Materials Science Engineer

Description:

Kinetic are seeking to recruit an experienced Materials Science Engineer for a 12 Month Contract in Huddersfield!

Initial assignment duration: 12 months with possibility for extension or transition into a perm contract.
This is a 100% onsite role

- 1 or 2 years of experience in a similar role is required.
- A Bachelors or Masters in Materials Science / Engineering or a relevant discipline is preferred but not necessary.
- Previous automotive industry experience would be beneficial but is not mandatory.

The ideal candidate would have experience in:
- Aluminium alloys
- Failure analysis and/or problem solving
- Industrial experience

Job Description:

This Materials Science Engineer role utilises knowledge of a materials science and engineering to lead laboratory requests and small projects related to:
- Testing and approval of components against internal specification requirements working with laboratory equipment and external suppliers where required.
- Provide feedback to design reviews utilising materials science knowledge and understanding suitability of materials for the applications
- Failure analysis of test and field components utilising problem solving techniques
- Supporting R&D projects related to, but not limited to, aluminium components and their processing.

The role requires close interaction, largely virtually, with teams based across the globe in R&D, Platform, Supplier Quality, and Laboratory Operations and Service Engineering. The engineer will provide materials science and engineering guidance with regards to test planning, laboratory techniques, analysis of test samples and data and providing recommendations to the business in terms of product quality and manufacturing.

Aims of the Position:
1. Support the materials engineering team at Cummins Engine Components with laboratory requests relating to, though not limited to, aluminium components and processing technology
2. Provide guidance to non-materials science teams on practical solutions and recommendations for materials selection, testing requirements and failure analysis.
3. Creating robust documentation and best practice for the organisation.

Main Duties of the Employee:
1. Work with internal design teams to conduct materials laboratory work to determine if products meet their specification requirements.
2. Support supplier quality investigations and provide guidance, plan and carry out suitable test methods to determine root cause of potential issues.
3. Carry out failure analysis investigations on tested components.
4. Maintain and develop databases of materials test data.
5. Provide Materials Science and Engineering support to other Advanced Engineering (R&D) projects as requested by your line manager.

Equipment or Software Knowledge Required:
1. Knowledge and experience of using materials characterisation equipment, such as metallographic preparation, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy is required.
2. Knowledge of and experience of using Microsoft Office tools is required.

Employee Competencies:
1. Material characterisation - Interprets mechanical, chemical, microstructural and physical properties using laboratory equipment to confirm compliance to print, and correlates these properties with field or component test results to determine robustness; defines appropriate material characterisation schedule using correct laboratory equipment to ensure requirements are met.
2. Component failure analysis - Analyses specimen physical and chemical properties using applicable laboratory equipment to identify failure mode and mechanism; evaluates design intent, manufacturing, processing in accordance with established processes and operational history, print requirements, part function and failure mode to determine root cause(s); recommends corrective actions considering material limitations and manufacturing constraints to protect the customer and prevent reoccurrence.
3. Component material and process selection - Evaluates component requirements regarding form and function in order to identify base material and processing options; selects manufacturing route and selects material and process based on best-fit option(s) aligned to requirements; validates selected material and process by defining necessary test plan to prove capability to requirements.
4. Technical documentation - Documents information based on knowledge gained as part of technical function activities; communicates to stakeholders with the goal of enabling improved technical productivity and effective knowledge transfer to others who were not originally part of the initial learning.
5. Communicates effectively - Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
6. Drives results - Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances.
7. Collaborates - Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
8. Builds networks - Effectively building formal and informal relationship networks inside and outside the organisation.
9. Effective decision quality - Making good and timely decisions that keep the organisation moving forward.

Qualifications Required: Bachelors or Masters in Materials Science and Engineering or a relevant discipline is required.

Level of Experience Required:
1. Equivalent work experience in Materials Science and Engineering or a relevant discipline area is required.
2. Experience of applying science to resolve problems in industry is required.
3. Laboratory experience, including sample preparation, microscopy, analysis and reporting is required.
4. Experience of the automotive industry would be beneficial.
5. Experience of problem solving and component failure analysis would be beneficial.

Employee Personality:
1. Works effectively within a fast-paced, cross-functional team.
2. Effectively listens and responds to direction from both line manager and peers.
3. Be willing to offer opinion and provide direction to colleagues based on technical data and knowledge