Materials Engineer

Overview

Callaway Golf is the leading manufacturer of premium golf clubs, balls, performance gear and accessories worldwide. Through an unwavering commitment to innovation, we push the limits of performance and create demonstrably superior products designed to make every golfer a better golfer. Our company blends experience and diverse backgrounds to move the game forward, and we’re looking for top-notch people to join us in that mission.

As part of Topgolf Callaway Brands, we are a tech-enabled Modern Golf and active lifestyle company delivering leading golf equipment, apparel, and entertainment with a portfolio of brands including Topgolf, Callaway Golf, Travis Mathew, Toptracer, Odyssey, OGIO, and World Golf Tour (WGT).

Job Overview

This role will be responsible for testing, analyzing, and qualifying materials and associated processes for current and next-generation golf ball core, mantle, cover, printing and coating applications. This person will act as the liaison between R&D, manufacturing and product engineering for understanding and troubleshooting technical issues related to new and current materials in manufacturing or development processes. This person will also be required to work very closely with outside vendors in the commercialization of new materials and will have primary responsibility for all incoming quality metrics related to raw materials.

• Use analytical tools and techniques to analyze materials, compositions, or components and troubleshoot material-related problems.
• Support incoming material quality evaluations and sampling plans as directed, including:
• Sample, inspect, and test raw materials according to the incoming inspection and testing plan. Materials tested include (but are not limited to) rubbers, ionomers, urethanes, master batches, powders, and paints.
• Collect suppliers’ certificates of analysis; enter data into associated data systems, maintaining original records.
• Verify acceptability of raw materials and conformance of suppliers’ COAs to Callaway’s specifications.
• Notify appropriate personnel of the status of raw materials (release, reject, etc.).
• Work with suppliers to resolve testing discrepancies.
• Generate defective material notices upon rejection of raw material.
• Document and update incoming test procedures.
• Verify/monitor calibration of test equipment and provide routine upkeep of equipment.
• Advise supervisor/manager of equipment needs, alternate testing methods, and other incoming quality trends.

• Under the direction of management, lead the execution of studies to optimize golf ball core, mantle, and cover, and/or paint formulations with goals of maximizing product performance and reducing variation.
• Provide project timelines, status, and technical summary reports to management as required.
• Work closely with other team members to understand the projects they are working on and collaborate effectively.
• Practice effective, professional communication and collaboration within the team and between functional groups.

• Direct understanding of golf ball-related materials and processes:
• Understanding or experience with polybutadiene rubber chemistry, formulation, processing, and properties
• Understanding or experience with thermoplastics, thermosets, rheology, and application to the injection molding process
• Understanding or experience with coating chemistry, formulation, processing, and properties
• Understanding or experience with various chemical testing, mechanical testing, and other structure-property characterization techniques
• Direct experience with experimental design, execution, and analyzing results to draw conclusions
• Working knowledge of statistical analysis techniques (Six Sigma training preferred) and experience using statistical tools (Minitab, JMP, Matlab, etc.)
• Ability to communicate in technical meetings and communicate complex ideas to a broad audience
• Excellent written communication skills
• Self-motivated and driven to exceed expectations
• Strong team orientation with great interpersonal skills

• B.S. in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Chemistry, Polymer…