Materials & Process Engineer – Webster

VRC Metal Systems, LLC; Town of Webster (NY); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

VRC Metal Systems, LLC is seeking a Materials and Process Engineer in the United States to develop advanced materials and processes for research and customer applications focused on cold spray and cold spray additive manufacturing.

You will collaborate with design engineering to evaluate new equipment designs and identify opportunities while applying automation to complex path planning for research as well as customer projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Materials Engineering, or similar is required.

Responsibilities

• Participate on multiple projects supporting the project engineer.
• Manage time effectively to meet program goals according to project schedule.
• Identify and evaluate materials which can address a wide variety of applications in cold spray.
• Work with new leading edge cold spray processes to prove marketability and to meet customer needs.
• Propose new equipment, material, or process concepts for external or internal research funding and be willing to manage those programs when funded.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Materials Engineering, or similar

Tools

CAD/CAM software

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

JOB TITLE: MATERIAL AND PROCESS ENGINEER

REPORTS TO: PROCESS ENGINEERING MANAGER-COLD SPRAY

FLSA STATUS: EXEMPT

PREPARED DATE: OCTOBER 20, 2025

SUMMARY: Develop advanced materials and processes for research and customer applications focused on cold spray and cold spray additive manufacturing while collaborating with and supporting other advanced manufacturing technologies and production. Work closely with design engineering for evaluation of new cold spray equipment designs and help to identify new design opportunities. Develop and use automation expertise to address complex path planning problems in research as well as for customer applications.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility in a safe and satisfactory manner. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $55,000 – $75,000 per year (location adjusted)

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Participate on multiple projects supporting the project engineer
• Manage time effectively to meet program goals according to project schedule
• Identify and evaluate materials which can address a wide variety of applications in cold spray
• Work with new leading edge cold spray processes to prove marketability and to meet customer needs
• Propose new equipment, material, or process concepts for external or internal research funding and be willing to manage those programs when funded
• Manage program funding and schedule
• Issue reports and produce deliverables
• Assemble a project team to support the project
• Work in a multifunctional team environment to address customer needs
• Travel to support internal and customer funded projects or to attend conferences as needed (est. 1-6 weeks per year)
• Support onsite cold spray activities at customer facility
• Work with traditional and non-traditional automation to develop path planning for advanced deposition strategies
• Design and develop fixtures and masking to support in-house activities
• Communicate with customers in writing and in online and in-person meetings for project updates, research proposals, and in support of sales staff
• Follow internal materials and process development processes to control release of new material and processes
• Support cold spray and facility technicians as needed to address project and company needs

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

None

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Materials Engineering, or similar required
• Knowledgeable with basic metallurgy, heat transfer, fluid dynamics, stress, and fatigue
• Knowledgeable in basic CAD, with CAM experience preferred
• Knowledgeable in numerical and finite elements analysis methods preferred
• Background in cold spray, wire deposition, laser deposition, or other additive manufacturing processes desired
• Familiar with air handling and dust control equipment desired

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

• Read and interpret documents in English such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals, newspapers, periodicals, scientific journals, and manuals
• Write and present verbally routine business and technical reports, correspondence, business letters, summaries, and reports in English using prescribed format, conform to all rules of punctuation, grammar, and style

COMPUTER SKILLS:

• Microsoft Word, Power Point, and Excel at an advanced level
• Proficiency in CAD/CAM software highly desired
• Proficient in electronic forms of communication including email, web searching, and data organization
• Basic computer programming knowledge for automation or data analysis desired

REASONING ABILITY:

• Apply common sense understanding to follow instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Use mathematical skills to interpret mechanical and metallurgical findings, financial information, and prepare budgets.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee must be able to see differences in widths and lengths of lines such as those on graphs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

Inside: Protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes. Much of the work will be done in a machine shop type environment with high noise levels, dust, and other hazards associated with machining work. A job is considered “inside” if the worker spends approximately 75 percent or more of the time inside.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Must be able to work effectively in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, communicate well with others, effectively deal with technicians and customers, and accept constructive criticism.
• Must be able to change activity frequently and cope with interruptions.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Essential functions of this job are described under the headings above. The job requirements and features are subject to change from time to time due to the dynamic nature of the Company.

It is the policy of VRC Metal Systems not to discriminate or allow the harassment of employees or applicants on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law with regard to any employment practices, including recruitment, advertising, job application procedures, hiring, upgrading, training, promotion, transfer, compensation, job assignments,
benefits and/or other terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, provided the individual is qualified, with or without reasonable accommodations, to perform the essential functions of the job. This policy applies to all jobs at the Company. The Company will continue to take affirmative action to ensure that individuals are employed, and that employees are treated during employment, without regard to their sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law in all employment practices.