Manager Materials & Heat Treatment, MPD

SKF, reducing friction since 1907, re-imagines rotation for a better tomorrow. As an industry-leading manufacturer, SKF drives the industries that support daily life—from food production to space exploration. Sustainability is central to our operations, with a goal to decarbonize all production facilities by 2030. Guided by collaboration, curiosity, courage, and care, SKF fosters a culture of belonging where employees can grow their careers in an equitable environment.

About the role

Lead and advance materials engineering, heat treatment, and special process capabilities by integrating scientific rigor, digitalization, maintenance excellence, and sustainable practices. This role enables reliable, cost-competitive, and high-performance manufacturing operations that support business growth in alignment with regional strategy.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute heat treatment technology strategy aligned with business growth, cost competitiveness, and sustainability objectives.
• Serve as Subject Matter Expert (SME) for special processes including heat treatment, NDT, passivation, surface treatment, particle analysis, and metallurgical testing.
• Deliver strategic Capex and new heat treatment technology deployment from concept, validation, and scale-up through full industrialization.
• Lead industrialization of advanced thermal processes, including induction hardening, vacuum hardening, annealing, and emerging heat treatment technologies.
• Drive digitalization of heat treatment operations through real-time process monitoring, data-driven control, predictive analytics, traceability, and Industry 4.0 integration.
• Establish and lead maintenance excellence programs using preventive, predictive, and condition-based strategies to ensure equipment reliability and process stability.
• Validate materials and process capability using microstructural characterization, hardness evaluation, case depth analysis, retained austenite measurement, and mechanical property testing.
• Ensure metallurgical control and process adherence by defining and sustaining robust process windows and quality assurance methods.
• Create and release FMEA and control plans for new products or process changes.
• Ensure compliance with CQI-9, NADCAP, AS9100, and all applicable customer, regulatory, and global heat treatment quality requirements.
• Maintain heat treatment equipment certification, pyrometry, calibration standards, and adherence to special process requirements.
• Build and lead a high-performing technical special process team across heat treatment, metallurgy laboratory, and NDT; drive training, certification, and succession planning.
• Drive cost optimization through material selection, process efficiency, waste reduction, and VAVE initiatives without compromising performance or compliance.
• Lead energy efficiency and CO₂ reduction projects by advancing cleaner technologies and improving thermal efficiency.
• Collaborate with global technology centers and cross-functional teams to standardize best practices and accelerate innovation.
• Provide technical leadership and decision support across engineering, operations, quality, and product development functions.
• Conduct failure investigations and root cause analysis using fractography, metallography, hardness mapping, and process correlation.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s in Metallurgical/Materials Engineering with 7–10 years of experience in design, process, or manufacturing engineering; or a Master’s/PhD with 4–6 years of relevant experience.
• Certified Six Sigma Black Belt with DFSS and GPM2 training preferred.
• ASNT Level III certification preferred.
• Exposure to Machine Learning and AI is desirable.
• Travel expectation: 15-20%.

Skills

• Expertise in manufacturing processes and process design.
• Deep knowledge of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), and Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a track record of delivering business objectives.
• Extensive experience in cross-functional and global teams.
• Numerically astute with the ability to develop and execute objectives for self and others.
• Demonstrated commercial and financial acumen in driving value-based decisions.
• Proficient in engineering drawing interpretation (GD&T) for design and manufacturing alignment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Pay

Salary range: $123,000 to $139,000 per year.

Benefits

• Generous PTO policy and 13 paid holidays.
• Comprehensive healthcare options with opt-out payment.
• Company-paid life insurance, short-term disability (STD), and long-term disability (LTD).
• Supplemental benefits including critical illness coverage and tuition reimbursement.
• Employee discount programs.
• STVS (Short Term Variable Salary) or Sales Incentive based on company performance.
• 401K program with a 10% employer contribution: 100% match up to 5% of elected contribution (100% vested) plus an additional 5% company contribution.