Materials Science Engineering Manager

Swagelok Company•Solon, OH

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Leads the Materials Science & Technology (MSAT) team within Swagelok’s Engineering organization, managing a team of materials scientists and engineers who support both day-to-day operational needs and research & development. Provides deep technical leadership in materials characterization, failure analysis, materials selection, corrosion, chemistry, chemical proceses, and surface engineering across Swagelok’s product portfolio and manufacturing operations. Drives a balanced project agenda of business sustaining initiatives and knowledge and longer-horizon R&D. Partners with cross-functional teams — including Sourcing, Product Engineering, Manufacturing, Product Investigations and Quality — to translate materials science expertise into measurable business outcomes.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Polymer Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field required; Master’s degree strongly preferred, PHD desired.
Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in materials science, metallurgy, or a related engineering discipline.
Minimum 3–5 years of experience in a formal leadership role managing engineers or technical professionals.
Demonstrated track record of managing both business sustaining/operational and R&D/innovation work simultaneously in an industrial or manufacturing environment.
Proven ability to translate materials science expertise into practical engineering and business solutions, including cost-benefit analysis of technical decisions.
Managing Complexity: Analyzes multifaceted technical and organizational problems and distills them into clear, actionable plans; comfortable operating with ambiguity and competing priorities.
Interpersonal Savvy: Builds strong, trust-based relationships across functions and levels of the organization; communicates with clarity, empathy, and credibility.
Influence: Drives alignment and commitment without direct authority; effectively advocates for team direction, resources, and technical priorities.
Organizational Agility: Understands how to navigate organizational dynamics to accomplish goals; adapts leadership approach based on context and stakeholder needs.
Business & Financial Acumen: Applies cost-vs-impact thinking to materials R&D decisions; understands the financial implications of technical choices and communicates them clearly.
Developing Direct Reports & Others: Actively builds bench strength; creates meaningful development plans and career pathways for team members; invests in talent retention.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in precision manufacturing, fluid handling, or related industries preferred.
Knowledge of Swagelok products, fluid system components, Semiconductor or Oil/Gas/Chemical applications preferred
Strategic Mindset: Connects MSAT capabilities to Swagelok’s longer-term product, materials, and market strategy.
Decision Quality: Makes sound decisions under uncertainty, drawing on data, stakeholder input, and materials science expertise.
Cross-functional Knowledge: Builds familiarity with Sourcing, Product Management, Marketing, and Manufacturing/Operations to increase organizational impact.
External Market Awareness: Develops ongoing knowledge of emerging materials technologies, supplier landscape, and competitive dynamics relevant to Swagelok’s business.

Responsibilities

Lead, develop, and retain a team of materials scientists, engineers, and technicians; set clear performance expectations, provide ongoing coaching, and build succession depth within the team.
Direct the MSAT team’s project portfolio, balancing near-term operational support with longer-range R&D investments and ensuring alignment with business priorities.
Apply cost-vs-impact thinking to prioritize materials research projects; evaluate and communicate the business value of R&D investments to senior leadership.
Oversee materials characterization, failure analysis, material selection, corrosion, chemistry, chemical processes, surface engineering, and related laboratory activities.
Define and communicate a clear team strategy aligned with Swagelok’s broader engineering and product development objectives.
Manage department operating budget including planning, tracking variances, identifying cost-reduction opportunities, and overseeing capital equipment investments.
Build and sustain relationships with external research institutions, suppliers, and industry networks to maintain awareness of advances in materials science and emerging technologies.
Drive talent development through structured individual development plans, mentoring, and targeted training programs; actively engage in succession planning.
Communicate departmental project status, resource needs, and strategic priorities to senior leadership through regular reporting and presentations.
As a leader, you are expected to know, enforce, and appropriately escalate all Swagelok associate policies.
Other duties as assigned.