Material Developer Jobs in Connecticut (NOW HIRING)

Hiring for a Project Engineer in East Hartford, CT

Job Description

This role supports the Materials Process Engineering organization with a focus on advanced materials and high-temperature coatings programs. The Project Engineer drives project planning, coordination, and execution in a highly cross-functional environment, ensuring alignment among engineering, laboratory, operations, and external partners. The position emphasizes strong project management, independent execution, and effective communication to deliver critical coatings and materials initiatives that directly influence the design, safety, and durability of commercial and military engines.

Responsibilities

• Build and manage detailed project schedules to support coatings and materials programs.
• Support Agile-based project execution and ensure alignment across engineering and cross-functional teams.
• Coordinate activities and deliverables between internal stakeholders and external vendors or suppliers.
• Develop and maintain Basis of Estimate (BOE) templates to support project planning and forecasting.
• Manage project budgets, timelines, and deliverables to ensure successful execution of coatings and materials initiatives.
• Monitor project progress and proactively identify risks, delays, or roadblocks, escalating as needed.
• Facilitate clear and consistent communication across cross-functional teams including engineering, materials, and operations.
• Support hardware movement, planning, and coordination across multiple programs and test activities.
• Ensure timely reporting and status updates to leadership and key stakeholders on project health and milestones.

Essential Skills

• Strong foundation in project management with the ability to operate independently and manage multiple priorities.
• Hands-on experience with Agile methodology and Agile project management practices.
• Experience in project engineering or project coordination in a technical environment.
• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related STEM field.
• 3-8+ years of relevant experience (equivalent to P3-P5 level).
• Hands-on experience with coating processes such as thermal spray or surface engineering.
• Strong understanding of materials behavior at elevated temperatures.
• Ability to coordinate effectively with engineering, lab, operations, and external suppliers.
• Strong communication and organizational skills to support cross-functional collaboration.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant field is preferred for roles with a research and development focus.
• Experience with high-temperature coatings in the aerospace or a similar industry is preferred.
• Familiarity with hardware movement, planning, and logistics in an engineering or lab environment.
• Comfort working in a highly cross-functional environment with multiple concurrent projects.
• Interest in long-term career growth in materials, coatings, or related engineering disciplines.

Work Environment

This position is within a highly regarded engineering organization that is recognized as a top employer for STEM and engineering talent. The work directly impacts how commercial and military engines are designed and manufactured for safety and durability, offering meaningful, technically challenging projects. Engineers can be very hands-on, run projects, serve as individual contributors, or grow into leadership roles, with multiple career paths available for both technical and professional advancement. The assignment is a long-duration contract of approximately 36 months, with the potential to convert to permanent employment after about 12 months, or to remain as a consultant and transition to other assignments. During the contract period, employees receive six paid holidays and accrue one week of paid time off per year, and may be eligible for unemployment for one week during year-end or holiday closures in accordance with applicable policies. Overtime is available at 1.5 times the regular pay rate for all hours worked over 40 per week, providing an opportunity to supplement earnings. The organization offers flexible start and stop times as long as a 40-hour workweek is achieved, supporting work-life balance. Once hired directly, employees may have access to benefits such as pension programs, robust paid time off, and tuition reimbursement, along with defined technical and professional career paths tailored to both two-year and four-year degree holders.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of East Hartford, CT.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $50.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: - Medical, dental & vision - Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital - 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available - Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) - Short and long-term disability - Health Spending Account (HSA) - Transportation benefits - Employee Assistance Program - Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in East Hartford,CT.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 5, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.