Materials Engineer (onsite)

Johnson Controls; Glendale (AZ); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Johnson Controls in Glendale, WI, is seeking a Materials Engineer to join our Global Materials Lab. This entry-level role focuses on laboratory testing, materials characterization, and failure analysis to support product development and quality improvement.

You will work under the Materials Lab Manager, performing analyses, preparing reports, and collaborating with engineering, manufacturing, and supplier teams to drive performance, reliability, and sustainability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science & Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field; GPA 3.4+.
• Understanding of metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites, including properties, processing methods, and failure mechanisms.
• Hands-on laboratory experience from coursework, internships, co-ops, or industry.
• Familiarity with materials characterization techniques such as microscopy, hardness testing, spectroscopy, or thermal analysis.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Commitment to laboratory safety and safe work practices.

Responsibilities

• Prepare metallurgical and materials characterization samples using sectioning, mounting, grinding, polishing, and other laboratory preparation techniques.
• Conduct materials testing and analysis using laboratory equipment and analytical techniques, including optical microscopy, hardness testing, spectroscopy, thermal analysis, and other materials characterization methods.
• Perform failure analysis and root cause investigations on metallic, polymeric, ceramic, and composite materials.
• Analyze experimental data and prepare clear, concise, and technically sound laboratory reports with conclusions and recommendations.
• Support engineering, manufacturing, quality, supplier quality, and customer support teams in resolving material and process‑related issues.
• Assist in evaluating new materials, manufacturing processes, and product designs to improve performance, reliability, and sustainability.
• Participate in corrective and preventive action activities by identifying material and process nonconformances and recommending effective solutions.
• Maintain laboratory equipment and ensure compliance with laboratory safety procedures and best practices.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders on testing programs, product investigations, and materials qualification projects.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance laboratory efficiency, capability, and technical excellence.

Skills

Analytical skills

Troubleshooting

Problem solving

Laboratory work

Safety awareness

Independent work

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelors degree in Materials Science & Engineering

Tools

SEM/EDS

Optical microscopy

FTIR

DSC

TGA

Hardness testing

Job description

About Johnson Controls

Johnson Controls,a global leader in thermal management, mission-critical building systems, energy efficiency, and decarbonization, helps customers use energy more productively, reduce carbon emissions, and operate with the precision and resilience required in rapidly expanding industries such as datacenters, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, advanced manufacturing, and higher education.

For more than 140 years, Johnson Controls has delivered performance where itreally matters. Backed by advanced technology, lifecycle services and an industry-leading field organization, weelevatecustomer performance,turn goals into real-world results andhelpmove society forward.

Visit johnsoncontrols.com for more information and follow @Johnsoncontrols on social platforms.

What you will do

The Johnson Controls Global Materials Lab is seeking a highly motivated Materials Engineer to join our team in Glendale, Wisconsin. This position is primarily targeted toward entry-level or early-career candidates; however, the final job level will be based on the successful candidate’s education, qualifications, technical expertise, and relevant industry experience. This role offers an excellent opportunity to support a wide range of Johnson Controls businesses, including HVAC, chillers, controls, and data center applications.

Working under the direction of the Materials Lab Manager, the Materials Engineer will perform laboratory testing, materials characterization, failure analysis, and metallurgical investigations to support product development, manufacturing, quality improvement, and customer support initiatives. The successful candidate will combine strong technical knowledge with hands‑on laboratory skills to investigate material‑related issues, generate data‑driven conclusions, and communicate findings through professional technical reports.

This position is based at our test lab facility in Glendale, WI. Candidates must be commuting distance to the facility, or able to relocate. Various relocation packages are available.

How you will do it

• Prepare metallurgical and materials characterization samples using sectioning, mounting, grinding, polishing, and other laboratory preparation techniques.
• Conduct materials testing and analysis using laboratory equipment and analytical techniques, including optical microscopy, hardness testing, spectroscopy, thermal analysis, and other materials characterization methods.
• Perform failure analysis and root cause investigations on metallic, polymeric, ceramic, and composite materials.
• Analyze experimental data and prepare clear, concise, and technically sound laboratory reports with conclusions and recommendations.
• Support engineering, manufacturing, quality, supplier quality, and customer support teams in resolving material and process‑related issues.
• Assist in evaluating new materials, manufacturing processes, and product designs to improve performance, reliability, and sustainability.
• Participate in corrective and preventive action activities by identifying material and process nonconformances and recommending effective solutions.
• Maintain laboratory equipment and ensure compliance with laboratory safety procedures and best practices.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders on testing programs, product investigations, and materials qualification projects.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance laboratory efficiency, capability, and technical excellence.

What you will need
Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science & Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline from an accredited university. GPA is 3.4 or above.
• Understanding of metals, polymers, ceramics, and composite materials, including material properties, processing methods, and failure mechanisms.
• Hands‑on laboratory experience gained through coursework, research, internships, co‑ops, or industry experience.
• Familiarity with materials characterization techniques such as microscopy, hardness testing, spectroscopy, or thermal analysis.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated commitment to laboratory safety and safe work practices.

Preferred

• Advanced coursework or research experience in metallurgy, failure analysis, corrosion, welding, brazing, polymers, or materials characterization.
• Experience preparing metallographic specimens using lab equipment and interpreting microstructures.
• Experience operating analytical equipment such as optical microscopes, SEM/EDS, FTIR, DSC, TGA, and hardness testing equipment.
• Internship, co‑op, undergraduate research, graduate research experience and/or industrial experience in a materials laboratory environment.
• Experience presenting technical findings to engineering or business audiences.
• Industry experience

HIRING SALARY RANGE: $70,000 - $90,000 (Salary to be determined by the education, experience,knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with marketdata.) This position includes a competitive benefits package. The posted salary range reflectsthe target compensation for this role. However, we recognize that exceptional candidatesmay bring unique skills and experiences that exceed the typical profile. If you believe yourbackground warrants consideration beyond the stated range, we encourage you to apply. Tosupport an efficient and fair hiring process, we may use technology assisted tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), to help identify and evaluate candidates. All hiring decisions areultimately made by human reviewers. For details, please visit the About Us tab on theJohnson Controls Careers site at https://jobs.johnsoncontrols.com/about-us

#LI-ONSITE

Johnson Controls International plc. is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a qualified individual with a disability or any other characteristic protected by law. To view more information about your equal opportunity and non-discrimination rights as a candidate, visit EEO is the Law. If you are an individual with a disability and you require an accommodation during the application process, please visit here.