Lead Materials Engineer, Cutting Tool R&D

Kennametal Inc.; Latrobe (Westmoreland County); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Kennametal Inc. Latrobe, PA is seeking an Engineer Materials Science - Product Development to support and lead grade development for metal cutting applications.

You will work with Global R&D, Manufacturing, Marketing, Sales, and customers to develop, test, scale, and commercialize new tool materials and technologies, driving product lifecycle management and customer-focused solutions. The role emphasizes material innovation, cross-functional teamwork, and strong project management to deliver

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Materials Science, Engineering, or a related technical field.
• GPA 3.5+ preferred.
• Understanding of metal cutting applications and coatings is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead Grade Development projects using Kennametal's stage gate process.
• Plan and execute global R&D projects as Project Leader or team member.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Sales, Manufacturing, and Customers to support growth.
• Prepare and evaluate experimental materials through cutting tests and characterization.
• Analyze test results and communicate findings to cross-functional teams.
• Support product scale-up and transition to manufacturing.
• Assist with commercial launch activities with manufacturing and marketing.
• Develop expertise in material properties and performance for metal cutting.
• Conduct customer visits to evaluate machining requirements and field tests.
• Review tool material portfolios and contribute lifecycle recommendations.
• Participate in technical discussions and provide data-driven recommendations.
• Support continuous improvement in product performance, materials, and processes.
• Demonstrate strong project management and collaboration across global teams.

Skills

Project leadership

Technical communication

Analytical problem-solving

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Materials Science or Engineering

Job description

Kennametal Inc. Latrobe, PA is seeking an Engineer Materials Science - Product Development to support and lead grade development for metal cutting applications.

You will work with Global R&D, Manufacturing, Marketing, Sales, and customers to develop, test, scale, and commercialize new tool materials and technologies, driving product lifecycle management and customer-focused solutions. The role emphasizes material innovation, cross-functional teamwork, and strong project management to deliver