Manufacturing Materials/Chemical Engineer

What Makes a Honda, is Who makes a Honda
Honda has a clear vision for the future, and it's a joyful one. We are looking for individuals with the skills, courage, persistence, and dreams that will help us reach our future-focused goals. At our core is innovation. Honda is constantly innovating and developing solutions to drive our business with record success. We strive to be a company that serves as a source of "power" that supports people around the world who are trying to do things based on their own initiative and that helps people expand their own potential. To this end, Honda strives to realize "the joy and freedom of mobility" by developing new technologies and an innovative approach to achieve a "zero environmental footprint."

We are looking for qualified individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, continuous improvement values, and a strong work ethic to join our team.

If your goals and values align with Honda's, we want you to join our team to Bring the Future!


Job Purpose

Organize various projects simultaneously for new model, new technology, cost reduction, etc. while working with suppliers to resolve any material quality related issues in a timely manner.

Key Accountabilities

• Develop new material/paint color for mass production or new model vehicles. Perform the required tests/trials for material development, create action plans and schedules, and analyze the results of the tests to determine next steps.
• Investigate and analyze mass production issues related to material defects and provide feedback, data, and results to other team members.
• Analyze key areas in department to identify over usage/waste and develop projects to reduce material loss and optimize processes.
• Perform material related recurrence prevention activities and other material investigations with other groups and suppliers. Conduct a root cause analysis, develop containment methods, and implement countermeasures for mass production materials (ecoat, soft chip, surfacer, basecoat, and clearcoat).
• Monitor material performance/stability and work with suppliers to address material related issues.
• Become knowledgeable in your responsible discipline (material and part of the unit) - understand how to perform material checks in paint mix, robot and equipment operation and function, and material development expectations.
• Analyze the material with supplier support to understand material compatibility and how material reacts with different robot spraying applications, film thickness, and booth conditions.
• Support projects and materials business plan themes to improve material workability and development process, reducing material cost, and/or another project/theme related to material quality improvement.
• Maintain and support Paint Quality Management System through procedure/work instruction/check sheet reviews and updates.
• Visit suppliers/vendors to understand their material development testing/process, material production process, and quality assurance procedures
• Ensure good change point management when introducing a new material, process, equipment, or method to production.

Qualifications, Experience, and Skills

• Bachelor's degree (Engineering or Science) or equivalent related experience.
• 0-6 years of experience with automotive paint experience or general manufacturing.
• Fundamental knowledge/ understanding of color theory, paint appearance, and paint film thickness, and the tools used to measure and analyze all three.

Working Conditions

• Travel: 1-2 times per year for 1-4-day increments, both domestically and internationally (Opportunity for additional travel based on training needs).
• Overtime: willingness to work overtime on short notice (expectation of 5+ hours/week).
• Flexible hours: willingness to work alternate shifts, which includes, 2nd shift, split shift, weekends, and shutdowns, as required for new material trials, implementation and quality related issues.
• Able to lift 5-gallon buckets of paint when loading trial system.
• Evaluation of color (Farnsworth-Munsell Hue 100).
• Open office environment.

What differentiates Honda and make us an employer of choice?

Total Rewards:

• Competitive Base Salary (pay will be based on several variables that include, but not limited to geographic location, work experience, etc.)
• Paid Overtime
• Regional Bonus (when applicable)
• Industry-leading Benefit Plans (Medical, Dental, Vision, Rx)
• Paid time off, including vacation, holidays, shutdown
• Company Paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• 401K Plan with company match + additional contribution
• Relocation assistance (if eligible)

Career Growth:

• Advancement Opportunities
• Career Mobility
• Education Reimbursement for Continued Learning
• Training and Development programs

Additional Offerings:

• Tuition Assistance & Student Loan Repayment
• Lifestyle Account
• Childcare Reimbursement Account
• Elder Care Support
• Wellbeing Program
• Community Service and Engagement Programs
• Product Programs

Honda is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected factor.