R&D Engineer

POSITION PURPOSE

The primary focus of this position is physical metallurgy with expertise in heat treatment of products. The position will be involved in activities related to alloy development and process optimization to ensure that finished products meet necessary properties for various applications.

In this role, the incumbent will supervise research technicians and/or coop students, and frequently provides technical direction to less experienced Research Engineers. The incumbent will work in the SSAB state-of-the-art Research and Development Facility located in Muscatine, Iowa. The position reports to the Director, Research and Development and has a close working relationship with other R&D staff, Technical Services, Applications Engineering, and Operations personnel.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Oversees the heat treatment lab and mechanical testing related to qualification of heat treated products. Provides support to the Technical Services group at the production facility by developing practices for optimizing heat treatment and product performance. This includes conducting laboratory experiments and metallographic investigation for process and product developments. 
• As an individual researcher, applies innovative technology to resolve processing or product application problems.
• Propose, plan and direct projects. This includes training personnel to prepare laboratory samples, conduct experiments, and record data.
• Recommends capital and expense items related to laboratory or operating facility upgrades
• Independently interprets data and makes recommendations to management
• Interacts independently with plant operating and technical services personnel on project or technical service activities (planning, execution and reporting)
• Prepares clear and concise written and oral reports. Presents technical papers within and outside the company, and may be active on professional or industry committees.  Prepare technical literature to support company marketing efforts and intellectual property applications
• Consults interdepartmentally and may serve on corporate task forces or cross-functional project teams, for example, leading project development team.
• Stays abreast of new technologies and competitive products related to the company’s business objectives
• May serve as a team leader and frequently provides technical direction and supervision to less-experienced research engineers, research technicians and/or coop students.
• Interacts with SSAB researchers/technical specialists outside the US
• May represent the company on professional, standards or scientific society committees
• Demonstrates a good knowledge of standards and regulation requirements related to steel products.

QUALIFICATIONS

Competencies and Experience

Required:

• Strong knowledge and skills specific to the theory and practice of the industrial heat treatment of steel products
• A deep understanding of Physical Metallurgy principles with expertise in the ways that processing develops steel microstructures and how steel microstructures influence steel properties
• Strong written and verbal communication skills – capable of communicating and working well with senior operating and commercial personnel
• Fully computer literate
• Strong analytical capability to resolve processing or product application problems
• Ability to work independently or in a team environment and capable of leading a team
• Professional recognition and integrity to interact with colleagues and other professionals outside the company (government agencies, consulting firms and academic institutions) as well as the aptitude to interact with customers on inquiries and concerns
• Demonstrated ability in extending and applying state-of-the-art technology
• Prior experience conducting research related to industrial heat treatment of steel products is strongly preferred. 
• Regular and reliable attendance

Education

Required:

• MSc. in Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related discipline with some coursework relating to the heat treatment of steel

Preferred:

• PhD. in Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline
• Significant prior experience at the Senior Research Engineer level
• Educational background in material science, and a strong knowledge of heat treatment process
• Authorship of multiple academic publications related to physical metallurgy

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The employee will frequently be required to:

• This position operates in an office environment.  The role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, network tools/equipment, phones, photocopiers and scanners. This role is partially sedentary (average of 6 hours per day), however, some standing and walking is required.
• The position requires working with laboratory equipment such as optical microscopes, SEM/EDS, bend testing, polishing machines, hardness testing, tensile testing, CVN testing, DWTT machine, band saws, thermal cutting, waterjet cutting, surface grinder, heat treating furnaces, and crane.
• The position requires preparing various acid solutions for etching steel specimens such as sulfuric acid, picric acid, oxalic, nital etc.

The employee will occasionally be required to:

• This position will periodically require work in the mill and in the field environment with some exposure to heat/cold, walking, climbing stairs/ladders, noise and wearing safety equipment/clothing for protection from hazards
• Some handling of materials is required.  This would require the ability to walk, bend, kneel or stand, use of hands to finger, hold and handle, reach with hands and arms and to push/pull, lift or carry items up to 50 lbs.
• Drive or travel by airplane

The position requires the following vision and hearing capabilities:

• Talking person to person, on the phone, and/or in group settings
• Hearing in person, on the phone, and/or in group settings
• Vision at near, mid, and far range

POSITION TYPE – WORK HOURS - TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• Position is full time, exempt
• Position works an eight (8) hour day shift, Monday through Friday – additional overtime as needed
• Onsite office presence is required
• Travel for this position is necessary and expected to comprise up to 20-25% of work hours – some international travel is possible

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.