Metallurgical Engineer

Tenneco is one of the world’s leading designer, manufacturers and marketers of automotive products for original equipment and aftermarket customers, with approximately 78.000 team members working at more than 300 sites worldwide. Through our four business groups, Motorparts, Ride Performance, Clean Air and Powertrain, Tenneco is driving advancements in global mobility by delivering technology solutions for diversified global markets, including light vehicle, commercial truck, off-highway, industrial, motorsport and the aftermarket.

This position is responsible for providing technical support to Tenneco manufacturing and engineering facilities in the area of metallurgy with an emphasis on ferrous and aluminum alloys, sintered metals, chrome plating, and heat treatment.  This role supports product launches, cost reduction programs, and manufacturing operations through interpretation of industry / customer standards and specifications to provide material recommendations and create internal specifications and procedures.  This role must be proficient in both optical and SEM metallurgical morphology for both composition and failure analysis.   In addition, this position will require reviewing and directing the technical activities of junior staff members.

The responsibilities of the person in this position include, but are not limited to…

• Lead failure analysis investigations of metallic (and occasionally non-metallic) components to determine the physical root cause of an issue from component, sub-system, and system perspectives with support of multidisciplinary team, producing detailed reports with technical findings.
• Oversee and participate in the daily operations of the Metallurgical Laboratory in close cooperation with laboratory technician.  Activities include metallographic sample preparation, microhardness surveys, and microscopic evaluations such as grain size, decarburization, failure analysis, and fractography.
• Collect, summarize, and communicate metallurgical data to business units, product engineering, process engineering, Quality, and plant operations.
• Oversee lab testing techniques, maintenance of appropriate test documentation, and ensure the quality and technical accuracy of laboratory reports.  
• Provide engineering support to manufacturing operations for day-to-day analyses and dedicated projects.
• Oversee and support metallurgical and cost reduction programs.
• Coordinate and respond to customer concerns (both internal and external) to the company as needed.
• Assist in the maintenance of Materials Engineering Laboratory’s TS 16949 certification and related procedures.
• Maintain Materials Engineering Laboratory equipment and facilities.
• Manage lab expenditures to annual budget within business guidelines.
• Support and adhere to EH&S policies and procedures.
• Develop and assist with training of technical staff.
• Perform other related duties as assigned or as delegated by Materials Lab Management.

Required Skills:

• Self-directed and motivated with good written and verbal communication skills; ability to effectively prepare and deliver technical reports and presentations in English.
• Be knowledgeable in materials lab equipment such as: Spectrometer, Tensile testing, Carbon Sulfur analyzer, Hardness testers, and other miscellaneous testing instruments.
• Ability to lead and function in a dynamic team environment, while effectively communicating across various levels of the organization.
• Complete understanding of metallurgical theory, practice and application.
• Excellent lab skills, techniques and experience.
• Solid program/project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects in parallel.
• Excellent computer proficiency especially in Microsoft Office products including – Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to travel to suppliers, plants and customer locations to support development requirements (20% estimate).  International travel may be required.

Required Experience:

• Bachelors of Science Degree in metallurgical engineering or materials science with an emphasis on metallurgy minimum. Master’s of Science Degree preferred.
• A minimum of 5 years work experience in the area of ferrous metallurgy.
• Experience in the field of product development, failure analysis / root cause analysis in metallurgy, or automotive activities preferred
• Six Sigma Greenbelt or Black Belt certification desirable
• Must be able to occasionally lift and move 50 lbs and be able to work throughout the day on your feet.

An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.