Materials Scientist

KA Group | Knight Auto; Singapore; On-site; SGD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

KA Group | Knight Auto seeks a seasoned Materials Engineer to lead advanced material projects in a high-tech environment. You will apply chemistry and surface engineering know-how to solve challenges and improve product performance, while identifying new market opportunities and coordinating with internal teams and external partners.

You will support business cases, cost and budgeting processes, and ensure successful go-to-market campaigns with stakeholders across Engineering, Operations,

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering, Science, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience, preferably in the semiconductor industry.
• Strong hands-on experience in materials, chemistry, surface engineering, coating, or related manufacturing processes.
• Experience in material selection and qualification for ferrous alloys, non-ferrous materials, and engineering plastics (e.g., stainless steel, aluminium, titanium alloys, PEEK, PI).
• Familiar with high vacuum, plasma environments, extreme temperatures, and corrosive chemistries.
• Experience evaluating chemical and elastomer compatibility (e.g., Viton).
• Knowledge of surface engineering, electroplating, and coating processes (nickel plating, PVD, CVD, sputtering, evaporation, arc deposition).
• Ability to define and troubleshoot process controls related to plating adhesion, coating defects, porosity, thickness uniformity, and deposition parameters.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support new product, system design, and material improvement initiatives to meet customer and business requirements.
• Apply material science and chemical engineering knowledge to solve technical challenges and improve product performance.
• Identify new product-to-market and application opportunities based on market trends, customer roadmaps, and technology developments.
• Work with internal and external stakeholders on product marketing, product launch, and go-to-market campaigns.
• Support business case development, cost evaluation, budgeting, and other operational processes for business sustainability.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Sales, Product Marketing, customers, and external vendors.
• Provide technical input on materials, surface treatment, coating, process controls, and failure analysis.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Travel willingness

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Engineering/Science degree

Tools

SEM/EDS

FTIR

DSC

Optical microscopy

Salt spray testing

Job description

• Lead and support new product, system design, and material improvement initiatives to meet customer and business requirements.
• Apply material science and chemical engineering knowledge to solve technical challenges and improve product performance.
• Identify new product-to-market and application opportunities based on market trends, customer roadmaps, and technology developments.
• Work with internal and external stakeholders on product marketing, product launch, and successful go-to-market campaigns.
• Support business case development, cost evaluation, budgeting, and other operational processes required for business sustainability and improvement.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Engineering, Operations, Quality, Sales, Product Marketing, customers, and external vendors.
• Provide technical input and recommendations on materials, surface treatment, coating, process controls, and failure analysis matters.

Requirements

• Degree in Engineering, Science, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience, preferably in the semiconductor industry.
• Strong hands-on experience in materials, chemistry, surface engineering, coating, or related manufacturing processes.
• Experience in material selection and qualification for ferrous alloys, non-ferrous materials, and engineering plastics, including stainless steel, aluminium, titanium alloys, PEEK, PI, or equivalent materials.
• Familiar with material requirements for high vacuum, plasma environments, extreme temperatures, and corrosive chemistries such as halogens, acids, bases, solvents, and cleaning chemicals.
• Experience in evaluating chemical and elastomer compatibility, including materials such as Viton and other engineering polymers used in semiconductor or process equipment applications.
• Knowledge of surface engineering, electroplating, and coating processes such as nickel plating, electroless nickel plating, PVD, CVD, sputtering, evaporation, or arc deposition.
• Able to define and troubleshoot process controls relating to plating adhesion, coating defects, porosity, thickness uniformity, vacuum levels, gas flow, deposition rate, temperature, and related parameters.
• Experience working with CNC machining vendors on material-specific requirements, including tool selection, cutting fluids, residual stress management, surface finish, heat treatment, annealing, stress relief, passivation, and cleaning.
• Familiar with statistical process control and material acceptance criteria such as tensile strength, hardness, grain size, porosity, and surface finish requirements.
• Experience in failure analysis and root cause investigation relating to corrosion, fatigue, wear, chemical attack, hydrogen embrittlement, galvanic corrosion, creep, or related material failure modes.
• Familiar with analytical and testing methods such as SEM/EDS, FTIR, DSC, optical microscopy, hardness testing, salt spray testing, or equivalent techniques.
• Strong analytical skills with creative thinking and problem-solving ability, supported by knowledge of market trends, leading technologies, and industry practices.
• Exposure to international or regional customers and stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with ability to engage stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
• Effective communication in English. Knowledge of other Asian languages will be an advantage.
• Willingness to travel on short or long notice, as required by business needs.
• Resilient and adaptable in a VUCA business environment.