Remote Metallurgy & Metal Joining SME — R&D Leader

Boyd Thermal by Eaton; Virginia (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Boyd Thermal by Eaton is seeking a Metallurgy/Metal Joining SME to serve as the technical authority on materials engineering and joining initiatives. You will define best practices in metallurgy, develop advanced welding procedures, and ensure our manufacturing processes produce safe, durable components for current and future R&D efforts.

Responsibilities include leading metal joining programs, evaluating welds, selecting filler metals, overseeing lab operations, and mentoring staff.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Metallurgy, Materials Science, or Welding Engineering.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in physical/metallurgy, focusing on metal joining.
• Deep understanding of phase transformations, residual stress, and ductile-to-brittle transition in welded joints.
• Experience with computational metallurgy software and materials characterization equipment (SEM, XRD, OES).
• Exceptional technical writing and presentation skills, with ability to translate complex metallurgical data into actionable engineering solutions.

Responsibilities

• Metal Joining & Welding Leadership
• Develop, qualify, and optimize metal joining procedures (e.g., fusion welding, solid-state joining, brazing).
• Evaluate weld thermal cycles, microstructural changes in the Heat-Affected Zone (HAZ), and potential defects to ensure structural integrity.
• Advise on the selection of filler metals, shielding gases, and post-weld heat treatments (PWHT).
• Metallurgical Analysis & Testing
• Analyze the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of metals and alloys.
• Perform root-cause failure analysis (including fractography and microscopy) to determine why components fail in the field or during testing.
• Oversee metallurgical lab operations, including mechanical testing and microstructural characterization.
• R&D and Process Optimization
• Spearhead research and development for innovative joining techniques.
• Collaborate with design and production teams to ensure material specifications align with project requirements and manufacturing capabilities.
• Evaluated advanced manufacturing process options to improve joint reliability/repeatability through process automation.
• Compliance & Mentorship
• Ensure all metallurgical processes and joint designs comply with industry standards (e.g., ASME, AWS, API) and regulatory requirements.
• Mentor engineers, technicians, and production staff on metallurgical best practices.

Skills

Metallurgy

Welding engineering

Phase transformations

Thermo-Calc/JMatPro

Materials characterization

SEM/XRD/OES

Technical writing

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in Metallurgy/Materials/Welding

PhD in Materials Science or Welding Engineering

Tools

Thermo-Calc

JMatPro

SEM

XRD

OES

Job description

Boyd Thermal by Eaton is seeking a Metallurgy/Metal Joining SME to serve as the technical authority on materials engineering and joining initiatives. You will define best practices in metallurgy, develop advanced welding procedures, and ensure our manufacturing processes produce safe, durable components for current and future R&D efforts.

Responsibilities include leading metal joining programs, evaluating welds, selecting filler metals, overseeing lab operations, and mentoring staff.