team in Glendale, Wisconsin. This position is primarily targeted toward entry-level or early-career candidates; however, the final job level will be based on the successful candidate's education, qualifications, technical expertise, and relevant industry experience. This role offers an excellent opportunity to support a wide range of Johnson Controls businesses, including HVAC, chillers, controls, and data center applications.

Working under the direction of the Materials Lab Manager, the Materials Engineer will perform laboratory testing, materials characterization, failure analysis, and metallurgical investigations to support product development, manufacturing, quality improvement, and customer support initiatives. The successful candidate will combine strong technical knowledge with hands-on laboratory skills to investigate material-related issues, generate data-driven conclusions, and communicate findings through professional technical reports.

This role is ideal for a candidate who enjoys working in a materials laboratory environment, solving complex engineering challenges, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to improve product performance, reliability, safety, and cost-effectiveness. This position is based at our test lab facility in Glendale, WI. Candidates must be commuting distance to the facility, or able to relocate. Various relocation packages are available.

How you will do it

• Prepare metallurgical and materials characterization samples using sectioning, mounting, grinding, polishing, and other laboratory preparation techniques.
• Conduct materials testing and analysis using laboratory equipment and analytical techniques, including optical microscopy, hardness testing, spectroscopy, thermal analysis, and other materials characterization methods.
• Perform failure analysis and root cause investigations on metallic, polymeric, ceramic, and composite materials.
• Analyze experimental data and prepare clear, concise, and technically sound laboratory reports with conclusions and recommendations.
• Support engineering, manufacturing, quality, supplier quality, and customer support teams in resolving material and process-related issues.
• Assist in evaluating new materials, manufacturing processes, and product designs to improve performance, reliability, and sustainability.
• Participate in corrective and preventive action activities by identifying material and process nonconformances and recommending effective solutions.
• Maintain laboratory equipment and ensure compliance with laboratory safety procedures and best practices.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders on testing programs, product investigations, and materials qualification projects.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance laboratory efficiency, capability, and technical excellence.

What you will need

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science & Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline from an accredited university. GPA is 3.4 or above.
• Understanding of metals, polymers, ceramics, and composite materials, including material properties, processing methods, and failure mechanisms.
• Hands-on laboratory experience gained through coursework, research, internships, co-ops, or industry experience.
• Familiarity with materials characterization techniques such as microscopy, hardness testing, spectroscopy, or thermal analysis.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated commitment to laboratory safety and safe work practices.

Preferred

• Advanced coursework or research experience in metallurgy, failure analysis, corrosion, welding, brazing, polymers, or materials characterization.
• Experience preparing metallographic specimens using lab equipment and interpreting microstructures.
• Experience operating analytical equipment such as optical microscopes, SEM/EDS, FTIR, DSC, TGA, and hardness testing equipment.
• Internship, co-op, undergraduate research, graduate research experience and/or industrial experience in a materials laboratory environment.
• Experience presenting technical findings to engineering or business audiences.
• Industry experience

Hiring Salary Range

$70,000 - $90,000 (Salary to be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data.) This position includes a competitive benefits package. The posted salary range reflects the target compensation for this role. However, we recognize that exceptional candidates may bring unique skills and experiences that exceed the typical profile.

If you believe your background warrants consideration beyond the stated range, we encourage you to apply. To support an efficient and fair hiring process, we may use technology assisted tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), to help identify and evaluate candidates. All hiring decisions are ultimately made by human reviewers.

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