Materials Engineer (onsite)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation packages

Competitive benefits

Job summary

Johnson Controls in Glendale, WI is seeking a Materials Engineer to join our Global Materials Lab. This entry‑ to early‑career role focuses on laboratory testing, materials characterization, failure analysis, and metallurgical investigations to support product development, manufacturing, quality improvement, and customer support.

You will analyze data, prepare technical reports, and collaborate with engineering and quality teams to resolve material issues while advancing lab capabilities and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science & Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related engineering discipline; GPA 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 in metallurgy, failure analysis, corrosion, welding, 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 or graduate research and/or industrial experience in a materials laboratory environment.
• Experience presenting technical findings to engineering or business audiences.

Responsibilities

• Prepare metallurgical and materials characterization samples using sectioning, mounting, grinding, polishing, and other lab prep techniques.
• Conduct materials testing and analysis using microscopy, hardness testing, spectroscopy, and thermal analysis.
• Perform failure analysis and root cause investigations on various materials.
• Analyze data and prepare clear, concise laboratory reports with conclusions and recommendations.
• Support engineering, manufacturing, quality, supplier quality, and customer teams in material/process issues.
• Assist in evaluating new materials, manufacturing processes, and product designs to improve performance and reliability.
• Participate in corrective and preventive action activities related to material/process nonconformances.
• Maintain lab equipment and ensure safety procedures and best practices.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders on testing programs and material qualification projects.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of lab efficiency and technical excellence.

Skills

Materials Science

Metallurgical Engineering

Chemical Engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in Materials Science & Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Metallurgical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

SEM/EDS

FTIR

DSC

TGA

Optical Microscopy

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 data centers, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, advanced manufacturing, and higher education. For more than 140 years, Johnson Controls has delivered performance where it really matters. Backed by advanced technology, lifecycle services and an industry‑leading field organization, we elevate customer performance, turn goals into real‑world results and help move society forward. Visit johnsoncontrols.com for more information and follow @Johnsoncontrols on socialplatforms.

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 role is ideal for a candidate who enjoys working in a materials laboratory environment, solving complex engineering challenges, and collaborating with cross‑functional teams to improve product performance, reliability, safety, and cost‑effectiveness. 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 market data.) This position includes a competitive benefits package. The posted salary range reflects the target compensation for this role. However, we recognize that exceptional candidates may bring unique skills and experiences that exceed the typical profile. If you believe your background warrants consideration beyond the stated range, we encourage you to apply.

To support 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 are ultimately made by human reviewers. For details, please visit the About Us tab on the Johnson 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.

Johnson Controls: Enhancing the Intelligence of Buildings

Your buildings have a purpose. They are places for people to live or work. Facilities for learning or healing. Venues for entertainment and shopping. Sites for the specialized storage of tangible goods or mission‑critical data. Your buildings have a huge variety of functions; they are central to your mission. This is where Johnson Controls comes in, helping drive the outcomes that matter most. Through a full range of systems and digital solutions, we make your buildings smarter. A smarter building is safer, more comfortable, more efficient, and, ultimately, more sustainable. Most important, smarter buildings let you focus more intensely on your unique mission. Better for your people. Better for your bottom line. Better for the planet. At Johnson Controls, we’ve been making buildings smarter since 1885, and our capabilities, depth of innovation experience, and global reach have been growing ever since. Today, we offer the world’s largest portfolio of building products, technologies, software, and services; we put that portfolio to work to transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play.