Senior Materials Engineer - High-Performance Alloys

Placements24; Upington; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Retirement annuity fund

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 in Upington, Northern Cape seeks a Senior Materials Engineer to lead alloy development, characterization, and application. You will drive innovation in metallurgy, evaluate failures, and guide material selections for manufacturing success.

The role requires a Ph.D. or Master's in materials science or metallurgical engineering with 7+ years of hands-on alloy experience and expertise in SEM, TEM, XRD, and DSC.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of hands-on experience in materials engineering with a focus on ferrous and non-ferrous alloys.
• Proficiency in advanced material characterization techniques and instrumentation.
• Solid understanding of phase transformations, thermodynamics, and kinetics in metallic materials.
• Experience with failure analysis and root cause investigation of material-related issues.
• Strong knowledge of material selection principles and their impact on performance in various environments.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and documentation skills.
• Proven ability to work independently and lead projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead research and development initiatives focused on new high-performance alloy compositions and processing techniques.
• Conduct comprehensive material characterization using SEM, TEM, XRD, DSC, and mechanical testing (tensile, fatigue, creep).
• Analyze material failures, identify root causes, and recommend corrective actions or design improvements.
• Develop and implement material specifications and quality control procedures for incoming raw materials and finished products.
• Collaborate with design and manufacturing engineers to ensure appropriate material selection and processing for optimal product performance and manufacturability.
• Investigate new manufacturing technologies and processing methods to enhance material properties and reduce costs.
• Prepare technical reports, research papers, and presentations to communicate findings to internal stakeholders and potentially external audiences.
• Mentor junior engineers and technicians, providing technical guidance and expertise.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in materials science and metallurgy, identifying opportunities for application within the company's product lines.

Skills

Metallurgy expertise

Materials characterization

Analytical thinking

Project leadership

Education

Master's or PhD in Materials Science/Metallurgical Engineering

Tools

SEM

TEM

XRD

DSC

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a specialized manufacturer of high-performance alloys for demanding industrial applications, is seeking a Senior Materials Engineer to join their research and development team in **Upington, Northern Cape**. This role is critical for driving innovation in material science, focusing on the development, characterization, and application of advanced alloys. You will leverage your deep understanding of metallurgy, material behavior, and failure analysis to solve complex engineering challenges and develop next-generation materials. The position involves close collaboration with design, manufacturing, and quality control departments. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to significant advancements in material technology within a dedicated and innovative environment in **Upington, Northern Cape**.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead research and development initiatives focused on new high-performance alloy compositions and processing techniques.
• Conduct comprehensive material characterization using techniques such as SEM, TEM, XRD, DSC, and mechanical testing (tensile, fatigue, creep).
• Analyze material failures, identify root causes, and recommend corrective actions or design improvements.
• Develop and implement material specifications and quality control procedures for incoming raw materials and finished products.
• Collaborate with design and manufacturing engineers to ensure appropriate material selection and processing for optimal product performance and manufacturability.
• Investigate new manufacturing technologies and processing methods to enhance material properties and reduce costs.
• Prepare technical reports, research papers, and presentations to communicate findings to internal stakeholders and potentially external audiences.
• Mentor junior engineers and technicians, providing technical guidance and expertise.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in materials science and metallurgy, identifying opportunities for application within the company's product lines.

Requirements

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of hands‑on experience in materials engineering, with a strong focus on ferrous and non‑ferrous alloys.
• Proficiency in advanced material characterization techniques and instrumentation.
• Solid understanding of phase transformations, thermodynamics, and kinetics in metallic materials.
• Experience with failure analysis and root cause investigation of material-related issues.
• Strong knowledge of material selection principles and their impact on performance in various industrial environments.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and documentation skills.
• Proven ability to work independently and lead projects.
• Familiarity with statistical process control (SPC) and quality management systems is a plus.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary and benefits package designed to attract top talent.
• This includes a strong base salary, comprehensive health insurance, a retirement annuity fund, and performance-based incentives.
• Opportunities for continuous professional development are provided through specialized training, workshops, and support for advanced studies.
• The company values innovation and provides a collaborative environment where engineers can make a significant impact.
• Join our team in **Upington, Northern Cape** and contribute to the future of advanced materials.