Materials Characterization Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Materials Engineer II – Exempt

Location: Mounds View, MN

Job Description:

We are seeking a Materials Engineer II to support materials engineering activities for medical-device products. The ideal candidate will have hands-on laboratory experience along with knowledge of metals, electrochemistry, material properties, and materials characterization.

This position will support product development, technical investigations, failure analysis, and materials-related problem solving. The engineer will work independently on moderately complex assignments while collaborating with cross-functional engineering and technical teams.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct laboratory testing, materials characterization, and failure analysis to support product development and issue resolution.
• Analyze materials and their interactions with the body and surrounding environment.
• Evaluate material properties and correlate them with product performance to identify and predict potential failure modes.
• Apply principles of chemistry, physics, electrochemistry, and material behavior to metallic, nonmetallic, and composite materials.
• Support the development and optimization of materials, material specifications, fabrication processes, and application processes.
• Perform material analysis and contribute to life predictions, material requirements, and engineering specifications.
• Investigate material or component failures and provide technical recommendations for corrective actions and product improvements.
• Collaborate with R&D, Quality, Manufacturing, and other cross-functional teams to develop technical solutions and achieve project objectives.
• Review technical documentation, laboratory data, specifications, and engineering records to identify critical information needed for investigations and decision-making.
• Prepare and communicate technical findings, test results, and recommendations to internal stakeholders.
• Support quality and regulatory requirements applicable to laboratory and materials engineering activities.
• May review subcontractor material processing procedures and provide technical input as needed.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Engineering, Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related engineering/science discipline.
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience, or an advanced degree with applicable academic experience.
• Hands-on laboratory testing experience.
• Knowledge of metals and material properties.
• Working knowledge of electrochemistry.
• Understanding of how materials interact with the body and environmental conditions.
• Ability to correlate material properties with product performance and potential failure modes.
• Experience with materials analysis, characterization, troubleshooting, or failure analysis.
• Strong analytical, technical documentation, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in medical devices, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or another regulated industry.
• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP).
• Experience with analytical techniques such as:
• HPLC
• Gas Chromatography (GC)
• PCR
• Spectrophotometry
• Experience with materials characterization techniques.
• Experience with corrosion, degradation, or electrochemical testing.
• Experience with root-cause analysis and technical investigations.

Top 3 Skills:

1. Laboratory Testing / Materials Characterization
2. Metals / Materials Science
3. Electrochemistry

Day-to-Day Activities:

• Perform laboratory testing and materials characterization.
• Investigate material and product failures and support root-cause analysis.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on technical solutions and product development.
• Review technical documentation, specifications, and test data.
• Analyze material behavior and its impact on product performance.
• Document and communicate technical findings and recommendations.

Work Environment:

This is an onsite position in Mounds View, Minnesota. The engineer will work in laboratory and engineering environments and collaborate regularly with cross-functional teams.

Equal Opportunity:

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified candidates and maintaining an inclusive workplace.