Materials Engineer, Engine Design

Toyota • Costa Mesa, CA

1d

About The Position

Toyota Racing Development (TRD) is seeking a Materials Engineer to support engine design and motorsports engineering. The role serves as the team’s materials analysis specialist, investigating failed or damaged components, identifying root causes, and recommending corrective actions. It provides materials engineering support to Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality Control, and team partners, including guidance on materials selection, heat treatment, coatings, and processing. The work involves operating optical and scanning electron microscopes, applying metrology and EDS analysis, preparing metallurgical samples, evaluating manufacturing processes, and carrying out statistical analysis of material and failure trends. The position requires managing several investigations and tasks in parallel under tight timelines while maintaining high-quality work. Frequent extended working hours and occasional weekend work are expected. Occasional local and air travel, as well as periodic domestic and international travel, is required for vendor, supplier, laboratory, and partner visits.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Materials Engineering, Materials Science, or Metallurgy.
• Previous operational experience with SEM instruments.
• Intimate familiarity with modern materials, their heat treatment, processing techniques, and microstructures, especially high-strength steels, aluminum, and titanium alloys.
• Sound understanding of material phase diagrams and the chemical interactions of metals.
• High level of computer and engineering software literacy.
• Excellent investigative, analytical, and report-writing skills.
• Self-motivation, ability to work semi-independently, and initiative to do more than is immediately obvious.
• Excellent interpersonal skills for working with personnel across internal departments, external suppliers, and vendors.
• Good vision for assessing digital images, examining components and specimens for fine detail, and prolonged optical microscopy.
• Ability to sit at a computer or desk and traverse large factory facilities for supplier audits and inspections.
• Availability for frequent extended working hours and occasional weekend work.
• Ability to travel occasionally locally and by air, and periodically domestically and internationally.

Nice To Haves

• Previous operational experience with industrial CT instruments.
• Proficiency in MATLAB, Visual Basic, or similar software.

Responsibilities

• Regularly analyze failed or damaged components and assemblies to determine root causes and serve as the team’s materials analysis specialist.
• Operate optical and scanning electron microscopes (SEM) for failure analysis and daily work; apply basic metrology principles and use digital cameras and software to document findings.
• Apply an understanding of EDS analysis principles using SEM on a regular basis.
• Arrange specialized external testing and evaluation techniques when required.
• Prepare daily failure investigation reports, including written and photographic findings and recommendations for corrective action.
• Provide engineering support on materials selection, heat treatment, coating, and processing to Engineering, Manufacturing, and team partners.
• Support Quality Control initiatives by ensuring components meet defined material and heat-treatment requirements.
• Regularly evaluate component manufacturing processes and advise on continuous improvement.
• Prepare metallurgical samples and measure material hardness as needed, assessing the results.
• Lead statistical analysis projects to monitor or identify trends in hardness, micro cleanliness, failures, or other metallurgical characteristics, and direct the methodology and tools used.
• Manage multiple investigations and job tasks in parallel under tight timelines while maintaining high work-product quality.
• Travel to vendors, laboratories, suppliers, and partners locally, domestically, and internationally as required.

Benefits

• Professional growth and development programs.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Team Member Vehicle Purchase Discount.
• Toyota Team Member Lease Vehicle Program, if applicable.
• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans for the entire family.
• Flexible work options based on business needs.
• Toyota 401(k) Savings Plan with company match and an annual retirement contribution regardless of employee contribution.
• Paid holidays and paid time off.
• Referral services related to prenatal services, adoption, childcare, schools, and more.
• Tax-advantaged accounts, including Health Savings Account, Health Care FSA, and Dependent Care FSA.

What This Job Offers

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