Failure Analyst

Element; Huntington Beach (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Element Materials Technology Huntington Beach is seeking an experienced Failure Analyst to conduct and interpret lab tests for failure analysis and reverse engineering projects. You will coordinate with clients, prepare quotes, and deliver investigation results promptly from a metallurgical lab setting.

Requirements include a BS in Materials Science/Engineering or Metallurgical Engineering and 5–10 years of SEM/metallurgical experience, plus strong communication skills and familiarity with

Qualifications

• BS in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, or Metallurgical Engineering preferred; equivalent degree may be considered.
• 5–10 years of experience in analyzing metallic fractures using SEM and metallurgical techniques.
• 5+ years of experience with metallurgical laboratory equipment and practices.
• Strong written and verbal communication/presentation skills.
• Familiarity with aerospace materials specifications and ability to read/interprete materials specifications.
• Ability to read and interpret testing procedures, client instructions, data, and drawings.

Responsibilities

• Coordinating/conducting and interpreting all lab tests involved in failure analysis and reverse engineering projects.
• Review technical documents and recommend scopes of work, including quotations for projects.
• Operate metallurgical equipment for sample preparation and examination.
• Operate an SEM/EDS system, interpret fractography results and EDS data.
• Recommend material specifications as applicable to industry standards for reverse engineering projects.
• Project management including internal and client communication, testing, reporting, and accountability for monthly productivity.
• Prepare comprehensive written technical reports and present results to clients.
• Work will be performed mainly in the metallurgical laboratory with occasional lifting <20 lbs.

Skills

Communication skills

Client-facing

Project management

Team collaboration

Flexibility

Education

BS in Materials Science/Engineering or Metallurgical Engineering

Tools

SEM/EDS system

Metallurgical equipment

Fractography interpretation

Job description

Overview

Element Huntington Beach has an opportunity for an experienced Failure Analyst whose primary responsibilities are conducting, coordinating and interpreting all required lab tests involved with performing failure analysis investigations as well as reverse engineering projects. This position will require you to work both with our internal team and directly with clients to provide technical guidance and budgetary quotes for projects and provide investigation results to clients in an expeditious manner.

Salary: $120,000 – $140,000 / year DOE (Depending on Experience)

Responsibilities

• Coordinating/conducting and interpreting all lab tests involved in performing failure analysis and/or reverse engineering projects.
• Review technical documents and recommend scopes of work, including quotations for failure analysis and/or reverse engineering projects.
• Independently operate metallurgical equipment involving sample preparation and examination.
• Independently operate an SEM/EDS system, interpret fractography results, and interpret EDS results.
• Recommend material specifications as applicable to industry standards for reverse engineering projects.
• Project management including internal team communication, client communication, testing, reporting, and accountability for monthly productivity.
• Prepare comprehensive written technical reports and effectively articulate investigation results verbally to clients.
• Work will be performed mainly in the metallurgical laboratory or failure analysis area; however, may require lifting <20 lbs often.

Skills / Qualifications

• BS in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, or Metallurgical Engineering preferred; however, equivalent degree/educational background may be considered.
• 5 – 10 years of experience in analyzing metallic fractures using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and metallurgical techniques is required.
• 5+ years of experience/working knowledge of metallurgical laboratory equipment and practices. Hands-on experience in preparation and interpretation of metallurgical specimens is required.
• Strong written and verbal communication/presentation skills.
• Familiarity with aerospace materials specifications, and ability to read and interpret materials specifications is required.
• Ability to interpret a variety of testing procedures, requirements, client instructions, data, and component/assembly drawings/prints.
• Ability to assess and respond to client requirements in an efficient and professional manner.
• Ability to operate and function within a team, drawing on other expertise where required.
• Flexibility and adaptability to handle different/shifting workloads, multiple priorities, and client deadlines.

Company Overview

Element is one of the fastest growing testing, inspection and certification businesses in the world. Globally we have more than 9,000 brilliant minds operating from 270 sites across 30 countries. Together we share an ambitious purpose to ‘Make tomorrow safer than today’.

When failure in use is not an option, we help customers make certain that their products, materials, processes and services are safe, compliant and fit for purpose. From early R&D, through complex regulatory approvals and into production, our global laboratory network of scientists, engineers, and technologists support customers to achieve assurance over product quality, sustainable outcomes, and market access.

While we are proud of our global reach, working at Element feels like being part of a smaller company. We empower you to take charge of your career, and reward excellence and integrity with growth and development.

Industries across the world depend on our care, attention to detail and the absolute accuracy of our work. The role we have to play in creating a safer world is much bigger than our organization.

Diversity Statement

At Element, we always take pride in putting our people first. We are an equal opportunity employer that recognizes diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our Vision of becoming “the world’s most trusted testing partner”.

All suitably qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective work related criteria and without regard for the following: age, disability, ethnic origin, gender, marital status, race, religion, responsibility of dependents, sexual orientation, or gender identity or other characteristics in accordance with the applicable governing laws or other characteristics in accordance with the applicable governing laws.