Research Engineer We are currently seeking a Research Engineer to oversee the development and improvement of ceramic products and forming processes from early concept through production and market use. This role provides technical leadership across cross-functional teams, supporting manufacturing, product launches, and customer solutions while ensuring reliable processes, consistent quality, and strong product performance.
Key Duties and Responsibilities- Lead applied research and development programs for refractory ceramic products, including planning, execution, analysis, documentation, and reporting.
- Develop, optimize, and scale refractory ceramic forming processes - particularly casting, pressing, and extrusion - from concept and laboratory to production environments.
- Evaluate and qualify new raw materials, establishing test methods, specifications, and quality control standards for existing and new products.
- Support new product introduction into manufacturing and the marketplace by defining process parameters and product specifications, organizing demonstrations, and creating technical presentations.
- Serve as a technical expert and consultant, collaborating with application engineering, design engineering, manufacturing, quality, procurement, and commercial teams to solve customer challenges.
- Provide customer and field support, including technical evaluations, troubleshooting, field trials, and performance optimization of refractory products; travel as required.
- Develop and maintain technical documentation, application knowledge, and best practices; be proficient in the operation of laboratory and quality control equipment to support R&D and manufacturing.
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and cross-functional product development teams to enhance process capability, product consistency, and successful market deployment.
Qualifications- Bachelor's degree required in Ceramic Engineering, Materials Science, Metallurgy, Chemical Engineering, Geology (Mineralogy), or a related technical discipline; Master's or PhD preferred.
- Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in ceramic processing, ceramic manufacturing, or refractory ceramics, including exposure to manufacturing operations or quality of finished ceramic products.
- Strong understanding of high-temperature materials and industrial processes, such as metal extraction, metal melting and alloying, hydrocarbon production, waste-to-energy systems, or other elevated-temperature applications.
- Experience designing refractory ceramic solutions tailored to customer needs, with an understanding of the relationship between material design, installation practices, and in-service performance preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to analyze experimental and production data, identify trends, correlations, and anomalies, and recognize deviations from expected behavior using a practical problem-solving approach preferred.
- Proficiency in interpreting results from advanced materials characterization techniques, including XRD, XRF, and SEM preferred.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Demonstrated high level of integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct.
Benefits- Competitive Base Pay
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) retirement plan with 25% annual company contribution
- 401K program
- Annual Profit Sharing
- Paid Time Off for Vacation, Sick Days, Holidays
- Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, and Vision programs
- Life Insurance
- Short-Term, and Long-Term disability
