Materials Engineer F/M/X

Socomec; Benfeld; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Socomec is seeking a senior Materials Specialist to lead the materials strategy within Group R&D, coordinating governance and supporting international product innovation. You will collaborate with R&D, Purchasing, Quality, and external partners to identify and qualify advanced materials while driving sustainability and regulatory compliance.

The role requires an engineering degree or PhD in materials-related fields, 7+ years of experience, and fluency in French and English.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree or PhD in materials science or related field.
• Minimum 7 years’ experience in materials development/qualification.
• Strong knowledge of polymeric and metallic materials and processes.
• Ability to assess new material solutions and support technical choices.
• Proficiency in French and professional English (B2).

Responsibilities

• Drive the execution of the Group materials strategy by monitoring developments and integrating performance, sustainability, innovation and regulatory considerations.
• Structure materials data and deploy materials governance across the Group and improve management standards.
• Provide expertise on the Group’s strategic materials to project teams supporting technical choices and new material introductions.
• Coordinate cross-functional projects involving R&D, Purchasing, Quality, Industrialisation, laboratories and external partners.
• Conduct upstream studies to identify innovative new materials.
• Develop a network of technical partners and laboratories to support testing and innovation.

Skills

7+ years experience

Polymeric materials

Metallic materials

Material assessment

French & English proficiency

Education

Engineering degree or PhD in materials science/chemistry/polymers/metallurgy

Tools

PLM data management tools

Job description

Within Group R&D, you will work on strategic topics relating to materials, innovation and regulatory developments. As the recognised expert on materials-related matters, you will support development teams in their material choices and contribute to the Group’s sustainability, decarbonisation and compliance ambitions. Reporting to the Eco-design and Materials Manager, you will lead the materials strategy, coordinate its governance and support product innovation internationally.

Responsibilities

• Drive the execution of the Group materials strategy by monitoring developments and integrating performance, sustainability, innovation and regulatory considerations.

• Structure materials data and deploy materials governance across the Group, and contribute to improving the associated management standards.

• Provide expertise on the Group’s strategic materials to project teams by supporting technical choices, substitutions, qualifications and the introduction of new materials.

• Coordinate cross-functional projects involving R&D, Purchasing, Quality, Industrialisation, laboratories and external partners.

• Conduct upstream studies to identify innovative new materials.

• Develop a network of technical partners and laboratories to support characterisation, testing and innovation activities.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree or PhD in materials science, materials chemistry, polymers, metallurgy or an equivalent field.

• At least 7 years’ experience in the development, qualification or selection of materials for industrial applications.

• Strong knowledge of polymeric and metallic materials, as well as the associated industrial processes.

• Ability to assess new material solutions, support their qualification and contribute to the technical choices made by development teams.

• Proficiency in French and professional English, minimum B2 level.

The extras that could make you even more unique:

• Experience with materials data management tools in a PLM environment.

• Experience in defining standards, reference frameworks or governance approaches across an organisation.

• Interest in environmental and regulatory issues.

Because there is more to your profile than professional skills:

• Technical curiosity and an interest in innovation to identify tomorrow’s opportunities.

• Leadership and the ability to bring teams together in a cross-functional environment involving several functions (R&D, Purchasing, Quality, Industrialisation, suppliers and laboratories).

• Organisation and the ability to manage several projects in parallel while ensuring the quality of deliverables.

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