Materials and Thermal processing Engineer

Role OverviewWe are seeking a metallurgist for the development of sintering and heat treatment processes for metals, alloys, and ceramics. In this R&D-focused role, you will design furnace cycles, define temperature profiles and atmosphere conditions, and establish robust processing for new and existing materials. You will validate process outcomes through material characterization, troubleshoot thermal processing defects, and work closely with materials, process, and product development teams.Key ResponsibilitiesDevelop and optimize sintering cycles (debinding, ramp rates, hold temperatures, cooling profiles) for metallic and ceramic material systems. Design and execute heat treatment processes tailored to material and application requirements. Establish and maintain process parameters to achieve target density, microstructure, hardness, and dimensional stability. Specify furnace atmospheres (vacuum, inert, reducing, hydrogen/nitrogen/argon mixtures) and setpoints for each material system. Review furnace run data and logs to verify cycles were executed within specification Guide and train furnace operators/technicians on new cycles and critical process controls. Troubleshoot process deviations- oxidation, decarburisation, incomplete densification, warping, cracking and drive corrective actions. Advise on furnace capability, pyrometry, atmosphere systems, and future equipment selection. Monitor furnace: thermocouple calibration, temperature uniformity surveys, leak checks, and atmosphere integrity. Run design-of-experiments (DoE) trials to establish robust processing windows Perform or coordinate basic characterisation: density measurement, hardness testing, optical microscopy, sample preparation (mounting, grinding, polishing, etching). Interpret microstructures and correlate them with cycle parameters and material behaviour. Lead failure analysis and root-cause investigations on thermally processed parts. Prepare technical reports summarising trial results and process recommendations. Follow and enforce safe handling procedures for high-temperature equipment and process gases (especially hydrogen and other flammable/asphyxiant atmospheres). Maintain process records in line with quality system requirements. Contribute to the materials and process R&D roadmap, including evaluation of new material systems. Skills SetTechnical SkillsBasic understanding of Metallurgy and behaviour of materials Material Testing & Characterization Heat Treatment & Sintering Metal Additive Manufacturing Process Optimization Quality Inspection GD&T Soft SkillsProblem Solving Analytical Thinking Team Collaboration Documentation Troubleshooting Decision Making Presentation Skills Required QualificationsBachelor's or Master's degree in Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field 3-6 years of experience in sintering, heat treatment, or thermal processing (powder metallurgy, MIM, technical ceramics, or additive manufacturing post-processing preferred) Working knowledge of furnace types, atmosphere control systems, and temperature measurement/calibration Understanding of phase transformations, densification mechanisms, and structure–property relationships in metals and ceramics Familiarity with basic metallography and characterisation techniques Preferred QualificationsExperience with vacuum furnaces and hydrogen atmosphere processing Exposure to advanced characterisation (SEM, XRD, dilatometry, TGA/DSC) Experience developing debinding/sintering cycles for MIM, ceramic injection moulding, or 3D-printed parts Knowledge of relevant standards for characterisation and thermal processing Experience with DoE and statistical process control tools Skills: sintering,materials,atmosphere,furnace,processing,heat treatment,powder metallurgy