Materials Science Engineer

With over 80 years as an industrial technology leader, Kennametal Inc. delivers productivity to customers through materials science, tooling, and wear-resistant solutions. Customers across aerospace, defense, earthworks, energy, general engineering, and transportation rely on Kennametal to manufacture with precision and efficiency. Kennametal employs approximately 8,700 people in nearly 100 countries and generated $2.1 billion in revenues in fiscal 2023.

About the role

Kennametal has an opening for an experienced candidate in Materials Science and Engineering, Chemical, Solid State, or Physical Science and Engineering at our research facility in the Pittsburgh, PA region. This hybrid position works under the supervision of the Manager to develop new materials, processes, and technology in hard metal powder design, synthesis, and application.

Responsibilities

• Establish subject matter expertise for materials, processes, and technologies for enterprise-wide support.
• Support product development, process development, intellectual property, quality, manufacturing, and EHS through the development of hardmetal powder processes for a wide variety of product platforms.
• Direct a technical Competency Team in the standardization and deployment of cost-effective processes.
• Initiate, plan, and implement technology, manufacturing, and capital projects.
• Lead, implement, and sustain local/global system improvements, including measurement system analyses to improve consistency and correlation of processes.
• Provide remote and on-site technical assistance to manufacturing as required.
• Establish a technical presence in the hardmetal community through industry association involvement and publications in relevant trade journals and conferences.
• Lead teams to resolution using data-driven analysis, decision-making, and validation.
• Author and maintain internal procedures and work instructions.
• Assist in vendor and material qualification; prepare functional specifications.
• Research, evaluate, and develop new technologies, analytical techniques, and processing methods.
• Travel up to 25%, depending on project activity.

Requirements

• Minimum of a B.S. degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Chemical, Solid State, or Physical Science and Engineering.
• Preferably three years of practical experience in one of the above fields.
• Knowledge of physical metallurgy, particularly in powdered metals, hard metal, metal alloys, or industrial ceramics is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of metal powder particle manipulation, application, surface science, chemical and physical vapor deposited coatings, and polymer science.
• Practical experience in manufacturing or lab-scale processing is a plus.

Skills

• Project management
• Process modeling and thermodynamic modeling
• Statistical data analysis
• Powder formulation and characterization
• Binder system design
• Effective verbal and written communication
• Excellent troubleshooting skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment
• Strong time management and prioritization skills
• Desire to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment