Materials Engineer

Materials Science Engineer

Location: Irvine, CA

Shift: 1st shift

Position Summary

Responsible for oversight of aerospace materials and process suppliers through on-site and virtual audits, failure analysis, and technical project management. Performs metallurgical investigations using tools such as SEM/EDS, stereomicroscopes, and metallography. Manages scope, cost, and schedules for assigned engineering projects, provides technical leadership, and serves as a key interface with customers and suppliers.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct on-site and remote supplier audits for processes such as heat treating, electroplating, anodizing, plasma spray, welding, machining, etc.
• Identify process gaps, implement corrective actions, and ensure supplier compliance.
• Perform detailed failure analysis using fractography, SEM/EDS, metallographic methods, and image analysis.
• Prepare formal technical reports with root-cause findings and corrective actions.
• Present investigation results clearly to internal teams, customers, and suppliers.
• Manage multiple investigations simultaneously and provide regular status updates.
• Monitor project budgets, expenditures, contractor activities, and ensure work stays within cost/schedule constraints.
• Maintain engineering documentation, project files, and consistent standards.
• Support customer programs, negotiate requirement changes, and maintain strong customer relationships.
• Stay current with materials science technologies, industry standards, and professional development.
• Mentor junior engineers and act as a technical specialist when required.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Aerospace Engineering (with materials emphasis).
• 2–4 years of relevant experience, preferably in aerospace materials and processes.
• Strong technical knowledge in:
• Corrosion protection, coatings, platings, inhibitors
• Heat treating of ferrous/non-ferrous alloys
• Forging, extrusion, rolling, casting processes
• Welding, brazing, inertia welding & joint microstructure analysis
• Fatigue & fracture mechanics of high-strength metals
• Wear & galling resistant materials/coatings
• Materials selection for varied environments
• Metallurgical failure analysis (SEM, EDS, metallography)
• NDT/NDE methods for fracture-critical components
• Thermodynamics, phase transformations, kinetics
• Polymer science and composite/ceramic materials
• Electronic material properties (conductors, semiconductors)
• Industry/government specifications
• Strong communication, presentation, and technical writing skills.
• Proficient in engineering software, data analysis tools, and project management methods.
• Ability to lead tasks, track milestones, and support cross-functional engineering teams.