Lead Engineer - Ceramic Core Process

Howmet Aerospace Inc.; Whitehall Township (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Howmet Aerospace Inc. in Whitehall, MI seeks a Senior Ceramic Core Process Owner to lead enterprise governance for ceramic core manufacturing, ensuring fixed process adherence and standardization across facilities and suppliers.

You will champion improvements in yield, dimensional capability, and process capability, drive audits, mentor teams, and partner with engineering, quality, and supply chain to deliver cost-effective, high-quality core components.

Qualifications

• Experience in investment casting or ceramic core manufacturing.
• Experience developing engineering specifications and process documentation.
• Strong understanding of statistical process control and process capability.
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives across multiple locations.
• Ability to influence manufacturing organizations and drive enterprise-wide standardization.
• Willingness to travel up to 50% to facilities and suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Serve as SPA for ceramic core manufacturing process control and fixed process governance across all core locations.
• Establish and maintain standards, best practices, and technical specifications for ceramic core suppliers and processes.
• Provide technical authority to drive standardization of materials, processes, and engineering specs.
• Lead audits of internal manufacturing facilities and ensure corrective actions are timely.
• Drive initiatives to improve yield, dimensional capability, strength, and overall manufacturing performance.
• Support new product introduction by ensuring ceramic core technologies meet standards and manufacturability.

Skills

Statistical analysis

Cross-functional leadership

Communication

Root cause analysis

Quality systems

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Ceramic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related technical discipline

Job description

• Locations One Misco Drive, Whitehall, MI, 49461-1799, US (On-site)
• Job Schedule Full time
• Export-Controlled Data This position entails access to export-controlled items and employment offers are conditioned upon an applicant's ability to lawfully obtain access to such items

Responsibilities

The Howmet Engines Principal Ceramic Core Process Owner may be located at any of the US Howmet Engines Business Unit facilities. He or she provides enterprise leadership for ceramic core manufacturing and core utilization across Howmet Engine Products. This role serves as the Business Unit Single Point of Accountability (SPA) for ceramic core manufacturing processes, process control, and fixed process adherence, ensuring consistent execution across internal core manufacturing facilities and external suppliers.

Essential Functions

Serve as the Business Unit Single Point of Accountability (SPA) for ceramic core manufacturing process control and fixed process governance across all core manufacturing locations.

Establish, maintain, and continuously improve business unit standards, best practices, and technical specifications for internal and external ceramic core suppliers, including material requirements, manufacturing methods, inspection criteria, qualification requirements, and process controls.

Provide technical authority and drive enterprise standardization for ceramic core materials, manufacturing processes, process controls, and engineering specifications.

Champion change management and fixed process adherence by partnering with plant leadership to ensure disciplined execution of approved manufacturing processes and standardized work.

Lead monthly process audits of internal ceramic core manufacturing facilities, identify and help close process gaps, ensure timely corrective actions, and report findings to executive leadership.

Lead business unit initiatives to improve ceramic core yield, dimensional capability, strength, consistency, and overall manufacturing performance.

Drive improvements focused on maximizing downstream investment casting yield through improved ceramic core quality, consistency, and process capability.

Develop standardized best practices for ceramic core strengthening processes, impregnations, coatings, sealants, and other treatments applied prior to wax injection.

Standardize methods for handling ceramic cores throughout investment casting operations, including storage, transportation, inspection, preparation, and contamination prevention.

Develop business unit standards and best practices for locating ceramic cores within wax injection dies, including locator design, support materials, nesting schemes, and process controls to improve dimensional repeatability and casting quality.

Lead cross-functional best practice initiatives involving engineering, manufacturing, quality, operations, and supply chain teams across multiple locations.

Evaluate, qualify, and implement emerging ceramic core technologies, including advanced core body materials, new ceramic systems, strengthening technologies, surface coatings, locator technologies, automation and inspection technologies.

Partner with internal core manufacturing facilities and external suppliers to ensure reliable, high-quality, and cost-effective core supply to investment casting operations.

Develop business unit KPIs and executive dashboards to monitor process capability, fixed process adherence, supplier performance, core quality, and yield.

Support new product introduction by ensuring ceramic core technologies meet business unit standards and manufacturability requirements.

Provide technical mentoring and guidance to core manufacturing engineers, investment casting product engineers, and operations personnel.

Benchmark industry best practices and identify opportunities to improve ceramic core technologies and manufacturing capabilities across the business.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Ceramic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 8 years of engineering or manufacturing experience in investment casting, ceramic core manufacturing, advanced ceramics, or related manufacturing processes.
• Experience developing engineering specifications, manufacturing standards, technical procedures, or process documentation.
• Experience leading cross-functional technical initiatives across multiple manufacturing locations.
• Strong understanding of statistical process control, process capability, root cause analysis, and manufacturing quality systems.
• Excellent technical writing, communication, facilitation, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence manufacturing organizations and drive enterprise-wide process standardization without direct authority.
• Willingness to travel 50% to manufacturing facilities and suppliers.
• Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States, verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire, visa sponsorship is not available for this position
• This position is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) which requires U.S. person status. ITAR defines U.S. person as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. "Green Card Holder"), Political Asylee, or Refugee

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading enterprise process control, fixed process, or manufacturing governance programs.
• Experience in aerospace investment casting manufacturing.
• Extensive knowledge of ceramic core materials, binder systems, firing processes, and ceramic processing technologies.
• Experience with ceramic core design, tooling, injection molding, firing, machining, inspection, and finishing operations.
• Experience developing supplier qualification requirements and technical specifications for ceramic manufacturing.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Familiarity with ceramic material characterization, failure analysis, and process capability studies.
• Experience developing executive-level KPI dashboards and process governance reporting.
• Project management experience leading large, cross-functional manufacturing improvement initiatives.

About Us

Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE: HWM), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. Our primary businesses focus on jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, titanium structural parts and forged wheels. With $8.3 Billion in revenue in 2025, our products play a crucial role in enabling fuel efficiency and lightweighting, contributing to our customers’ success and making a positive impact on the world. To learn more about the way Howmet Aerospace Inc. is advancing the sustainability of our customers, markets, and communities where we operate, review the 2025 Environmental Social and Governance report at www.howmet.com/esg-report . Follow: LinkedIn , Twitter , Instagram , Facebook , and YouTube .

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Howmet is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

The Howmet engines business produces world-class aerospace engine components, including investment castings, fasteners, rings and forgings. Our vacuum melted superalloys, machining, performance coatings and hot isostatic pressing for high performance parts enable the next generation of quieter, cleaner and more fuel-efficient aerospace engines. Able to supply more than 90% of structural and rotating aerospace engine components.