Project Engineer (Metallurgy/Materials Science)

S&C Electric Company • Chicago, IL

35d • $96,514 - $127,887 • Onsite

About The Position

Join S&C Electric as a Project Engineer and provide advanced engineering leadership for the analytical laboratory. Serve as a technical expert in metallurgical analysis, materials characterization, failure analysis, and laboratory process improvement. This role leads complex investigations, material and supplier qualification activities, and cross-functional projects supporting manufacturing, engineering, supplier quality, and quality assurance. You will drive strategic laboratory initiatives, mentor technical staff, and develop innovative solutions to enhance product quality, reduce risk, and improve operational excellence. S&C Electric is an employee-owned company with a 100-year history of innovation, dedicated to transforming the grid for reliable power worldwide.

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.
• Bachelor's degree in Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline with relevant metallurgical laboratory experience.

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 documenting 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.
• Support selection, qualification, troubleshooting, and improvement of analytical lab equipment and methods used for metallurgical and materials evaluation.
• 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.

Benefits

• Medical & Prescription
• Dental
• Vision
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Group Life Insurance
• Optional Supplemental Life and AD&D Insurance
• Wellbeing Resources including Employee Assistance Program
• Family Forming Benefits (i.e., Adoption and Fertility support)
• Vacation Time
• Sick Time
• Paid Holidays
• Company Shutdown days
• Short-Term Disability
• Long-Term Disability
• Other Leaves
• Paid Parental Time
• Military Leave
• 401(k) Retirement Savings and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (KSOP) offering traditional and Roth 401(k) options
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) component
• Annual ESOP company contributions of over 11% of eligible earnings (3% Core, up to 3.5% Match, Variable Periodic)

What This Job Offers

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