Materials Engineer-Metals and Electronics

Req ID 68625 | Northville, Michigan - Livonia, United States

About the Team: ZF is seeking a Materials Engineer to work within their Corporate R&D Materials Technology team located at the new Northville, Michigan R&D Materials Lab.  The Materials Lab is staffed with a cross functional team and equipment to analyze all material types.  The Materials Engineer will work on both local and global material development projects, warranty claims, and occasional production quality topics.  Projects will include consultation, administration, material development, and laboratory testing/failure analysis.  Product exposure includes the entire ZF portfolio of electronics, braking, steering, transmissions, axles, suspension, chassis, and occupant safety.  Materials may include electronics, castings, forgings, plating, welding, coatings, and lubricants (grease and oil).

What you can look forward to as a Materials Engineer:

• Provide Engineering and consultancy services on materials and related production processes, including teardown of components and laboratory testing to support regional and global Engineering and Production teams.
• Use of various Materials Lab analytical and testing techniques to support routine and complex customer requests. 
• Operate equipment and instruments including but not limited to: sectioning, grinding, polishing, optical microscopes, scanning electron microscope (SEM), hardness testing, non-destructive testing, and chemical analysis.
• Precise sectioning and metallographic preparation, specializing in difficult samples such as solder joints, printed circuit boards and small components.
• Visual examination of PCBA for evaluation of tin whiskers, dendritic growth, cracking, corrosion, contamination, damage, and/or related criteria.
• Advise appropriate investigative processes for the evaluation of failures, interpretation of results, reporting findings and to implement corrective actions.
• Provide support for other materials testing activities as needed including surface protection, corrosion, tribology, and contamination.
• Generate detailed lab testing reports and attend customer meetings as required.

Your profile as a Materials Engineer:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science Engineering, or Metallurgical Engineering.
• Strong technical writing and presentation skills required.
• Knowledge of metal properties, heat treatment, and processing required.
• Laboratory and materials testing experience required.
• Knowledge of sample preparation, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, metallography, hardness testing, chemical analysis, and related supporting testing/methods required.
• Practical experience of metallographic techniques, especially with regard to PCBA electronics required. Knowledge of hand tools and automotive products required.

Preferred Skills & Experience: 

• Familiarity with metal processing including casting, powder metal, forming, welding, wear, corrosion protection, and non-destructive testing topics desired.
• Knowledge of electronic assembly of PCBs and electronic materials desired.
• Familiarity with supplier quality, materials management, and production quality systems desired.
• Familiarity lab information management systems (LIMS) and related software tools desired.

Why Choose ZF? What We Offer: 

• Annual Incentive Plan
• Paid Vacation
• 401k Plan
• Health Care Benefits
• Paid Holidays 
• A strong diversity culture
• Supportive Employee Groups and community outreach activities

Be part of our ZF team as Materials Engineer-Metals and Electronics and apply now!

DIVERSITY COMMITMENT: 
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are more than just words for us. They are at the core of the ZF Way that propels our team members towards their utmost success. We strive to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is a natural reflex. We actively seek ways to remove barriers so that every member of ZF can rise to their full potential. We aim to embed this in our legacy through how we operate and build our products as we shape next generation mobility, safety, sustainability and social justice. 

With four generations across 118 nationalities in 41 countries, ZF combines a unique variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and ideas. Together, we solve problems, drive innovation and shape next generation mobility. 

Our company is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with us and are in need of accommodation or special assistance to navigate our website or to complete your application, please contact us. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. ZF is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law. Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer M/F/Disability/Veteran