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Senior Materials Engineer – Metallurgy / Welding / Failure Analysis

Location: Oshkosh, WI – 100% Onsite
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM–4:00 PM
Contract Length: 9–12 Months with Potential for Contract-to-Hire
Interview Process: Microsoft Teams interview followed by an onsite interview

We are seeking an experienced Senior Materials Engineer to support materials and processing engineering activities involving failure analysis, metallurgy, welding, material testing, process evaluation, and new product qualification.

This is a hands-on engineering position working within a Materials and Process Laboratory. The Senior Materials Engineer will investigate material and component failures, perform metallurgical and materials evaluations, conduct environmental and mechanical testing, and communicate technical findings through detailed written reports and presentations.

The ideal candidate will have a degree in Materials Science Engineering or Metallurgical Engineering, hands-on experience working with metals and manufacturing processes, and a Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) certification.

This position is initially a 9–12 month contract assignment with the potential to convert to a direct-hire position based on performance and business needs.

Top Qualifications

Candidates should have:

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline
• AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) certification; candidates with an expired certification who are eligible for renewal may also be considered
• Professional industry experience in one or more of the following:
• • Welding and weld inspection
  • Casting
  • Forging
  • Metal heat treating
  • Metal finishing
  • Metal extrusion
  • Foundry operations
  • Steel or aluminum mills
  • Metallurgical failure analysis

Key Responsibilities

• Perform failure analysis and root-cause investigations involving metallic and non-metallic materials.
• Conduct metallurgical and materials evaluations to identify material, manufacturing, or processing issues.
• Prepare clear and comprehensive technical reports documenting test methods, findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Present analysis results and engineering recommendations to technical teams and stakeholders.
• Support material and process qualification activities for new and existing products.
• Perform mechanical, metallurgical, corrosion, environmental, and microscopic testing.
• Evaluate manufacturing processes including welding, casting, forging, heat treatment, metal finishing, and related fabrication processes.
• Utilize laboratory and materials engineering equipment including:
• • Metallographic sectioning equipment
  • Sample mounting, polishing, and etching equipment
  • Optical/light microscopes
  • Hardness testing equipment
  • Mechanical load frames
  • Environmental exposure and corrosion chambers
  • Digital imaging equipment
  • Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)
  • Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS)
  • Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD)
• Support welding engineering, weld inspection, fabrication, and nondestructive testing activities as required.
• Interface with outside laboratories and technical suppliers for specialized testing and analysis.
• Maintain laboratory equipment and ensure the Materials and Process Laboratory remains organized and in proper working condition.
• Perform work in accordance with an A2LA-accredited ISO/IEC 17025 quality management system.
• Provide technical guidance and support to engineers, technicians, manufacturing personnel, and other internal teams.
• Assist with scheduling, reviewing, and coordinating the work of others performing related materials engineering activities.
• Perform additional engineering duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field from an accredited institution.
• 3+ years of professional engineering experience involving materials, metallurgy, manufacturing processes, testing, or failure analysis.
• Experience performing technical investigations and documenting findings in written engineering reports.
• Ability to analyze technical data and develop practical engineering recommendations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science & Engineering or Metallurgical Engineering.
• Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) certification.
• Experience with welding engineering, weld inspection, fabrication, or nondestructive testing.
• Hands-on metallurgical laboratory experience.
• Experience performing failure analysis and root-cause investigations.
• Experience with SEM, EDS, EBSD, metallography, hardness testing, corrosion testing, or mechanical testing.
• Experience working with steel, aluminum, castings, forgings, or other engineered metallic materials.
• Knowledge of heat treatment, welding metallurgy, metal finishing, or manufacturing process qualification.
• Experience working within an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory environment.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong materials and metallurgical troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to interpret material specifications, engineering drawings, technical procedures, and industry standards.
• Ability to investigate complex component or material failures and determine potential root causes.
• Strong technical writing and presentation skills.
• Effective communication with engineering, manufacturing, quality, suppliers, and external testing laboratories.
• Ability to manage multiple technical investigations and changing priorities.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate laboratory documentation.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional engineering teams.

Work Environment

This position combines office, laboratory, and manufacturing-related engineering activities.

The role may involve:

• Standing, walking, sitting, reaching, typing, and visual inspection throughout the workday.
• Occasional lifting or carrying of materials or equipment weighing up to approximately 25 lbs.
• Working around laboratory testing equipment and manufacturing components.
• Managing multiple priorities and technical investigations with varying deadlines.

Routine hours are Monday through Friday, with infrequent overtime or weekend work based on project requirements.

Additional Requirements

• Position is 100% onsite in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Remote or hybrid work is not available.
• Regular attendance is required.
• Candidates must meet applicable U.S. citizenship and export-control requirements for the position.
• This opportunity is expected to begin as a 9–12 month contract assignment with the potential for conversion to direct employment based on performance and business needs.