Senior R&D Engineer, Alumina-Silica Refractories

RHI Magnesita; York (York County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Benefits Package

401(k) Retirement Plan with company 2%

Paid Time Off

Training & Development

Inclusive Work Environment

Job summary

RHI Magnesita in York, PA seeks a Senior R&D Engineer to advance alumina-silica refractories from laboratory concepts to industrial implementation. You will lead projects across R&D, Operations, Quality, and Sales, driving innovative, cost-effective solutions that enhance product performance and manufacturing efficiency.

The role requires 5–8 years in ceramics or related manufacturing, strong communication skills, and a hands-on, collaborative mindset to deliver technical reports and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in a materials/ceramics-related field.
• 5–8 years in ceramics, materials, refractory, or related manufacturing industries preferred.
• Hands-on experience with manufacturing processes (mixing, casting, firing, testing).
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects.
• Self-motivated and collaborative in a team environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; able to prepare technical reports/presentations.
• Interpersonal skills to collaborate across levels of the organization.
• Strategic, process-oriented mindset with focus on innovation and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Develop and improve non-basic refractory products from lab research to production.
• Identify opportunities for new technologies and process improvements via collaboration and research.
• Lead and support laboratory-scale research and innovation projects.
• Coordinate plant trials with Operations and Quality teams.
• Oversee raw material and production trials for new formulations and methods.
• Partner with Technical Marketing and Sales for field trials and product development.
• Provide technical support to Operations as needed.
• Supervise and coordinate work for Research Technicians.
• Investigate product performance issues and root causes of failures.
• Conduct competitive product evaluations and market research.
• Make sound technical recommendations and adjust project direction as needed.
• Collaborate with Global R&D and regional teams on initiatives.

Skills

5–8 years experience

Strong written & verbal communication

Project management

Independent yet collaborative

Analytical thinking

Process-oriented mindset

Technical report writing

Self-motivated

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Ceramic Engineering, Chemistry, Engineering, or related discipline

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

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Fully On-Site

Senior Research & Development Engineer, Alumina-Silica Refractories

Location: York, PA

About the Opportunity

RHI Magnesita has an exciting opportunity for a Senior R&D Engineer, Alumina-Silica Refractories to join our team in York, Pennsylvania. In this role, you will apply your technical expertise to the development and advancement of non-basic refractory products and technologies. Working across R&D, Operations, Quality, Technical Marketing, and Sales, you will help drive innovative, cost-effective solutions that improve product performance, optimize manufacturing processes, and support customer success.

This position offers the opportunity to take projects from laboratory concept through industrial implementation while collaborating with both regional and global teams to advance materials and product development initiatives.

What You'll Do

• Develop and improve non-basic refractory products for ceramic and industrial applications, from laboratory research through full-scale production implementation.
• Identify opportunities for new technologies, product enhancements, and process improvements through customer interactions, cross-functional collaboration, and technical research.
• Lead and support laboratory-scale research and innovation projects.
• Coordinate plant trials in partnership with Operations and Quality teams.
• Oversee and support raw material and production trials to evaluate new formulations and manufacturing approaches.
• Partner with Technical Marketing and Sales to support field trials and customer-focused product development initiatives.
• Provide technical support to Operations teams as needed.
• Supervise and coordinate work activities for Research Technicians.
• Investigate product performance issues, support customer complaint resolution efforts, and identify root causes of failures.
• Conduct competitive product evaluations and market research.
• Make sound technical recommendations and adjust project direction based on results and business needs.
• Collaborate closely with Global R&D, regional operations teams, and other key stakeholders.
• Contribute to broader departmental initiatives and continuous improvement efforts.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Ceramic Engineering, Chemistry, Engineering, or related scientific discipline required.
• Candidates with a strong engineering background and demonstrated knowledge of ceramics and/or refractory technology are also encouraged to apply.
• 5 to 8 years of experience within the ceramics, materials, refractory, or related manufacturing industries preferred.
• Hands-on experience working with materials throughout the manufacturing process, including mixing, casting, firing, and testing, is highly desirable.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
• Self-motivated and capable of working independently while also thriving in a collaborative team environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare technical reports and presentations.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively collaborate across various levels of the organization.
• A strategic, process-oriented mindset with a passion for innovation and continuous improvement.

What We Offer

• Comprehensive Benefits Package - Including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability coverage.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - With company matching to help you plan for your future.
• Paid Time Off
• Training & Development - Access to learning resources and career development programs.
• Inclusive Work Environment - A culture that values diversity, safety, and collaboration.

About RHI Magnesita

RHI Magnesita is the leading global supplier of high-grade refractory products, systems and solutions which are critical for high-temperature processes in a wide range of industries. Serving customers around the world, RHI Magnesita has more than 20,000 employees in 65 main production sites (including raw material sites), 12 recycling facilities and more than 70 sales offices.
RHI Magnesita's team in North America helps build refractory products that solve the most extreme manufacturing challenges. From advanced lithium-ion batteries for laptops and EVs and specialized glass on smartphones and tablets, to the steel and cement that build the world around us, our high-performance bricks and linings make it possible to melt, bend, shape, and refine these materials at extreme temperatures.

With a vertically integrated value chain, RHI Magnesita has helped forge the materials that build industries and economies for almost 200 years. Refractory products are essential to the production processes for cement, steel, aluminum, and many other industrial producers in the region.

Come get fired up with our North American team!