Materials Engineer

Materials Engineer

The Materials Engineer will research, test, and qualify materials to optimize the safety, structural integrity, and longevity of Blue Bird's school bus and commercial vehicle. This role drives innovation in light-weighting, corrosion resistance, and sustainability for both traditional and electric vehicle (EV) chassis and bodies. The Materials Engineer will serve as the company's subject matter expert for all materials used in our products and will champion innovation by leading the introduction of advanced materials which comply with strict safety, durability, and regulatory standards.

Essential duties and responsibilities include:

• Material Selection & Innovation:
  Evaluate and select metals, alloys, plastics, composites, polymers, and coatings for body structures, chassis components, and thermal management systems.
• Testing & Characterization:
  Conduct mechanical, metallurgical, and chemical testing (e.g., tensile, hardness, microscopic analysis, corrosion) to validate supplier materials.
• Failure Analysis:
  Lead comprehensive root cause analysis (RCA) on component failures from the field or production line, delivering technical reports and corrective actions.
• Supplier Quality Validation:
  Partner with Procurement and Quality teams to audit supplier manufacturing processes, establishing technical material specifications and incoming inspection standards.
• Continuous Improvement:
  Identify and drive material-substitution opportunities to reduce vehicle weight, lower manufacturing costs, and improve fuel/battery efficiency without sacrificing structural integrity.
• Regulatory & Safety Compliance:
  Ensure all engineering materials comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), environmental regulations (e.g., REACH/RoHS), and internal corporate sustainability goals.
• Cross-Functional Consultation:
  Act as the technical subject matter expert (SME) for Design Engineering and Manufacturing Operations, advising on material behavior during stamping, welding, and painting.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities for success include:

• Technical Domain Expertise: Deep understanding of metallurgy, polymer chemistry, structural composites, and material coatings (e.g. e-coat, primer, paint, and powder coating).
• Analytical Laboratory Skills: Proficiency with lab equipment such as optical microscopes, spectrometers, hardness testers, and scanning electron microscopes (SEM).
• Manufacturing Process Literacy: Solid understanding of how material properties change during automotive manufacturing processes like hot/cold stamping, robotic welding, and adhesive bonding.
• Standards & Specifications Mastery: Familiarity with ASTM, SAE, ISO, and FMVSS engineering material standards and testing protocols.
• Problem-Solving & Data Analysis: Strong data-driven troubleshooting skills with the ability to translate complex lab data into actionable engineering recommendations.

Basic education and experience required:

• Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Materials Science Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or Chemical Engineering from an accredited institution.
• Experience: Minimum of 3 to 5 years of experience in materials engineering, product development, or failure analysis within an automotive, heavy truck, or aerospace manufacturing environment.
• All candidates must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States and will be required to provide proof of employment eligibility at the time of hire.

Preferred experience:

• Direct experience working with high-strength steels (AHSS), aluminum alloys, and/or composite materials aimed at automotive vehicle weight reduction.
• Familiarity with battery-pack materials, thermal interface materials (TIMs), or high-voltage insulation systems used in Electric Vehicles (EVs).
• Advanced engineering degree, such as a Master of Science or Ph.D. in Materials Science.
• Hands-on experience utilizing Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems (e.g., Dassault Systèmes 3
  
  DEXPERIENCE) to manage material databases and technical specifications.

We value:

• Ability to anticipate and understand customer needs and provide guidance
• Excellent interpersonal and customer relationship skills to handle difficult and sensitive matters.
• Strong project management skills. Exposure to difficult or complex projects a plus.
• Ability to influence stakeholders
• Effective communication and ability to communicate complex details in a clear manner.
• Flexible work spaces and work hours to help you unleash the best you.
• Working in a collaborative team and balancing the needs of individual stakeholders while delivering corporate objectives.

Includes:

• Continued Professional Development
• Benefits including medical, dental and vision insurance, 14 paid holidays, vacation time and 401k matching

Work conditions:

• Office environment and production environment
• Must work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to heat, cold and noise
• Fast-paced production area with moving objects and sheet metal
• Occasional periods of…