Mechanical Engineer – R&D

Mechanical Engineer

At Alcoa, you will become an essential part of our purpose: to turn raw potential into real progress. The way we see it, every Alcoan is a work-shaper, team-shaper, idea-shaper & world-shaper.

Alcoa is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to support the development and commercialization of innovative technologies at the Alcoa Technical Center (ATC) in New Kensington, PA. This role combines mechanical design, equipment development, troubleshooting, and project execution within a fast-paced research and development environment. The successful candidate will collaborate with engineers, scientists, technicians, and operations partners to drive technical innovation, improve equipment performance, and deliver practical engineering solutions that support strategic business objectives.

Responsibilities include:

• Serving as a technical advisor for programs and projects, providing guidance while collaborating with cross-functional teams to achieve project objectives.
• Supporting the development, evaluation, and implementation of solutions that improve product performance, reliability, safety, and cost-effectiveness while reducing complexity and supporting continuous improvement initiatives.
• Supporting multiple capital and expense projects from concept through execution, including project scope development, budgeting, scheduling, risk assessment, resource coordination, and performance tracking to ensure successful delivery.
• Driving equipment, process, and product design improvements through analysis, testing, root cause investigations, and data-driven decision-making.
• Building and maintaining relationships with suppliers, fabricators, contractors, and external partners, providing oversight to ensure designs project deliverables met.
• Ensuring compliance with applicable engineering codes, industry standards, regulatory requirements, and company policies throughout all phases of project.
• Leading cross-functional problem-solving efforts and root cause analyses, facilitating consensus among stakeholders and implementing sustainable corrective actions for complex technical challenges.
• Managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment, demonstrating strong judgment, adaptability, and problem-solving skills when addressing critical and changing business needs.
• Creating and maintaining designs, models, and technical drawings using Solid Works, AutoCAD, or equivalent CAD platforms, ensuring compliance with engineering standards.

What you can bring to this role:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• 4–8 years of mechanical engineering.
• Proficiency with Solid Works or similar 3D CAD software.
• Experience managing engineering projects from concept through implementation.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Self-motivated, results-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Willingness to learn.
• Ability to travel up to 15%.

Preferred:

• Experience in manufacturing, industrial, R&D, or product development environments with industrial equipment, automation, manufacturing, or materials processing.
• AutoCAD experience.
• Capital project or project engineering experience.
• Experience working with suppliers, fabricators, and contractors.
• FE/PE certification or progression toward licensure

What we offer:

• Competitive compensation packages, including pay-for-performance variable pay, recognition and rewards programs.
• 401(k), employer match up to 6%, additional employer retirement income contribution (no vesting period)
• Healthcare benefits: medical, Rx, dental, vision, flexible spending account, health savings account (generous employer contribution), life and accident insurance
• Paid time off: 15 vacation days prorated in the 1st year based on hire date, 12 paid holidays, Care for Family leave and up to 5 bereavement days.

About the Location

Every day is a new and exciting challenge at the Alcoa Technical Center in New Kensington, PA, just north of Pittsburgh. We develop new technologies with our Breakthrough Technologies team that has the potential to impact the life of millions of people and foster the sustainable footprint from Alcoa to the world. It was here where we developed the technology recently announced in partnership with Rio Tinto, called ELYSIS™, where we will produce aluminum with ZERO emission of greenhouse gases.

In fact, we will actually be generating oxygen to our atmosphere during the aluminum production process– a revolution to the aluminum industry!

We are values led, vision driven and united by our purpose of transforming raw potential into real progress. Our commitment s to Inclusion, Diversity & Equity include providing trusting workplaces that are safe, respectful and inclusive of all individuals, free from discrimination, bullying and harassment and that our workplaces reflect the diversity of the communities in which we operate.

As a proud equal opportunity workplace and affirmative action employer, Alcoa is dedicated to…