Senior Materials Engineer, Paint and Plating

Prattwhitney; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 86,800 - 165,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) match

Flexible work schedules

Job summary

Prattwhitney is seeking a Senior Materials Engineer in Tucson, AZ. The role involves supporting military product design and production, developing painting procedures, and ensuring compliance with various specifications.

Applicants must have a university degree with relevant experience and should possess strong communication skills, teamwork, and problem-solving capabilities. This position includes up to 50% travel and requires U.S. citizenship with DoD Secret Security Clearance.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, with a degree.
• Experience in painting, coatings, plating, and surface finishing.
• Knowledge of military and commercial paint specifications.

Responsibilities

• Support product design and production for military applications.
• Develop painting procedures for different base materials.
• Assess supplier capabilities and conduct failure analysis.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Adaptability

Problem-solving

Knowledge of metallurgy

Foreign-language skills

Education

University degree with at least 5 years experience

Advanced degree with at least 3 years experience

Tools

Design of Experiments

Six Sigma

Job description

Position Summary

Senior Materials Engineer – Paint and Plating (Onsite, Tucson, AZ). Requires U.S. citizenship and an active DoD Secret Security Clearance at the time of hire. Up to 50% domestic or international travel.

Responsibilities

• Support all phases of product design and production for military and defense applications.
• Design for corrosion prevention and manufacturability; select and optimize processes.
• Assess supplier capability, conduct failure analysis, and prepare reports.
• Develop painting procedures for various base materials and surface treatments.
• Establish inspection processes and criteria.
• Train operators and inspectors.
• Participate in supplier manufacturing processes.
• Develop, work with, and approve paint, coatings, and surface finishing for in‑house and supplier partners.

Preferred and Minimum Qualifications

• University degree with at least 5years relevant experience, or advanced degree with at least 3years experience.
• Experience in painting, coatings, plating, and surface finishing (procedure development, testing, operator/inspector training, fabrication problem solving, inspection).
• Knowledge of metallurgy and/or galvanic corrosion and protective coating systems.
• Experience developing paint and plating procedures, testing, and contractor coordination.
• Working knowledge of military, commercial paint and plating specifications and European ISO specifications.
• Strong communication skills, teamwork and adaptability across all project phases.
• Practical knowledge of metal processing operations and surface treatments.
• Demonstrated problem‑solving skills, root‑cause analysis and corrective actions in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience developing finishing processes for aluminum, structural carbon steel, stainless steel, titanium, and nickel alloys.
• Knowledge of Design of Experiments, Six Sigma, and statistical techniques.
• Experience auditing coating processes and working with suppliers.
• Proven mentoring and teamwork skills.
• Foreign‑language conversational skills are a plus.

Travel & Location

Onsite in Tucson, AZ with up to 50% domestic and international travel.

Security Clearance

Requires U.S. citizenship and an active DoD Secret Security Clearance; the candidate must be able to obtain and maintain the clearance.

Salary Range

86,800USD–165,200USD (estimates).

Benefits (Summary)

Eligible for medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short‑term and long‑term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, parental leave, paid time off, holidays, and potential short‑term and long‑term incentive compensation plans.

EEO Statement

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified individuals with a disability and protected veterans in compliance with Section503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.