The Research Engineer will contribute to driving R&D initiatives within a dynamic industrial setting focusing on the development of new products, services, and basic knowledge of steel casting fluxes (mold powder for continuous casting of steel) and raw materials. The role encompasses applications in continuous casting of steel. This position bridges laboratory research and plant operations, emphasizing sustainable solutions, process efficiencies, and delivering high-quality results for industrial clients worldwide.
Responsibilities
- Project Management :
- Define research programs aligned with new product and service objectives.
- Organize and execute laboratory-scale R&D projects.
- Perform tasks/projects and ensure quality, cost-effectiveness, and timeliness.
- Develop materials and processes supporting related projects.
- Maintain regular reporting on project progress and outcomes.
- Supervise customer sample preparation and optimize products based on feedback.
- Monitor technical advancements in the market, including patents and scientific publications.
- Consolidate fundamental knowledge on steel casting fluxes and associated raw materials.
- Laboratory Research and Data Management :
- Plan research activities including experiments, characterization, and analytics.
- Manage, analyze, and document data from lab activities.
- Maximize data collection value from R&D, production, and quality assurance.
- Develop project reviews, technical reports, and presentations with clarity and precision.
- Document knowledge and findings in technical memos and share with stakeholders.
- Utilize project management tools (e.g., Vantage) for deliverables and resource planning.
- Organize stage-gate meetings and prioritize multiple projects.
- External Collaboration and Scientific Contributions :
- Prepare papers, proposals, and presentations for conferences, congresses, and seminars.
- Build external collaborations and networks to share and extend expertise.
- Address intellectual property topics, support evaluations, and assist in patent filings.
Requirements
- PhD or Master’s degree in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Mineralogy, or a related engineering field with a focus on casting fluxes (mold powder), glass chemistry, or slag-liquid steel interactions.
- 3+ years of experience in R&D, project management, or product development, preferably in/for a steel plant.
- Comprehensive knowledge of continuous steel casting processes, mineralogy, ceramic raw materials for casting fluxes, and high-temperature melting/solidification mechanisms.
- Proficiency in thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, and thermodynamic calculation tools (e.g., FactSage).
- Knowledge of analytical techniques such as high-temperature viscosimetry, hot stage microscopy, TG/DTA, XRD, and Rietveld refinement is desirable.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data analysis skills.
- Excellent technical writing and presentation skills, including summarizing results for stage-gate meetings.
- Motivated, adaptable, innovative, and proactive in facing challenges.
- Ability to work in an international environment, collaborating across R&D and plant operations.
- Fluency in German and English, both written and spoken.
Key Skills
Robotics, Machine Learning, Python, AI, C / C++, OS Kernels, Research Experience, Matlab, Rust, Research & Development, Natural Language Processing, TensorFlow