Powertrain R&D Process Engineer

Comau; Southfield (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Comau in Michigan is seeking a Powertrain R&D Process Engineer to bridge materials science and automation, performing hands-on lab analyses of coatings and developing and troubleshooting machines that create them.

Ideal candidates will combine curiosity, creativity, and a hands-on approach in a cross-functional setting, with 2+ years in product development or powertrain environments and willingness to travel domestically.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Materials, Welding, Mechanical, or Mechatronics from an ABET-accredited school.
• Work History: 2+ years experience in a product development, R&D, or powertrain environment.
• Hands-on materials/metallurgy lab experience, including coating metallurgical analysis, bond strength analysis, microscopy, digital image analysis, and failure analysis.
• Ability to problem-solve and troubleshoot to resolve the root cause of issues.
• Practical experience with automated machinery, thermal spray, welding, or coating systems, including setup and operation.
• Proficient with data analysis tools and standard engineering software.
• Strong English speaker and writer; 10–20% domestic travel availability.

Responsibilities

• Perform root cause analyses on failures in coatings, thermal spray systems, and automation equipment and instrumentation.
• Conduct tests and experiments on machines and on components/coatings in the lab. Collect, analyze, and report on data.
• Identify and develop technical solutions and improvements in automated thermal spray machinery, equipment, and systems to improve coating, process, and machine quality.
• Provide technical support in the definition, prototyping, assembly, installation, and commissioning phases of machine product development and build.
• Act as a technical interface to the customer.

Skills

Materials/metallurgy

Coating analysis

Bond strength analysis

Microscopy

Root cause analysis

Troubleshooting

Automation equipment

Education

ABET-accredited B.S. in Engineering (Materials/Welding/Mechanical/Mechatronics)

Job description

The Powertrain R&D Process Engineer bridges the gap between materials science and automation. This role sits at the intersection of materials evaluation and automation product development, from performing hands‑on laboratory analyses of coatings to developing and troubleshooting the machines that create them. The ideal candidate thrives in a cross‑functional environment and is curious, creative, hands‑on, and eager to learn.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform root cause analyses on failures in coatings, thermal spray systems, and automation equipment and instrumentation.
• Conduct tests and experiments on machines and on components/coatings in the lab. Collect, analyze, and report on data.
• Identify and develop technical solutions and improvements in automated thermal spray machinery, equipment, and systems to improve coating, process, and machine quality.
• Provide technical support in the definition, prototyping, assembly, installation, and commissioning phases of machine product development and build.
• Act as a technical interface to the customer.

Requirements

• Education: Minimum Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Materials, Welding, Mechanical, or Mechatronics Engineering from an ABET accredited school
• Work History: 2+ yrs experience in a product development, R&D, or powertrain environment
• Technical Skill: Hands‑on materials/metallurgy lab experience, including coating metallurgical analysis, bond strength analysis, microscopy, digital image analysis, and failure analysis
• Technical Skill: Ability to problem‑solve and troubleshoot to resolve the root cause of issues.
• Technical Skill: Practical experience with automated machinery, thermal spray, welding, or coating systems, including setup and operation.
• Computer Skills: Proficient with data analysis tools and standard engineering software
• Language and Travel: Strong English speaker and writer. 10‑20% travel availability, primarily domestically.

Additional Desired Background (Not Required; On‑the‑Job Training Available)

• Thermal spray experience, particularly in parameter optimization and coating development
• Industrial robot, PLC, or CNC usage and programming experience
• Familiarity with metrology equipment and techniques for quality inspection
• Demonstrated technical writing/documentation experience for creating engineering reports
• Hands‑on shop floor or machine commissioning experience
• Customer service or client‑facing technical support experience
• Proficient with CAD software (preferably Solidworks)