Materials Engineer I - R&D and Process Development

LTS Research Laboratories Inc • Belmont, NC

13d • $50,000 - $70,000 • Onsite

About The Position

LTS Research Laboratories, Inc. is a materials technology company specializing in high-purity materials, advanced inorganic materials, rare-earth materials, sputtering targets, evaporation materials, and custom materials for research and industrial applications. We are seeking an Entry-Level Materials Engineer who is interested in hands-on research, materials processing, chemical development, powder metallurgy, and advanced materials characterization. This is a laboratory and manufacturing-focused position. The successful candidate will work directly with new materials, experimental processes, analytical instruments, and production equipment rather than working exclusively at a desk.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Ceramic Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or a closely related technical field.
• Strong fundamental understanding of materials science, chemistry, and materials characterization.
• Interest in hands-on laboratory, R&D, and manufacturing work.
• Ability to analyze experimental data and troubleshoot technical problems.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate technical documentation.
• Ability to safely work with chemicals, powders, laboratory equipment, furnaces, vacuum systems, and manufacturing equipment.
• Basic computer skills including Microsoft Excel, Word, and technical data analysis.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States.
• U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents are encouraged to apply.

Nice To Haves

• Previous industrial experience is not required. New graduates are encouraged to apply.
• Experience through university laboratories, internships, research projects, or previous employment in any of the following areas is desirable: Powder metallurgy, Ceramic processing, Sputtering targets, Thin-film materials, Powder pressing and pelletization, Sintering, High-temperature furnaces, Vacuum processing, Glovebox or inert-atmosphere processing, XRD, SEM/EDS, Particle-size analysis, ICP-MS or other elemental-analysis techniques, Rare-earth materials, High-purity metals and compounds, Materials synthesis, Materials failure analysis, Experimental and statistical data analysis.
• M.S. in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field is a plus, but is not required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct R&D on new inorganic, rare-earth, organometallic, and specialty chemical materials.
• Develop and optimize synthesis, purification, heat-treatment, and materials-processing procedures.
• Develop processes for manufacturing sputtering targets from powders, including powder preparation, blending, particle-size control, pressing, sintering, heat treatment, density evaluation, grinding, and finishing.
• Operate laboratory and production-scale powder presses and assist with development of pressing parameters for pellets and sputtering targets.
• Investigate the relationship between powder characteristics, pressing conditions, sintering parameters, density, microstructure, and final material performance.
• Prepare experimental batches and scale successful laboratory processes toward production.
• Characterize raw materials, intermediate materials, and finished products using techniques including: X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), Particle Size Distribution (PSD), ICP-MS, and other chemical and materials characterization techniques as required.
• Interpret analytical results and determine whether materials meet purity, phase, particle-size, density, and compositional requirements.
• Investigate material failures, contamination, oxidation, phase changes, processing problems, and other technical issues.
• Work with high-temperature furnaces, vacuum equipment, powder-processing equipment, presses, laboratory instruments, and related manufacturing equipment.
• Handle air-sensitive, moisture-sensitive, hygroscopic, reactive, and high-purity materials using appropriate laboratory procedures and inert-atmosphere techniques when required.
• Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks, experimental records, processing parameters, and analytical data.
• Prepare technical reports, specifications, test reports, Certificates of Analysis, and internal process documentation.
• Develop and improve standard operating procedures for laboratory and manufacturing processes.
• Support incoming raw-material qualification and finished-product quality control.
• Assist with technical evaluation of customer specifications and custom material requirements.
• Work closely with production, quality, technical sales, and management to transition successful R&D projects into repeatable manufacturing processes.
• Maintain laboratory safety, cleanliness, chemical labeling, proper material storage, and compliance with established safety procedures.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Health insurance benefits
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Paid vacation
• Paid sick leave
• Paid company holidays
• Professional development and hands-on technical training
• Opportunities for career growth and advancement
• Exposure to advanced materials, analytical technologies, and manufacturing processes
• Opportunity to work directly on R&D projects from laboratory development through production

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level