Materials Engineer I

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Materials Engineer I

Client: Heavy Machine Manufacturing Company
Duration: 24 Months – Possible Extension/Conversion
Location: Waterloo, IA 50613-8000
Shift: 1st Shift | 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM | Overtime may be required

 

Description

Job Summary

The Materials Engineer I supports materials engineering, laboratory analysis, manufacturing process improvement, and materials testing. The role performs materials engineering assignments involving areas such as metallurgy, heat treatment, chemicals, plastics, finishes, and ceramics, while working under the guidance of senior engineers.

The position also supports day-to-day Materials Engineering Lab operations, including material sample analysis, laboratory equipment, process troubleshooting, audits, work requests, and maintaining lab procedures and 5S standards.

 

Key Responsibilities

• Support materials engineering projects involving materials analysis, testing, and manufacturing processes.
• Prepare and analyze material samples, components, and processes with limited engineering oversight.
• Support feasibility testing and collect data to validate engineering solutions.
• Assist with developing and evaluating engineering standards, specifications, and process instructions.
• Perform inspections and recommend corrective actions to ensure compliance with specifications and regulatory requirements.
• Develop, recommend, and implement analytical or process changes to improve product quality.
• Troubleshoot laboratory equipment, processes, and analytical issues with maintenance and production teams.
• Participate in cross-functional projects focused on safety, quality, cost, and delivery.
• Create and maintain laboratory procedures, processes, and analytical methods.
• Support product development and engineering activities.
• Coordinate with subcontractors, suppliers, and internal stakeholders as required.
• Identify process, system, and procedure gaps and support change-management activities.
• Work within established project plans and timelines.
• Maintain 5S standards within the Materials Engineering Lab.
• Perform laboratory tasks based on Materials Engineering work requests.
• Coordinate with requestors to ensure appropriate work is completed and parts are delivered to the lab.
• Order and maintain inventory of laboratory consumables.
• Track reservation numbers, IM numbers, pricing, order dates, and delivery dates.
• Enter crib reservations in SAP (PDX).
• Collect parts, perform audits, and maintain monthly/quarterly audit spreadsheets.
• Track laboratory work requests and maintain laboratory equipment.
• Support changeovers and adjustments at S450 crankshaft heat treat.
• Maintain coolant levels in laboratory saws.
• Support approval of new consumables for laboratory use.

 

Required Qualifications

• 2-year Associate technical degree or equivalent work experience.
• Strong understanding of part prints, process instructions, and Deere/industry standards.
• Basic to moderate knowledge of ferrous machining processes and their application to materials analysis.
• Basic knowledge of production and analytical equipment.
• Understanding of equipment maintenance activities required to produce or verify quality products.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and willingness to develop technical skills.
• Very good verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience with process control and analytical analysis.
• Experience working in a shop-floor or laboratory environment.
• Experience with production systems and databases.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic engineering software tools.

 

Preferred / Nice-to-Have

• Experience in a Heavy Machine Manufacturing Company manufacturing environment.
• Experience participating as a contributing member of process problem-solving teams.
• Demonstrated technical leadership or mentoring experience.
• Experience with materials engineering or laboratory operations.
• Experience with manufacturing processes, materials analysis, or heat-treatment operations.
• Experience with SAP or similar production systems.

 

Technical Skills

• Materials Engineering
• Materials Analysis & Testing
• Metallurgy / Heat Treatment
• Ferrous Machining
• Laboratory Analysis
• Process Control
• Engineering Testing
• Part Prints & Specifications
• Process Improvement
• Quality Control
• CAD / CAM
• Microsoft Office / Excel
• SAP / Production Databases
• Laboratory Equipment & Maintenance
• 5S / Continuous Improvement

 

Work Environment

• Combination of materials engineering laboratory and manufacturing/shop-floor environments.
• Requires hands-on interaction with laboratory equipment, materials, parts, and production processes.
• Works with Engineering, Production, Maintenance, and other cross-functional teams.
• Some assignments may require independent evaluation and technical judgment with limited engineering oversight.

#ZR

\nCompany Description

As a leading contract, contract-to-hire and professional placement firm, Three Point Solution understands the importance of aligning our client with the right resource at the right time. We are committed to the highest caliber of service that will benefit our clients, candidates and employees. Unlike large, corporate style recruiting firms, we commit to individualized attention that uniquely positions us to bridge the communication gap between recruiter, employer and candidate. Our goal is to cultivate and maintain true partnerships with our clients and candidates.

Company Description

As a leading contract, contract-to-hire and professional placement firm, Three Point Solution understands the importance of aligning our client with the right resource at the right time. We are committed to the highest caliber of service that will benefit our clients, candidates and employees. Unlike large, corporate style recruiting firms, we commit to individualized attention that uniquely positions us to bridge the communication gap between recruiter, employer and candidate. Our goal is to cultivate and maintain true partnerships with our clients and candidates.