Project Engineer (Metallurgy/Materials Science)

S&C Electric Company•Chicago, IL

35d•Onsite

About The Position

As an S&C Electric team member, you’ll work on projects that have real-world impact. You’ll help transform the grid for resilient and reliable power worldwide. S&C has more than a 100-year history of innovation and has been 100% employee-owned since 2012. We continue this legacy as a trusted, forward-thinking leader in the electrical industry. You will advance a safer, more reliable, and more resilient electrical grid. Our products help the grid adapt to severe weather and transition to clean energy. We’re big enough to be a respected industry leader but small enough for you to impact our company directly. Our commitment gives you opportunities to impact on and off the job positively. Join S&C to make an impact on tomorrow’s energy challenges and become an employee-owner!

Requirements

5+ years of progressively responsible experience in metallurgical engineering, materials characterization, failure analysis, analytical laboratory operations, or related manufacturing-support engineering functions.
Advanced knowledge of metallurgical principles, including microstructure, heat treatment, mechanical properties, corrosion, fracture behavior, welding metallurgy, coatings, plating, and common metallic material families.
Experience leading complex metallurgical investigations, root cause analyses, corrective action support, supplier quality investigations, and production-support problem solving.
Experience with metallographic sample preparation, sectioning, mounting, grinding, polishing, etching, optical microscopy, SEM/EDS, hardness testing, micro-hardness testing, coating evaluation, fracture analysis, and interpretation of metallurgical results.
Experience operating, troubleshooting, or improving metals analysis equipment such as carbon/sulfur analyzers, X-Ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometers, hardness testers, micro-hardness testers, microscopes, and related sample preparation equipment.
Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, material specifications, purchase specifications, inspection plans, test requirements, and industry standards.
Ability to lead cross-functional projects from problem definition through implementation, including project planning, risk assessment, stakeholder communication, technical decision-making, and verification of effectiveness.
Strong analytical and statistical problem-solving skills with the ability to identify trends, evaluate process variation, recommend practical corrective actions, and support data-driven decisions.
Strong technical writing and presentation skills, including the ability to prepare investigation reports, laboratory reports, technical recommendations, standards, work instructions, and management-level summaries.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced laboratory environment while supporting production, engineering development work, supplier investigations, and quality-related requests.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to collaborate respectfully, influence technical decisions, and build effective relationships across manufacturing, engineering, quality, supplier quality, purchasing, and operations teams.
Good computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and data analysis tools used to summarize laboratory results, identify trends, and support decisions.
Commitment to laboratory safety, quality, continuous improvement, accuracy, timely support of business needs, and operational excellence.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with ASTM, SAE, ISO, ASM, AWS, or other industry standards related to metallurgical testing, materials analysis, coatings, plating, welding, or heat treatment.
Experience working in a manufacturing-support analytical laboratory with responsibility for production support, engineering development work, method improvement, and timely technical reporting.
Experience leading laboratory equipment selection, qualification, method development, capability improvement, or laboratory modernization projects.
Knowledge of statistical analysis software (Minitab).
ASQ Six Sigma Certification

Responsibilities

Serve as the laboratory subject matter expert for metallurgy, materials science, coatings, plating, heat treatment, welding, and failure analysis.
Provide technical guidance, work prioritization, and mentoring to laboratory personnel involved in metals analysis activities.
Improve analytical laboratory processes, test methods, sample preparation practices, turn-around time, data quality, and workflow efficiency through standardization, troubleshooting, method refinement, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Collect, review, analyze, and summarize metallurgical and materials test data.
Prepare clear technical reports that document test methods, observations, results, conclusions, and recommendations for technical and non-technical audiences.
Support qualification of new materials, suppliers, processes, coatings, heat treatments, and manufacturing methods through metallurgical evaluation and technical risk assessment.
Develop, review, and maintain laboratory procedures, work instructions, inspection criteria, test methods, and material evaluation guidelines to ensure consistency, repeatability, and compliance with applicable internal and industry standards.
Support selection, qualification, troubleshooting, and improvement of analytical lab equipment and methods used for metallurgical and materials evaluation.
Partner with maintenance, vendors, and internal teams to sustain equipment reliability and capability.
Collaborate with manufacturing, engineering, supplier quality, quality assurance, purchasing, and operations teams to resolve material and process concerns, support new product or supplier qualification, and provide practical technical guidance.
Understand and comply with all applicable Company policies, safety requirements, laboratory practices, and quality system expectations.
Maintain regular and punctual attendance.
Attend in-person or virtual meetings as requested or required.
Communicate effectively and respectfully with others.
Other responsibilities as assigned.