Shift: 1st shift
City: Solon
Swagelok, Northeast Ohio, USA
Position Summary: Leads the Materials Science & Technology (MSAT) team within Swagelok's Engineering organization, managing a team of materials scientists and engineers who support both day-to-day operational needs and research & development. Provides deep technical leadership in materials characterization, failure analysis, materials selection, corrosion, chemistry, chemical proceses, and surface engineering across Swagelok's product portfolio and manufacturing operations. Drives a balanced project agenda of business sustaining initiatives and knowledge and longer-horizon R&D. Partners with cross-functional teams - including Sourcing, Product Engineering, Manufacturing, Product Investigations and Quality - to translate materials science expertise into measurable business outcomes.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities: - Lead, develop, and retain a team of materials scientists, engineers, and technicians; set clear performance expectations, provide ongoing coaching, and build succession depth within the team.
- Direct the MSAT team's project portfolio, balancing near-term operational support with longer-range R&D investments and ensuring alignment with business priorities.
- Apply cost-vs-impact thinking to prioritize materials research projects; evaluate and communicate the business value of R&D investments to senior leadership.
- Oversee materials characterization, failure analysis, material selection, corrosion, chemistry, chemical processes, surface engineering, and related laboratory activities.
- Define and communicate a clear team strategy aligned with Swagelok's broader engineering and product development objectives.
- Manage department operating budget including planning, tracking variances, identifying cost-reduction opportunities, and overseeing capital equipment investments.
- Build and sustain relationships with external research institutions, suppliers, and industry networks to maintain awareness of advances in materials science and emerging technologies.
- Drive talent development through structured individual development plans, mentoring, and targeted training programs; actively engage in succession planning.
- Communicate departmental project status, resource needs, and strategic priorities to senior leadership through regular reporting and presentations.
- As a leader, you are expected to know, enforce, and appropriately escalate all Swagelok associate policies.
- Other duties as assigned.
Approximate # of direct reports (if applicable) - 7-12 materials scientists, engineers, and technicians (direct reports); may also provide indirect technical guidance to laboratory technicians or contractors.
Budget responsibility (if applicable) - Department operating budget including wages, laboratory supplies, capital equipment, and R&D project expenses.
Education and/or Work Experience Requirements: - Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Polymer Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field required; Master's degree strongly preferred, PHD desired.
- Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in materials science, metallurgy, or a related engineering discipline.
- Minimum 3-5 years of experience in a formal leadership role managing engineers or technical professionals.
- Demonstrated track record of managing both business sustaining/operational and R&D/innovation work simultaneously in an industrial or manufacturing environment.
- Proven ability to translate materials science expertise into practical engineering and business solutions, including cost-benefit analysis of technical decisions.
- Experience working in precision manufacturing, fluid handling, or related industries preferred.
- Knowledge of Swagelok products, fluid system components, Semiconductor or Oil/Gas/Chemical applications preferred
Critical Competencies: Essential for Day One: - Managing Complexity: Analyzes multifaceted technical and organizational problems and distills them into clear, actionable plans; comfortable operating with ambiguity and competing priorities.
- Interpersonal Savvy: Builds strong, trust-based relationships across functions and levels of the organization; communicates with clarity, empathy, and credibility.
- Influence: Drives alignment and commitment without direct authority; effectively advocates for team direction, resources, and technical priorities.
- Organizational Agility: Understands how to navigate organizational dynamics to accomplish goals; adapts leadership approach based on context and stakeholder needs.
- Business & Financial Acumen: Applies cost-vs-impact thinking to materials R&D decisions; understands the financial implications of technical choices and communicates them clearly.
- Developing Direct Reports & Others: Actively builds bench strength; creates meaningful development plans and career pathways for team members; invests in talent retention.
Can Be Developed in Role: - Strategic Mindset: Connects MSAT capabilities to Swagelok's longer-term product, materials, and market strategy.
- Decision Quality: Makes sound decisions under uncertainty, drawing on data, stakeholder input, and materials science expertise.
- Cross-functional Knowledge: Builds familiarity with Sourcing, Product Management, Marketing, and Manufacturing/Operations to increase organizational impact.
- External Market Awareness: Develops ongoing knowledge of emerging materials technologies, supplier landscape, and competitive dynamics relevant to Swagelok's business.
Working Conditions and/or Physical Requirements: - Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.
- Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards.
- Office and laboratory environment; may require occasional work in manufacturing or test areas, which may require use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Swagelok provides a comprehensive package of valuable benefits called Total Rewards focused on health and wellness, compensation, retirement planning, and supplemental rewards.
To apply:
1. Click 'Apply Now' to the role of interest, upload your resume and complete the application.
2. Those that match our qualifications will be contacted to schedule a phone interview.
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