Technology & Innovation Engineer II

Materion Corporation; Town of Wheatfield (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Materion Corporation is seeking a Technology & Innovation Engineer to lead and support product, process, and service development for PPC across our sites. The role focuses on chemical process development, kit evaluation, troubleshooting PPC chemistry issues, and driving improvement while ensuring manufacturability, safety, quality, and efficiency.

You will operate independently and with cross-functional teams, manage multiple development tasks, and mentor junior chemists and engineers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related chemical science field.
• 3-5 years of professional technical experience and/or relevant industry experience.
• Demonstrated ability to participate in and lead technical projects.
• Strong written communication, documentation, and presentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and support multiple sites.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification or willingness to achieve it (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with Environmental, Health & Safety standards.
• Lead Stage Gate product/process development activities and evaluation of new kits.
• Provide chemical troubleshooting and operational support across sites.
• Drive continuous improvement and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Develop and maintain process documentation (SOPs, WIs, FMEAs, control plans).
• Support evaluation of new equipment and IP-relevant innovations.
• Manage multiple medium-scale chemical projects and report findings to leadership.
• Mentor and support junior chemists/engineers.

Skills

Project leadership

Cross-functional teamwork

Written communication

Documentation and presentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry/Chemical Engineering/Materials Science

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

At Materion, everyone is included, respected and offered opportunity to grow. Join us!

Position Summary

The Technology & Innovation Engineer will conduct, lead, and support product, process, and service development activities for PPC across all three operational sites. This includes chemical process development, new kit evaluation, troubleshooting PPC chemistry issues, executing continuous improvement projects, and providing technical support to Operations, EHS, Quality, Engineering, and Product Line Management.

The role supports both technical and operational aspects of PPC development and follows the Stage Gate process for new product/service introduction. The incumbent must operate independently and collaboratively, managing multiple development tasks while contributing directly to the manufacturability, safety, quality, and efficiency of PPC operations.

Major Responsibilities

• Ensure full compliance with Environmental, Health & Safety standards while promoting safe and ethical operations.
• Lead Stage Gate product and process development activities, including evaluation of new kits, trial cleanings, chemical formulation adjustments, and preparation of technical packages.
• Provide chemical troubleshooting and operational support across sites, resolving process deviations and improving chemical, wastewater, and metal-recovery processes.
• Drive continuous improvement and cost-reduction initiatives, identifying opportunities for new products, quality enhancements, and savings.
• Develop and maintain process documentation including SOPs, Work Instructions, FMEAs, control plans, and safety/process hazard reviews.
• Support evaluation of new equipment, document IP-relevant innovations, and contribute to patent processes.
• Manage multiple medium-scale chemical projects, track progress, generate data-driven reports, and communicate findings to leadership.
• Mentor and support junior chemists/engineers to develop technical capability within the team.

Travel Requirements

• Up to 20-25% travel may be required based on business need.

Essential Qualifications/Capabilities

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related chemical science field.
• Strong chemistry experience, preferably involving wet chemistry, metal/precious-metal processes, or industrial chemical systems.
• 3-5 of professional technical experience and/or relevant industry experience.
• Demonstrated ability to participate in and lead technical project.
• Strong written communication, documentation, and presentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and support multiple sites.

Preferred Experience

• Master's degree in a chemical science/engineering discipline.
• Experience in data acquisition, chemical/materials processing, or product/process development.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification or willingness to achieve it.
• Demonstrated expertise in specialized areas of chemistry relevant to PPC processes.
• Maintaining currency in professional scientific/technical fields.

Materion Corporation and its subsidiaries (the "Company") is an equal employment opportunity employer. It is the Company's policy to not unlawfully discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. The Company also prohibits harassment of applicants and employees based on any of these protected categories. It is also the Company's policy to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions. The information collected by this application is solely to determine suitability for employment, verify identity and maintain employment statistics on applicants.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on the Company. Please inform the Company's personnel representative if you need assistance completing any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.

Materion's Veteran Employee Resource group supports veterans and promotes the benefits of hiring veterans in the workplace. We honor all those who have served and are a military friendly company. Veterans are encouraged to apply and military experience and skills are transferrable to Materion careers.

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