Materials Engineer I - R&D and Process Development

LTS Research Laboratories•Belmont, NC

12d•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. The Materials Engineer will support research and development of new chemical compounds and advanced materials and assist in developing processes to convert raw materials and powders into finished products. The position will involve materials including metals, alloys, ceramics, inorganic compounds, rare-earth compounds, organometallic materials, and selected specialty chemicals. A major focus of the position will be developing and optimizing processes for manufacturing sputtering targets, pellets, powders, granules, and other advanced material forms.

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, 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