Manager Materials & Heat Treatment, MPD

SKF Group; Flowery Branch (GA); On-site; USD 123,000 - 139,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO policy

13 paid holidays

Job summary

SKF Group in Georgia, Flowery Branch, is seeking a senior materials engineer to lead heat treatment, metallurgy lab operations, and special processes. You will drive digitalization, process optimization and cost-effective manufacturing while ensuring quality and compliance.

The role requires a strong background in metallurgical engineering, 7–10 years in design/processing, and a Six Sigma Black Belt. Opportunities include leadership over a global team and sustainability-focused initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in metallurgical/materials engineering with 7–10 years in design, process, or manufacturing engineering.
• Master's or PhD with 4–6 years of relevant experience.
• Certified Six Sigma Black Belt with DFSS and GPM2 training preferred.
• Exposure to Machine Learning and AI is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute heat treatment strategy aligned with growth, cost competitiveness and sustainability objectives of operation.
• Serve as SME for heat treatment, NDT, passivation, surface treatment, and metallurgical testing.
• Deliver strategic Capex, and deployment of new heat treatment technology from concept to industrialization.
• Lead industrialization of advanced thermal processes and associated tech.
• Drive digitalization of heat treatment operations with real-time monitoring and Industry 4.0 integration.
• Establish and lead maintenance excellence programs for reliability and uptime.
• Validate materials and process capability using microstructural analysis and hardness testing.
• Ensure metallurgy control and robust process windows and QA methods.
• Create & release FMEA and control plans for new products or changes.
• Ensure compliance with CQI-9, NADCAP, AS9100 and global heat treatment quality requirements.

Education

Bachelor's in metallurgical/materials engineering

Master's in related field

PhD in related field

Tools

GD&T

Job description

Salary Range: $ 123,000.00 to $ 139,000.00

About SKF:

SKF, reducing friction since 1907, re-imagining rotation for a better tomorrow!

SKF is an industry-leading manufacturer that has been a cornerstone in industrial life. Wherever there are machines or products in motion, SKF bearings are there to reduce friction. SKF drives the industries that support our way of life, powers the machines that put food on the table, and even helps explore the cosmos.

Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. SKF is on pace to decarbonize all its production facilities by 2030.

We’re guided by our SKF values. Collaboration is critical to the success of our colleagues, partners, and customers. Curiosity and Courage provide a foundation for innovation and advancement. And we do this work out of Care for our people, customers, communities, and the planet.

We’re a company committed to a culture of belonging, where all our people are encouraged to be themselves and grow their careers in an equitable environment.

Learn about SKF at www.skf.com.

Summary:

To lead and advance materials engineering, heat treatment, and special process capabilities by integrating scientific rigor, digitalization, maintenance excellence, and sustainable practices—enabling reliable, cost-competitive, and high-performance manufacturing operations that support business growth in alignment with regional strategy.

Responsibilities:

• Define and execute heat treatment technology strategy aligned with business growth, cost competitiveness and sustainability objectives of operation.
• Serve as Subject Matter Expert (SME) for special processes including heat treatment, NDT, passivation, surface treatment, particle analysis and metallurgical testing’s.
• Deliver strategic Capex, new heat treatment technology deployment from concept, validation, and scale-up through full industrialization.
• Lead industrialization of advanced thermal processes, including induction hardening, vacuum hardening, annealing, and emerging heat treatment technologies, to deliver scalable and robust manufacturing capability.
• Drive digitalization of heat treatment operations framework through real-time process monitoring, data-driven control, predictive analytics, traceability, and Industry 4.0 integration.
• Establish and lead maintenance excellence programs through preventive, predictive, and condition-based strategies to ensure special process equipment reliability, process stability, and high asset uptime.
• Validate materials and process capability using microstructural characterization, hardness evaluation, case depth analysis, retained austenite measurement, residual stress assessment, and mechanical property testing.
• Ensure metallurgical control and process adherence across production by defining and sustaining robust process windows, transformation control, and quality assurance methods.
• Creation & release of FMEA, control plan for new products or any process changes.
• Ensure compliance with CQI-9, NADCAP, AS9100, and all applicable customer, regulatory, and global heat treatment quality requirements.
• Maintain heat treatment equipment certification, pyrometry, calibration standards, and adherence to special process requirements.
• Build and lead high-performing technical special process team across heat treatment, metallurgy laboratory, NDT; drive training, certification, and succession planning.
• Drive cost optimization through material selection, process efficiency, waste reduction, and VAVE initiatives without compromising performance or compliance.
• Lead energy efficiency and CO₂ reduction projects by advancing cleaner technologies, improving thermal efficiency, and supporting sustainable manufacturing targets.
• Collaborate with global technology centers and cross-functional teams to standardize best practices, deploy engineering solutions, and accelerate innovation.
• Provide technical leadership and decision support across engineering, operations, quality, and product development functions.
• Conduct failure investigations and root cause analysis using fractography, metallography, hardness mapping, and process correlation to improve reliability and eliminate technical risk.

Skills:

• Expert on manufacturing processes and process design.
• Deep knowledge of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), Failure Mode and Effect, Analysis (FMEA) ensuring product and process robustness.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability, with a track record of delivering short‑and long‑term business objectives.
• Extensive experience in cross-functional teams across functions and global team’s.
• Numerically astute with strong problem-solving skills and expertise to develop and execute objectives for self and others and the ability to effect short‑term and some long‑term business goals.
• Demonstrated commercial and financial acumen in driving value-based decisions
• Proficient in engineering drawing interpretation (GD&T) for design and manufacturing alignment.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.

Qualification:

• Bachelors in metallurgical/materials Engineering with 7–10 years of experience in design, process, or manufacturing engineering; Masters or PhD with 4–6 years of relevant experience.
• Certified Six Sigma Black Belt with DFSS and GPM2 training preferred.
• Exposure to Machine Learning and AI is desirable.

What You’ll Love About SKF:

Rest and Relaxation

Enjoy a generous PTO policy and 13 paid holidays.

Work/Life Integration

SKF supports work/life integration, home, family, community, personal well‑being and health.

Diversity in the Workplace.

At SKF, we strive to embed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in everything we do. By developing a culture of belonging, our people can flourish; leading to an inclusive, equitable environment that promotes leadership, engagement and innovation.

Best in Class Benefits

SKF cares about the wellbeing of our employees. Comprehensive healthcare options to fit your needs and opt out payment. Added benefits include company paid life insurance, STD, LTD. Supplemental benefits include critical illness coverage, tuition reimbursement, employee discount programs, and much more!

Bonus.

SKF offers STVS (Short Term Variable Salary) or Sales Incentive based on company performance and at the discretion of management.

Invest in your Future

Participate in our 401K program that boasts a 10% employer contribution: 100% match up to 5% of your elected contribution (100% Vested) plus an additional 5% company contribution.

About SKF

SKF has been around for more than a century and today we are one of the world’s largest global suppliers of bearings and supporting solutions for rotating equipment. With more than 40,000 employees in around 130 countries, we are truly global. Our products are found everywhere in society. In fact, wherever there is movement, SKF’s solutions might be at work. This means that we are an important part of the everyday lives of people and companies around the world. See more, at www.skf.com.