NPI Technical Director (New Alloy Development and R&D Leader)

Primary Responsibilities

• Manage the Cannon-Muskegon Technology Department including work assignment planning, time scale, budget, and personnel evaluations.
• Ensure Cannon-Muskegon vacuum induction melting and refining aim chemistry, raw materials, trace and tramp element and cleanliness for cast superalloys remain state of the art and that consistent heat quality, including blend heats, reflects this technology.
• Oversight for MFG changes/governance on technical changes to process and impact to quality of alloy (refractory, melt practices, etc.).
• Laboratory support for testing trends/analysis, confirmation of process control trends, troubleshooting unexpected test results.
• Introduce new alloy products for both turbine engine company (OEM) and Cannon-Muskegon proprietary superalloys to successful production status at Cannon-Muskegon.
• Achive and maintain turbine engine company approval for these new products.
• Review all incoming vacuum superalloy customer specifications with either acceptance or negotiation of technical changes.
• Ensure any process changes at Cannon-Muskegon are introduced successfully.
• Ensure our major accreditations including: NADCAP (quality dept), Turbine engine company vendor agreements/fixed process outlines are maintained and updated, as needed.
• Provide a world class technical service to both immediate casting house customers and ultimate customers. Customer support beyond making alloy – metallurgical support when slim at the customer.
• Review and present significant technical papers, particularly joint papers with the turbine engine companies, at major turbine engineering/superalloy conferences, with the objective of growing and broadening Cannon-Muskegon’s worldwide market penetration.
• Up to date with latest laboratory technology – testing capabilities.
• Manage the Cannon-Muskegon R&D budget - financial and work time scale completions.

Qualifications

• Master of Science Degree in Metallurgy, Metallurgical Engineering or Materials Engineering with emphasis on Metallurgy.
• 10-15 years’ experience in the Aerospace/IGT materials field with preferred knowledge of cast superalloys, melting and refining of superalloys and stainless steels, and strong background in physical and microstructural metallurgy.
• Excellent computer skills.
• Managerial skills.
• Excellent written, oral communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to develop and maintain good interpersonal relationships with customers at all levels, peers in the technical community and co-workers.
• Excellent knowledge of cast superalloy and cast stainless steel metallurgy.
• Knowledge of investment casting processes.
• International marketing experience and formal education - knowledge of Cannon-Muskegon's market place.
• Knowledge of airworthiness, and FDA requirements.
• Knowledge of the superalloy patent field and its associated technology/legal implications.
• Strategic thinking.
• Leadership skills.
• Business acumen.
• Entrepreneurial orientation.