Senior Ceramic Materials Engineer – Carbon-Free Smelting R&D

Alcoa Corporation; New Kensington (Westmoreland County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Alcoa Corporation is seeking a Senior Materials Development Engineer for the ELYSIS program at the New Kensington, PA site. You will lead R&D on ceramic electrodes and partner with production and industrialization teams to drive data-based decisions and successful scale-up.

The role demands a graduate degree in ceramics-related fields, 5–10 years of ceramic materials experience, and strong skills in sintering, data analysis, project management, and cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant engineering field with 5–10 years of ceramic materials experience.
• Experience with ceramic sintering, processing equipment, and scale-up.
• Strong data management and analytical skills for results presentation.

Responsibilities

• Creates and executes technical programs to reduce industrialization scale-up risks for critical equipment and processes.
• Leads projects, defines objectives, develops work plans, and builds on past advances in breakthrough ceramic materials.
• Provides data-based guidance for equipment and process design to reduce industrialization risk.
• Supports development of technical specifications for materials and equipment through improvements and new programs.
• Applies a hands-on approach to practical solutions in lab, pilot, and commercial environments.
• Uses root cause analysis to resolve material or production issues with robust solutions.
• Seeks opportunities for improvements and implements innovative solutions to advance goals.
• Manages scopes, schedules, and budgets with internal/external stakeholders and communicates results clearly.

Skills

Ceramic materials

Sintering

Scale-up

Project management

Data analysis

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Communication

Education

Graduate degree in Materials Science & Engineering or Ceramics/Chemical Engineering

Job description

Alcoa Corporation is seeking a Senior Materials Development Engineer for the ELYSIS program at the New Kensington, PA site. You will lead R&D on ceramic electrodes and partner with production and industrialization teams to drive data-based decisions and successful scale-up.

The role demands a graduate degree in ceramics-related fields, 5–10 years of ceramic materials experience, and strong skills in sintering, data analysis, project management, and cross-functional collaboration.