Senior R&D Engineer - Advanced Materials

Placements24; Vereeniging; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits package

State-of-the-art laboratory facilities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior R&D Engineer to join our Vereeniging team, focusing on advanced materials. You will conceptualize, design, prototype, and test new materials at the intersection of chemistry, physics, and engineering.

The role emphasizes driving material innovations that shape future product capabilities. Applicants should hold a Master’s or PhD in a related field with 6+ years of R&D experience, and be proficient with lab equipment, DOE, and data analysis.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of R&D experience in materials development and characterization.
• Strong understanding of polymer science, composite materials, or ceramics.
• Proficiency in using laboratory equipment for material testing and characterization (e.g., tensile testers, thermal analyzers, microscopy).
• Experience with statistical analysis and design of experiments (DOE).
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead R&D projects for new advanced materials from concept to prototype and validation.
• Design and conduct experiments to evaluate material properties and durability.
• Develop and optimize material processing techniques and manufacturing methods.
• Collaborate with product design, manufacturing, and QA to ensure material integration.
• Analyze data, generate reports, and present findings to technical and management audiences.
• Stay current with advancements in materials science to identify opportunities for innovation in Vereeniging.

Skills

R&D experience

Problem-solving

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Master's degree in Materials Science

Ph.D. in Materials Science or related field

Tools

Tensile testers

Thermal analyzers

Microscopy

DOE (design of experiments)

Job description

About the Role

Our client is actively seeking a talented Senior R&D Engineer to join their innovative team focused on Advanced Materials in Vereeniging. This role is essential for driving the development of next-generation materials that will shape future product capabilities. You will be responsible for conceptualizing, designing, prototyping, and testing new materials and processes, working at the intersection of chemistry, physics, and engineering. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to significant technological advancements within a well-established R&D department, contributing directly to product innovation and market leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead research and development projects for new advanced materials, from concept through to prototype and validation.
• Design and conduct experiments to evaluate material properties, performance, and durability under various conditions.
• Develop and optimize material processing techniques and manufacturing methodologies.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product design, manufacturing, and quality assurance, to ensure successful material integration.
• Analyze experimental data, generate comprehensive reports, and present findings to technical and management audiences.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in materials science and engineering, identifying opportunities for innovation in Vereeniging.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of relevant R&D experience in materials development and characterization.
• Strong understanding of polymer science, composite materials, or ceramics.
• Proficiency in using laboratory equipment for material testing and characterization (e.g., tensile testers, thermal analyzers, microscopy).
• Experience with statistical analysis and design of experiments (DOE).
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunity to work on challenging and impactful R&D projects with cutting-edge technologies.
• Professional development support, including training and conference attendance.
• Generous paid time off and retirement plan contributions.
• Access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and equipment in Vereeniging.
• A collaborative and innovative work environment fostering professional growth.