Associate Materials Engineer

University of Dayton Research Institute; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement plan

Vacation pay

Sick and holiday pay

Job summary

The University of Dayton Research Institute is seeking a full-time Materials Engineer to support advanced manufacturing projects. This essential role offers comprehensive benefits and requires a BS degree in an engineering field, along with experience in material characterization and advanced manufacturing processes.

Candidates must demonstrate strong technical writing skills, attention to detail, and self-motivation. The position emphasizes collaboration on innovative projects across Ohio and Georgia, making a significant impact in the field of advanced research.

Qualifications

• Experience with material characterization and property development.
• Working knowledge of advanced manufacturing processes.
• Experience following laboratory safety protocols.

Responsibilities

• Review test plans and reports related to material science issues.
• Troubleshoot and ideate for process improvements.
• Evaluate new and emerging technologies.

Skills

Material characterization

Technical writing

Attention to detail

Organization skills

Self-motivation

Education

BS degree in relevant engineering field

Tools

CAD/CAM software

Job description

Position Summary

Are you interested in working for UDRI, a national leader in scientific and engineering research, serving government, industry and nonprofit customers? UDRI contributes to the fulfillment of the University’s commitments to education, research and public service through the involvement of students, faculty, staff, and external partners. Established as the research arm of the University of Dayton in 1956, UDRI achieved over $250M in sponsored research in fiscal year 2025. We invite qualified candidates to apply for our Materials Engineer opening! This full‑time and benefit‑eligible position offers health, dental and vision insurance, retirement, disability, vacation, sick, and holiday pay.

Division Overview

The Materials and Materials Degradation division’s Advanced Manufacturing Materials group collaborates across Ohio and Georgia locations to execute material and process development and engineering projects supporting technologies including, but not limited to, additive manufacturing, cold spray repair, directed energy deposition, additive friction stir deposition, and incremental sheet forming. The Data Management team ensures effective data management methods and supports engineering review of contract deliverables. This position will focus on understanding the material science issues of advanced manufacturing—including additive manufacturing and repair technologies—and connecting material properties to part end‑use needs. Responsibilities include reviewing test plans, test reports, data and specifications, troubleshooting, ideation for process improvements or material replacement, and evaluation of new and emerging technologies.

Minimum Qualifications

• BS degree in a relevant engineering field (such as materials, chemical, polymer, metallurgical, or aerospace)
• Experience with material characterization, property development, or product development including method selection or development, data collection, and analysis
• Working knowledge of advanced manufacturing processes
• Experience following laboratory safety protocols
• Strong technical writing and verbal communication skills
• Attention to detail and organizational skills
• Self‑motivation with ability to work with minimal supervision
• Must be a U.S. citizen

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with CAD/CAM software
• Hands‑on experience with metals or polymer‑based additive manufacturing (laser‑powder bed fusion, fused filament fabrication, direct energy deposition, or a related technology)
• Experience in material characterization including mechanical testing (tensile, fatigue, etc.) or metallographic evaluation (grain size, phase fraction, porosity, etc.)
• Experience working in an ISO9001/AS9100 manufacturing setting
• Experience with creating and/or maintaining operational documents or quality system documents
• Experience with process optimization or continuous improvement
• Experience with Design of Experiments (DoE) and statistical analysis

Special Instructions To Applicants

To apply please submit a cover letter addressing each minimum qualification and any applicable preferred qualifications that you meet.

Closing Statement

Informed by its Catholic and Marianist mission, the University is committed to the dignity of every human being. Informed by this commitment, we seek to increase diversity in all of its forms, achieve fair outcomes, and model inclusion across our campus community. The University is committed to policies of affirmative action designed to increase the employment opportunities of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1973.