*Senior Materials Engineer*

About the role

We are seeking a skilled and detail-oriented Materials Engineer to join our product development and engineering team. In this role, you will evaluate, select, develop, and test materials (such as metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites) to ensure our products meet strict mechanical, thermal, and chemical requirements. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to optimize designs and manufacturing processes, investigate material failures, and innovate new material formulations to improve product durability, safety, and efficiency.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Material Selection & Evaluation: Review engineering plans and product performance targets to recommend the most cost-effective and high-performing materials based on factors like weight, strength, cost, and environment.
• Testing & Characterization: Plan, execute, and oversee laboratory testing (such as tensile, thermal, corrosion, and microstructure analysis) to evaluate material properties and behavior.
• Failure Analysis: Lead root-cause investigations on material failures, component wear, or defects during manufacturing and field use, implementing long-term solutions to prevent recurrence.
• Process Optimization: Collaborate with manufacturing and quality teams to refine production methods (e.g., heat treating, welding, surface coating, or molding) to reduce scrap and improve throughput.
• Documentation & Standards: Establish and maintain technical material specifications, approved materials lists, test protocols, and comprehensive engineering reports. Write technical reports and present findings to stakeholders.
• Supplier Management: Partner with raw material vendors and suppliers to conduct technical audits, review material quality control data, and qualify alternative sourcing options.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Represent Albers Aerospace on-site at the customer facility.
• Manage onboarding activities for new team members.
• Mentor and support the development of training products for new engineers.
• May lead small engineering teams to support larger projects.

Additional information

Note: The duties and responsibilities described on this document are not necessarily a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time. The scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Hands-on familiarity with material characterization tools (e.g., microscopy, DMA, DSC, FTIR, or TGA testing).
• Strong command of structure-property-processing relationships in materials.
• Proficiency in data analysis, mathematical modeling, or simulation software.
• Exceptional analytical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and clear written and verbal communication skills for presenting findings to stakeholders.

Desired Skills/Abilities

Familiarity with project management principles (although this position requires daily Materials Engineering expertise and technical execution).

Minimum

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• 2-5 years of practical experience in materials testing, research and development, or manufacturing support (experience requirements vary by seniority level).
• Must be a U.S citizen. Must possess or be able to obtain a Secret security clearance.

Preferred

• Master's degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in the field or related area.
• Active security clearance.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• While primarily an office job, may require time at a manufacturing facility or other location.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• CONUS travel may be required from time to time.