Materials Engineer - Contract

Magnum Venus Products Inc•Lenoir City, TN

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About The Position

Magnum Venus Products (MVP) is a global manufacturer of fluid movement and production solutions for industrial applications in composites and adhesives markets. MVP collaborates with its customers to offer tailored production solutions to meter, mix, dispense, and apply materials. For over 80 years, MVP has been a leading equipment provider for the marine, infrastructure, pool and bath, oil & gas, transportation, aerospace, and wind industries. As a family-owned business, MVP serves its customers and communities with integrity and respect to create a better experience. Our same core values with which the company was founded on 80 years ago continue to guide us today as we create a better experience for our employees, customers, and communities. Position Summary: The Contract Materials Engineer will be engaged to evaluate the metals and materials currently used across MVP products and engineered-to-order equipment, with a specific focus on manufacturability, cost, durability, and supply chain efficiency. This role will identify opportunities to optimize material selection, reduce or eliminate secondary and outplant processes (e.g., heat treating, passivation, plating), and recommend alternative materials that improve machinability and lead time while maintaining or improving product performance and lifecycle expectations. The role is analysis- and recommendation-driven and will partner closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and key suppliers. Work Description: Material Evaluation & Optimization Review current material specifications (metals and alloys) used across standard and engineered-to-order products Assess material selection against: Mechanical performance requirements Corrosion and wear environments Expected service life and warranty expectations Manufacturability and machining efficiency Identify cases of over-specification and recommend right-sized alternatives Manufacturing & Process Simplification Evaluate opportunities to reduce or eliminate: Heat treating Passivation Plating, coating, or other secondary processes Outside processing steps that increase cost or lead time Recommend materials that: Improve machinability Reduce tool wear and cycle time Enable in-house processing where feasible Cost & Lead Time Reduction Partner with Operations and Supply Chain to quantify: Material cost savings Machining hour reductions Outplant and logistics cost reduction Lead time improvements Support make/buy and supplier capability assessments related to material changes Cross-Functional Collaboration Work closely with: Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Manufacturing Engineering Purchasing and Supply Chain Key suppliers and outside processors Provide clear technical justification and trade-off analysis to support decision-making Documentation & Recommendations Deliver structured recommendations including: Current material vs. proposed alternative Technical rationale and performance impact Manufacturing and cost implications Risks, assumptions, and validation requirements Support creation or updates to: Approved material lists Material standards and guidelines Engineering best practices for future designs

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
5+ years of experience in: Materials selection for industrial or engineered products, machining and manufacturing processes, and metals and alloys (carbon steel, stainless, aluminum, tool steels, specialty alloys)
Strong understanding of: Heat treatment processes, corrosion resistance and surface treatments, and machinability trade-offs
Proven experience working cross-functionally in manufacturing environments
Ability to lift and carry up to 25 lbs.
Other physical activity includes standing, sitting for long periods of time, reaching, grasping, stooping, pushing, kneeling, and pulling.
Ability to use PPE in a manufacturing environment where safety is priority.

Responsibilities

Review current material specifications (metals and alloys) used across standard and engineered-to-order products
Assess material selection against mechanical performance requirements, corrosion and wear environments, expected service life and warranty expectations, manufacturability and machining efficiency
Identify cases of over-specification and recommend right-sized alternatives
Evaluate opportunities to reduce or eliminate heat treating, passivation, plating, coating, or other secondary processes, and outside processing steps that increase cost or lead time
Recommend materials that improve machinability, reduce tool wear and cycle time, and enable in-house processing where feasible
Partner with Operations and Supply Chain to quantify material cost savings, machining hour reductions, outplant and logistics cost reduction, and lead time improvements
Support make/buy and supplier capability assessments related to material changes
Work closely with Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Purchasing and Supply Chain, and key suppliers and outside processors
Provide clear technical justification and trade-off analysis to support decision-making
Deliver structured recommendations including current material vs. proposed alternative, technical rationale and performance impact, manufacturing and cost implications, and risks, assumptions, and validation requirements
Support creation or updates to approved material lists, material standards and guidelines, and engineering best practices for future designs