Materials Engineer

Solar Turbines Incorporated; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 128,000 - 193,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

401(k) savings plans

Relocation assistance

Career development

Job summary

Solar Turbines Incorporated, headquartered in San Diego, California, seeks a Materials Engineer to advance high-temperature metallic materials for industrial gas turbines and energy applications. You will lead alloy development for nickel-based and cobalt-based systems and work with design, manufacturing, and research partners.

You will apply metallurgical knowledge to improve durability and performance, mentor teammates, and support qualification of new manufacturing routes in a demanding

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of industrial experience in metallic materials engineering.
• Strong knowledge of physical metallurgy, mechanical metallurgy, phase transformations, heat treatment, materials characterization, and microstructure-property relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead materials engineering activities related to high-temperature alloys used in turbine hot-section and structural components.
• Conduct materials characterization using optical microscopy, SEM, EDS, EBSD, XRD, DSC, and related analytical techniques.
• Analyze microstructure-property-process relationships and provide recommendations for alloy selection and lifecycle improvement.
• Support alloy development activities including melting/remelting trials, forging/thermomechanical processing, heat treatment development, mechanical property testing, qualification and implementation.
• Collaborate with suppliers and research organizations to evaluate new alloy chemistries and manufacturing routes.
• Investigate material failures and service-related degradation mechanisms including creep, fatigue, oxidation, corrosion, wear, and environmental attack.
• Develop technical reports, engineering specifications, and qualification plans.
• Apply computational tools such as Thermo-Calc, JMatPro, or related software to support alloy design and process optimization.
• Provide technical mentorship and serve as a subject matter expert on high-temperature materials.

Skills

Physical metallurgy

Mechanical metallurgy

Phase transformations

Heat treatment

Materials characterization

Microstructure-property relationships

Education

Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or related discipline

MS or PhD in Materials Science, Metallurgy, or related field

Tools

Thermo-Calc

JMatPro

Job description

Job Description

Career Area

Engineering

Job Description

Solar Turbines Incorporated, headquartered in San Diego, California, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc. Solar manufactures the world’s most widely used family of mid-sized industrial gas turbines, ranging from 1 to 35 megawatts. Solar is a leading provider of energy solutions, featuring an extensive line of gas turbine-powered compressor sets, generator sets and mechanical drives. When you join Solar, you are joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen. Along with our customers and the communities we work and live in, we are building a better world for tomorrow.

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated Materials Engineer to support the development, qualification, and application of advanced high-temperature metallic materials for industrial gas turbine and energy applications. The successful candidate will provide technical leadership in the areas of nickel-based superalloys, cobalt-based superalloys, high-temperature steels, and related manufacturing processes. This role involves alloy development, materials characterization, failure analysis, supplier qualification, and process development to improve component durability, reliability, and performance in demanding environments. The engineer will work closely with design, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and external research partners to solve complex materials challenges.

Principal Accountabilities

Lead materials engineering activities related to high-temperature alloys used in turbine hot-section and structural components.

• Develop and evaluate nickel-based and cobalt-based alloy systems for improved mechanical properties, oxidation resistance, corrosion resistance, and microstructural stability.
• Conduct materials characterization using optical microscopy, SEM, EDS, EBSD, XRD, DSC, and related analytical techniques.
• Analyze microstructure-property-process relationships and provide recommendations for alloy selection and lifecycle improvement.
• Support alloy development activities including:
  • Melting and remelting trials
  • Forging and thermomechanical processing
  • Heat treatment development
  • Mechanical property testing
  • Qualification and implementation
• Collaborate with suppliers and research organizations to evaluate new alloy chemistries and manufacturing routes.
• Investigate material failures and service-related degradation mechanisms including creep, fatigue, oxidation, corrosion, wear, and environmental attack.
• Support materials and process qualification activities for cast, forged, welded, additive-manufactured, and coated components.
• Develop technical reports, engineering specifications, and qualification plans.
• Apply computational tools such as Thermo-Calc, JMatPro, or related software to support alloy design and process optimization.
• Provide technical mentorship and serve as a subject matter expert on high-temperature materials.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or related discipline.
• 10+ years of industrial experience in metallic materials engineering.
• Strong knowledge of:
  • Physical metallurgy
  • Mechanical metallurgy
  • Phase transformations
  • Heat treatment
  • Materials characterization
  • Microstructure-property relationships
• Experience with nickel-based and/or cobalt-based superalloys.
• Experience interpreting metallographic and mechanical test data.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.

Top Candidates Have

• Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Materials Science, Metallurgy, or related field.
• Experience with industrial gas turbines, aerospace engines, power generation, or other high-temperature applications.
• Experience with alloys such as:
  • IN718
  • Waspaloy
  • Alloy 939
  • Rene 41
  • Haynes 188
  • Haynes 230
  • Mar-M alloys
• Knowledge of forging, casting, powder metallurgy, welding, brazing, and additive manufacturing processes.
• Experience with creep, low-cycle fatigue (LCF), high-cycle fatigue (HCF), thermo-mechanical fatigue (TMF), and life prediction methodologies.
• Familiarity with oxidation and hot-corrosion resistant coatings.
• Experience supporting supplier qualification and manufacturing process development.
• Knowledge of Six Sigma, root-cause analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies.

Desired Characteristics

• Passion for solving complex materials challenges.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
• Curiosity, innovation, and a desire to develop next-generation materials technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to translate technical findings into practical engineering solutions.

Summary Pay Range

$128,470.00 - $192,710.00

Benefits

Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits*
• Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*
• 401(k) savings plans*
• Health Savings Account (HSA)*
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*
• Health Lifestyle Programs*
• Employee Assistance Program*
• Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*
• Career Development*
• Incentive bonus*
• Disability benefits
• Life Insurance
• Parental leave
• Adoption benefits
• Tuition Reimbursement
• These benefits also apply to part-time employees

This position requires working onsite five days a week.

Relocation is available for this position.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Posting Dates

October 9, 2026 - October 23, 2026

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.