Sr Engineering Manager, Piezo Ceramics

CTS Corporation; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Benefits

401K

Paid Time Off

Holiday Pay

Employee Assistance Program

Paid Parental Leave

Tuition Reimbursement

Pet Insurance

Job summary

CTS Corporation in Albuquerque, NM is seeking an Engineering Manager for Piezo Ceramics to lead a team of engineers and technicians developing piezoelectric ceramic materials and processing technologies. The role emphasizes technical leadership, project direction, and collaboration across product, manufacturing, and sales teams.

The ideal candidate has a Master’s in Ceramic Engineering (PhD preferred) and 10+ years in ceramic materials with strong leadership and transfer experience.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in ceramic materials and processing.
• Experience leading technical teams and engineering priorities.
• Experience transitioning development into manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coach engineers and technicians in piezoelectric materials development.
• Set project goals, deliverables, resources, and timelines with cross-functional teams.
• Mentor staff, drive tech transfer to production, and ensure manufacturing readiness.
• Collaborate with product management, sales, and manufacturing for launches.
• Protect IP related to piezoelectric materials and processing methods.

Skills

Leadership

Ceramic materials

Piezoelectric

Process development

DOE

Manufacturing transfer

Education

Master’s in Ceramic Eng

PhD preferred

Job description

About Us

We are committed to finding smart solutions that enable an intelligent and seamless world. Our success as a world-class leader in technology has evolved from humble beginnings. In 1896, the enterprising father and son team of A.J. and George A. Briggs partnered with S.A. Buffington, a Chicago lawyer, to establish Chicago Telephone Supply Company (later to become CTS).

Today, CTS is a leading designer and manufacturer of sensors, actuators, and electronic components for suppliers and original equipment manufacturers. We have over 20 locations in 12 countries and more than 3,500 employees. Our innovative sensing, connectivity, and motion solutions offer a diverse range of products across diversified end markets including transportation, medical, aerospace and defense, and industrial. We are at the forefront of supporting innovating life-changing technology, focusing on quality to keep people safe, healthy, and happy.

Position Summary

The Engineering Manager – Piezo Ceramics reports to the Global Director of Engineering for Ceramics and leads a team of engineers and technicians responsible for developing piezoelectric ceramic materials, components, and related processing technologies at CTS’s Albuquerque, NM location. This role provides technical and people leadership to advance material innovation, support new product development, transfer technologies into manufacturing, and align engineering activities with customer needs, market opportunities, and CTS strategic priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of engineers and technicians focused on piezoelectric ceramic materials, components, and process technology development.
• Define project goals, technical deliverables, resource needs, and timelines that support customer requirements, market opportunities, and CTS strategic priorities.
• Provide technical direction, mentoring, and performance feedback to direct reports while building capability and depth within the team.
• Partner with product management, sales, manufacturing, quality, and other CTS locations to support customer engagement, technical proposals, product launches, and business growth initiatives.
• Develop and improve piezoelectric and dielectric ceramic materials and manufacturing processes that meet performance, reliability, cost, and manufacturability requirements.
• Drive disciplined technology transfer from engineering into production, including documentation, process controls, validation, and manufacturing readiness.
• Provide technical support to internal and external customers, including troubleshooting, root cause analysis, material selection, and application-specific recommendations.
• Identify, develop, and protect intellectual property related to piezoelectric and dielectric ceramic materials, formulations, and processing methods.
• Communicate technical concepts, project status, risks, and results clearly through written reports, presentations, and cross-functional reviews.

Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Strong leadership capability with demonstrated ability to manage, coach, and develop engineering professionals.
• Deep knowledge of ceramic materials, powder processing, sintering, formulation development, and process-property-performance relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to transfer new products, materials, and processing technologies from development into manufacturing.
• Knowledge of statistical methods, including design of experiments, statistical process control, measurement system analysis, and gage capability.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and root cause analysis skills with the ability to make sound technical decisions.
• Effective interpersonal and collaboration skills with the ability to work across functions, sites, and cultures in a global matrix organization.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical topics to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Working knowledge of piezoelectric and dielectric ceramic materials, characterization methods, and application requirements. Preferred.
• Experience partnering with customers, product management, and sales teams on technical requirements, customer support, or business development activities. Preferred.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Ceramic Engineering, Materials Science, Materials Engineering, or a related technical discipline required. PhD preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in ceramic materials and processing, with emphasis on mixed oxide powder processing, formulation, firing, and process development required.
• Experience with piezoelectric ceramic materials, dielectric materials, or related electroceramic technologies preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading technical teams, managing engineering priorities, and developing technical talent required.
• Experience transitioning products, materials, or processes from development into manufacturing required.
• Ability to work safely with hazardous materials, including lead oxide, and to ensure compliance with applicable safety procedures and requirements.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as business needs require.

JOIN US

At CTS, one of the ways we recognize the value of our employees is through our comprehensive benefits program. Highlights of our benefits program for full-time employees include:

• Health Benefits
• 401K
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Pay
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Parental Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement

United States EEO Statement

CTS Corporation is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer who complies with all applicable federal, state and local employment laws. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at CTS Corporation will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. It has been and shall continue to be both the official policy and the commitment of CTS Corporation to further equal employment opportunities for all persons regardless of, among other characteristics, race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, status as a protected veteran or status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristics protected by applicable Federal, State or Local law.

ADA accommodation statement: If you require reasonable accommodation in the application process, call Human Resources at 630.577.8811. All other applications must be submitted online.

United States Additional Considerations

It is unlawful in all states where the Company operates, including Massachusetts, to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates applicable laws may be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. The Company does not require a lie detector test as a condition of employment nor continued employment.

Applicants must have valid work authorization that does not now and/or will not in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States.

No agencies, please. We do not accept any unsolicited resumes and are not looking to engage an agency. We receive inquiries from agencies daily. Do not direct any inquiries or emails to hiring managers. It is not our standard practice to utilize agencies; we are a federal contractor and need to comply with the same process for all.

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