Materials Development Engineer-Wet Friction

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES

The emphasis of this position is the development of new products and processes rather than basic research. An orientation towards working within a structured product design process is important.

The individual would be responsible for the development of new products and new processes as well as the evaluation of current products or process to meet customer requirements.

Responsibilities include assisting manufacturing facilities with the implementation of new products or processes and providing technical assistance to Sales Managers and Product Managers.

The individual will also work with customer engineering departments on technical data and the application of new or revised products.

• Develop friction materials in transmission and brakes for off highway (mining, construction, agriculture) and industrial applications. This will include supervising and some pilot/fabricating of test materials manufactured in plant environments.
• Have the ability to use concepts and tools of Six Sigma as a means to develop materials to meet customer requirements. These can include Design of Experiments (DOE), DFMEA, and the ability to understand a QFD (Quality Functional Deployment) to establish customer critical requirements.
• Interfaces with sales personnel in customer visits when necessary. Object is to understand conditions under which the manufactured parts must operate in the longer term.
• Interfaces with production engineering to introduce and further develop new materials.
• Assist production when difficulties occur in manufacturing parts in the engineer's product area.
• Interfaces with test engineers to develop new test methods and procedures as well as communicating how test data is analyzed and presented.
• Assist quality control when necessary.
• Assist with the creation and maintenance of ISO/QS documentation and control systems.

Minimum of a Bachelors Degree, in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Paper Science, Physics, Composite Materials & Structures, or Chemical Engineering. Masters or Advanced Technical Degree in these fields preferred, but not required.

Minimum of 2 years' experience in materials science, manufacturing, process development, product development or formulation.

Position requires a theoretical knowledge of materials science, and background in analytical techniques relating to the use of such materials. Analytical evaluation typically includes DSC, TGA, FTIR, GC Mass spectroscopy, elemental and phase identification, particle size, optical and electron microscopy, particle sizing and compound identification.

Experience with the use of these materials in friction applications such as brakes, clutches and drive trains is a plus.

Some experience with resins, organic fibers/pulps, solid lubricants, adhesives and other material systems is helpful.

Familiarity with paper and elastomeric material processing and fabrication is preferred.

Practical experience with the use of Six Sigma techniques is desirable but not essential as formal on-site training is available and encouraged.

A history of successful commercialization of wet friction materials is preferred.

Minimal up to 25%