Materials Engineer - Accelerated Growth

IDEX Corporation; Portage (MI); On-site; USD 112,000 - 169,000; Full time

Job summary

IDEX Corporation in Portage, MI, seeks a Materials Engineer to characterize metallic materials and IR optical crystals for advanced manufacturing applications.

The role emphasizes failure analysis, microstructure evaluation, and developing characterization plans to support product development and manufacturing. Collaboration with engineering, quality, and supply chain is essential for material performance and process capability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Physics, or related field with 3–5 years of industry experience, or a Master’s degree with 2+ years of experience.
• Experience with metals, infrared optical materials/crystals, semiconductor materials, or aerospace materials.
• Strong understanding of composition–processing–microstructure–properties relationships in metals and optical materials.
• Experience conducting root cause analysis and failure investigations using analytical techniques.
• Hands-on expertise in materials characterization and testing (SEM/EDS, XRD, FTIR, tensile/compression).
• Knowledge of statistics and DOE; familiar with ISO quality systems and lab best practices.

Responsibilities

• Characterize metallic materials and IR optical crystals using advanced analytical techniques.
• Conduct failure analysis and determine root causes of material or process-related issues.
• Analyze microstructure, composition, crystallography, and surface characteristics.
• Evaluate and enhance current and next-gen ultra-precision cutting tooling.
• Study laser-material interactions and effects of laser processing on material properties.
• Develop and execute material characterization plans to support product development and manufacturing.
• Prepare technical reports and present findings to engineering and management teams.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, and design engineers to improve material performance and process capability.
• Support material selection, qualification, and supplier evaluations.
• Travel up to 20% to support technical activities as needed.
• Maintain compliance with quality, safety, export-control, and information-security requirements.

Skills

Materials science

Materials characterization

Design of Experiments

Statistics

Diamond turning

Cross-functional

Metals & alloys

Education

B.S. in Materials Science

M.S. in related field

Tools

SEM/EDS

XRD

FTIR

Tensile testing

Job description

If you’re looking for a special place to build or grow your career, you’ve found it. Whether you’re an experienced professional, a recent college graduate or somewhere in between, IDEX is a place where you can apply your existing skills and learn new ones in an environment where you can make an impact.

With interesting opportunities in engineering, marketing, sales, supply chain, operations, HR, finance, and more across more than 40 diverse businesses around the globe, chances are, we have something special for you.

IDEX Corporation (NYSE: IEX), based in Northbrook, IL (suburb of Chicago), is a leading global manufacturer of diversified products in industries ranging across health, science, safety, fire, and fluidics. The company operates in 24 countries, IDEX is an innovative and growing company, focused on delivering excellence through diverse, winning teams. We’re a global provider of applied solutions serving a variety of markets. These include life science and medical technologies, process industry and infrastructure related applications, industrial/municipal fire, and rescue - to name just a few.

**IDEX Material Science Solutions (MSS) **is a newly formed group made up of 11 Materials Sciences businesses across 14 locations within the US and Europe. These businesses include Advanced Thin Films, Inc., CVI Laser, LLC, CVI Laser Limited, Iridian Spectral Technologies Ltd., Micro-LAM, Inc., Superior Technical Ceramics Corp (STC), Tecan Limited, Veco B.V., Atul, Veco Precision India Pvt. Ltd (VPI), Millux B.V., and Louwers Hanique B.V.

Responsibilities:

The Materials Engineer will use advanced analytical techniques to characterize metallic materials and IR optical crystals.

The successful candidate will support the development, characterization, and failure analysis of metallic materials and infrared (IR) optical crystals used in advanced manufacturing and precision optical applications. This role requires hands‑on experience with materials characterization techniques and the ability to collaborate across engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams.

Key accountabilities and responsibilities for the Materials Engineer include but are not limited to:

• Characterize metallic materials and IR optical crystals using advanced analytical techniques.

• Conduct failure analysis anddetermineroot causes of material or process‑related issues.

• Analyze microstructure, composition, crystallography, and surface characteristics.

• Evaluate and enhance current and next gen ultra‑precision cutting tooling.

• Study laser‑material interactions and evaluate the effects of laser processing on material properties and machining performance.

• Develop and execute material characterization plans to support product development and manufacturing.

• Prepare technical reports and present findings to engineering and management teams.

• Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, and design engineers to improve material performance and process capability.

• Support materialselection, qualification, and supplier evaluations.

• Travel up to20% to supporttechnicalactivities as needed.

• Maintain compliance with applicable quality, safety, export‑control, and information‑security requirements.

Requirements & Experience:

· Due to the position’s access to export‑controlled technical data, candidates must qualify as a “U.S. person” under applicable U.S. export‑control regulations. This includes U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents.

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Physics, or a related field with 3–5 years of relevant industry experience, or aMaster’sdegree with 2+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Experience working with one or more of the following areas: metals, alloys, infrared optical materials/crystals, semiconductor materials,oraerospace materials.
• Strong understanding of the relationships between composition, processing, microstructure, properties, and performance of metalsand/oroptical materials.
• Experience conducting materials‑based root cause analysis and failure investigations using analytical characterization techniques.
• Demonstrated hands‑onexpertisein materials characterization and analytical testing, with coreproficienciesin SEM/EDS, XRD, FTIR, and tensile/compression testing.
• Knowledge of statistical data analysis and Design of Experiments (DOE).
• Familiarity withISO quality systemsand laboratory best practices.
• Exposure toprecision manufacturing processes such as milling, polishing, coating, brazing, or heat treatment is a plus.

Characteristics:

• Material science expertise: Demonstrates a strong understanding of material composition, microstructure, mechanical and physical properties, and material behavior. Applies this knowledge to predict how materials will respond to ultra‑precision machining, finishing, handling, and environmental conditions.
• Material characterization proficiency: Understands and applies appropriate methods to evaluate material properties, composition, surface condition, microstructure, defects, and variability. Selects suitable characterization techniques and interprets results to support engineering and manufacturing decisions.
• Material selection and evaluation: Evaluates candidate materials against application requirements, including optical properties, mechanical performance, thermal stability, machinability, durability, availability, and cost. Recommends materials based on technical evidence and intended use.
• Experimental design: Develops structured experiments to investigate material behavior, compare candidate materials, evaluate process conditions, and test engineering hypotheses. Establishes appropriate controls, variables, and success criteria.
• Research and technical investigation: Reviews scientific literature, technical publications, supplier data, and emerging technologies to identify materials and methods that may improve manufacturing capabilities or product performance.
• Innovation and creative thinking: Develops new approaches to material evaluation, process compatibility, surface improvement and manufacturing challenges. Identifies opportunities to use new materials or technologies to expand product capabilities.
• Diamond turning process knowledge: Understands the fundamentals of single‑point diamond turning and how material properties interact with cutting conditions, tool geometry, machine dynamics, and environment factors to influence results.
• Cross‑functional collaboration: Works effectively with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Metrology, Supply Chain, and external material suppliers to solve problems and support product development.

Salary Range - $112-169k

Are you ready to join a different kind of company where our people, our culture, and our commitments are centered around providing trusted solutions that improve lives around the world?

IDEX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IDEX gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other consideration or protected category made unlawful by federal, state or local laws.

Attention Applicants: If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, please let us know.Likewise, if you are limited in the ability to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, we will determine an alternate way for you to apply. Please contact our Talent Acquisition Team at [e-mail] for assistance with an accommodation. These contact tools may be used only by individuals with a disability for accommodation requests. Do not inquire as to the status of an application.