Job Description

HWI has an exciting opportunity to join our global Research Team in West Mifflin! In this role, you will be responsible for testing and developing our refractory products. Come be a part of the largest supplier of refractory products and services in the United States.

Summary:

The Refractory Research Engineer III applies their technical understanding of materials science and engineering to support the development of new refractory offerings and evaluation of raw materials. As a Refractory Research Engineer, you will develop and evaluate materials and processes for demanding industrial applications. Your work will connect materials science, mechanical and chemical engineering, and product development. Your work will help our manufacturing teams improve product quality and performance.

Responsibilities

• Conduct agreed to and recommend laboratory research to develop new or improved products/processes/methods and fundamental studies including documentation and reporting
• Plan, list and perform plant and/or field trials and evaluate product properties including documentation and reporting
• Select, fabricate, and test refractory and related materials; collect data and conduct engineering data analysis and statistical analysis.
• Apply refractory application knowledge by reviewing patents, submitting patent applications, reviewing/publishing technical and trade publications and participating/presenting in professional society technical meetings
• Collaborate with process engineering, manufacturing, and quality control teams by providing technical knowledge

Requirements

• BS degree in Ceramic Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering or related field
• The Research Engineer III generally requires four (4) – eight (8) years of experience in refractory research
• Requires knowledge of standard methods for material analysis of Refractories
• Requires skills to operate advanced testing equipment
• Requires aptitude and discipline to recognize and report abnormal test results
• Requires computer operation skills including, proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Requires strong interpersonal and oral and written communications skills and the ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment
• Requires excellent organization skills with accurate and precise attention to detail
• Requires strategic thinking and business acumen
• Requires attention to detail and efficient management of time, including ability to prioritize assignments, solve problems, and meet deadlines

Physical and Environmental Requirements:

• Physical Activity: Requires more than 2/3 of time talking and hearing, using hands/fingers to handle and/or feel and reaching with hands and arms; 1/3 to 2/3 of time standing, walking and sitting; less than 1/3 of time climbing, balancing, stopping, kneeling, crouching and/or crawling.

• Lifting: Requires lifting up to 55 pounds less than 1/3 of time.

• Vision: Requires accurate close, distance and peripheral vision and depth perception and the ability to focus.

• Environment: Requires less than 1/3 of time in an office setting with limited exposure, working in wet or humid conditions or extreme heat, working near moving mechanical parts or in high precarious places, risk of electrical shock, and exposure to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals and/or vibrations.

• Noise: Requires exposure to moderate noise.