Research and Development Materials Engineer

Overview Kadant Inc., a global supplier of high-value, critical components and engineered systems used in process industries worldwide, is seeking an R&D Materials Engineer to join the team at the Kadant Solutions Division facility in Auburn, MA. The R&D Materials Engineer will be responsible for developing and testing new products and processes, improving existing product designs, and providing technical support with the overall goal of growing the organizations’ consumable products business.

Responsibilities

• Use an ‘applied research’ approach to develop new (and improve existing) metallic, ceramic coated, carbide coated, composite and polymer-based blade and wear surface products.
• Develop and complete specialized materials testing programs to evaluate and compare various blade and wear surface products.
• Interact directly with Sales, product managers and customers so that our customer needs, related to blades and other wear surfaces, are thoroughly understood. Continuously evaluate our business’ existing product offerings and identify New Product Development opportunities. Research and test competitors’ products and compare them to our product offerings.
• Coordinate with our European affiliates in the development and testing of new blade materials, wear surface products, and manufacturing processes.
• Research leading edge materials and materials processing technologies and other materials related topics that are applicable to our business (either for product development or product promotion purposes) and present this information to internal audiences.
• Provide technical guidance and suggestions for material selections and surface treatments for new standard products outside of the organization’s consumable products.
• Build technical relationships with one or more of the local technical universities (WPI, UMASS, MIT, and RPI). Utilize these university resources in support of product development and product promotion.
• Provide technical support to Sales, Customers, Application Engineers, Manufacturing, Purchasing and others on materials related topics.
• Work with a “continuous improvement” mentality. Strive to develop new methods and tools that can help our business become more successful.
• Observe safe practices and company policies.
• Perform other tasks as required.

Who is Kadant Solutions Division?

Kadant Solutions, based in Auburn, Massachusetts, develops, manufactures, and markets a wide range of doctoring, cleaning, filtration, and forming systems and related consumables used in process industries worldwide including construction roofing materials, food processing, metals processing, nonwovens, pulp and paper, textiles and fibers, and tissue.

Why consider joining the Kadant team?

• Kadant is named as one of America’s Most Responsible Companies 2024 by Newsweek
• Kadant was named as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity 2023 by Newsweek
• Kadant was named to Newsweek’s list of America’s Most Responsible Companies in 2023.and 2024.e
• 100% of Kadant’s energy comes from renewable sources.
• Kadant serves the pulp and paper industry which has recycled 68% of everything produced and 82% of cardboard since 2009, the highest of any processing industry.
• Kadant serves several process industries including lithium-ion battery production, food processing, metals processing, carbon fiber, nonwovens, textiles, and construction roofing materials.
• At Kadant, our customer-focused innovation allows us to deliver Sustainable Industrial Processing™ engineering services and technologies to help our customers create more value with fewer inputs.
• Equal opportunity employer.
• Diverse and inclusive workplace.
• Competitive wage.
• All benefits are effective upon date of hire.

Our comprehensive benefit package includes:

• Medical, Dental and Vision insurance with best-in-class premiums.
• 10 ½ paid holidays.
• 401k with match.
• Company paid life insurance benefit
• Disability insurance.
• Aflac insurance.
• Lifelock insurance.
• MetLaw legal assistance.
• Employee assistance program.
• Flexible spending.
• Dependent care.
• Educational assistance.
• Employee stock purchase plan.

Qualifications

• Education/Experience:

• S. Materials Science, B.S. Metallurgical Engineering, or B.S. Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Materials.

• Knowledge:

• Solid understanding of engineering materials including: various metals and metal treatments, plasma spray coatings, HVOF coatings.
• Familiarity and understanding of fiber and particle reinforced composites and plastics in general is a plus.
• Proficient with computers and Microsoft applications – Excel, Word and PowerPoint.

• Skills:

• Highly-motivated, self-starter with a positive attitude capable of working effectively in both a team environment and on individual assignments.
• Must be able to work with little supervision and within tight time frames.
• Good organizational skills.
• Good project management skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven problem solving skills.

• Physical/Environmental Demands:

• Up to 25% travel required for installation of prototypes, product testing and training, and technical support of products.
• Must be capable of working in difficult industrial conditions – heat, dust, noise, etc.
• Must be able to adjust work hours as needed to satisfy business commitments.