Materials Engineer

Pay Range:

The actual annual salary offered to a candidate will be based on variables including experience, geographic location, education, and skills/achievements, and will be mutually agreed upon at the time of offer.

As we continue to invest in and expand our steel case manufacturing capability, we are seeking a Materials Engineer with deep expertise in steel metallurgy and material processing. This role will serve as the company's technical authority on steel materials, driving material performance, manufacturing optimization, and defect reduction across our operations.

This position reports to the Manager of Manufacturing Engineering and is based out of our Anoka office.  

What you’ll do:

• Serve as the subject matter expert for steel metallurgy, alloy selection, heat treatment, and material performance.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, and Operations to optimize material and process performance across production.
• Lead complex investigations into material-related issues, including cracking, hardness variation, microstructural inconsistencies, and product performance failures.
• Analyze metallurgical and mechanical testing data to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Develop and maintain material specifications, testing standards, and best practices to improve quality, consistency, and manufacturability.
• Lead qualification and validation of raw materials, suppliers, and alternative alloy systems.
• Provide technical leadership on manufacturing improvement initiatives, new processes, and capital projects involving steel processing and heat treatment.
• Monitor industry developments and recommend new materials, technologies, and processing methods that support business objectives.
• Mentor engineers and technical teams, helping build internal expertise in metallurgy and materials engineering.

Experience you bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience working with steel materials in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Strong expertise in steel metallurgy, heat treatment, microstructure control, and material properties.
• Experience leading failure investigations, root cause analysis, and metallurgical testing programs.
• Proven ability to develop technical solutions that improve manufacturing performance, product quality, and reliability.
• Experience working cross-functionally with engineering, operations, quality, suppliers, and external laboratories.

You might have:

• Master's degree in Materials Science or Metallurgical Engineering.
• Experience with high-performance steel alloys, boron steels, or advanced alloy systems.
• Background in ammunition, firearms, automotive, aerospace, or other high-volume manufacturing environments.
• Experience supporting heat treatment and steel forming operations.
• Familiarity with supplier qualification, material validation, and quality system requirements.

Work Environment:

Employee work assignments may include tasks working with and/or exposure to potentially hazardous areas, including flammables and explosives. Safety training is provided to all employees to ensure compliance with company and federal regulations.

Benefits:

At The Kinetic Group, we believe the people who build great products deserve great support. That's why we offer day-one healthcare coverage, company-paid parental leave, a dollar-for-dollar 401(k) match up to 6%, career development opportunities, education assistance, and paid time away from work to help you thrive both professionally and personally.