Carbon Materials R&D Engineer for Water Treatment

A. O. Smith Corp.; Milwaukee (WI); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A. O. Smith Corp. in Milwaukee, WI is seeking a Research Engineer, Carbon Development to advance next‑generation carbon adsorption materials for water treatment. You will connect material properties to performance and help define scalable processes.

The role requires hands‑on experimental design, bench‑ and pilot‑scale work, collaboration with internal labs and external partners, and travel as needed. A MS degree and 3+ years in carbon materials are expected.

Qualifications

• MS in a technical field is required.
• At least 3 years in carbon materials or related areas.
• Ability to relate material properties to performance.
• Experience with carbon characterization methods.
• Knowledge of adsorption, activated carbon, porous materials in water treatment.
• Able to design experiments, analyze results, and report findings.
• Experience managing technical projects and coordinating external partners.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Develop carbon-based adsorption materials and processes for water treatment.
• Translate adsorption performance into material specifications.
• Evaluate carbon sources, precursors, activation, and post-treatments.
• Plan bench- and pilot-scale experiments linking materials to performance.
• Optimize process parameters for cost, yield, energy, quality, manufacturability.
• Coordinate with internal labs, suppliers, universities, and external partners.
• Support pilot plant planning, run plans, safety, and data collection.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, QA, regulatory, and business teams.
• Support compliance and certification activities for applicable standards.

Education

MS in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Environmental Engineering, or related field

PhD preferred in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Environmental Engineering, or related field

Experience with carbon materials, adsorption media, water treatment technology, chemical process development, or pilot-scale process engineering

Experience connecting material properties, process conditions, or formulation variables to product performance

Experience with carbon characterization methods

Knowledge of adsorption, activated carbon, porous materials, or water treatment

Ability to design experiments, analyze data, and communicate results

Project management and cross-functional collaboration

Willingness to travel domestically and internationally

Job description

A. O. Smith Corp. in Milwaukee, WI is seeking a Research Engineer, Carbon Development to advance next‑generation carbon adsorption materials for water treatment. You will connect material properties to performance and help define scalable processes.

The role requires hands‑on experimental design, bench‑ and pilot‑scale work, collaboration with internal labs and external partners, and travel as needed. A MS degree and 3+ years in carbon materials are expected.