Materials Science Engineer II (MATER006658)

Join the RBC - KAHR Bearing Legacy

With continual growth comes opportunity, and Kahr Bearing has an immediate opening for a Materials Science Engineer II.

Work Location: Kahr Bearing, 6950 S. Country Club Rd., Tucson, AZ. For the first six months, the position will report to and work from Sargent Aerospace & Defense, 5600 S. Coca-Cola Pl., Tucson, AZ, before transitioning to the Kahr Bearing facility.

Position Summary

We are seeking a Materials Science Engineer II to independently lead moderately complex materials and manufacturing-engineering activities supporting composite liner production and coating operations. The engineer owns assigned material and process projects from technical definition through evaluation, risk assessment, implementation, validation, and documentation. This role applies materials science, chemical engineering, mechanical principles, and manufacturing knowledge to select and qualify materials, resolve production problems, improve product performance, and establish reliable and cost-effective processes. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong materials expertise, independent judgment, cross-functional leadership, disciplined risk management, and the ability to mentor developing personnel.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development, qualification, implementation, and continuous improvement of composite materials, coating systems, and related manufacturing technologies.
• Establish material and process requirements based on performance, manufacturability, quality, safety, and operational objectives.
• Evaluate and recommend material systems, including composites, polymers, coatings, adhesives, and related technologies.
• Develop and execute material characterization plans, engineering tests, manufacturing trials, and qualification programs.
• Analyze technical data to assess material performance, process capability, failure modes, and improvement opportunities.
• Lead material and process improvement projects from technical definition through implementation, validation, and closure.
• Develop project plans, schedules, technical requirements, risk assessments, and resource estimates for assigned projects.
• Lead investigations of material failures, manufacturing defects, process escapes, and equipment-related issues using structured problem-solving and risk-assessment methodologies.
• Develop and approve material specifications, process documentation, qualification plans, technical reports, and engineering standards within delegated authority.
• Lead qualification of new materials, suppliers, equipment, tooling, and manufacturing processes, including source changes and obsolescence activities.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to technicians, trainees, and Engineer I personnel.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve technical, quality, safety, cost, and operational objectives while maintaining compliance with quality-system requirements.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering curriculum with 2+ years prior relevant engineering experience.
• Engineering experience in composites, coatings, polymers, materials, chemical processing, manufacturing, or a related technical field.
• Must be a U.S. Person.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Engineering, Composites Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Two or more years of relevant engineering experience in composites, coatings, polymers, materials, chemical processing, manufacturing engineering, or an equivalent technical field.
• Advanced working knowledge of composite processing, polymer chemistry, coating technology, adhesion, surface preparation, rheology, cure behavior, and degradation mechanisms.
• Demonstrated experience independently developing or improving materials systems and manufacturing processes.
• Experience planning and executing material evaluations, manufacturing trials, process qualifications, validation activities, or failure investigations.
• Ability to apply statistics, process capability methods, reliability methods, or design of experiments to technical problems.
• Experience leading cross-functional technical projects and providing guidance to technicians or less-experienced engineers.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, material requirements, specifications, and GD&T requirements.
• Experience with mechanical testing, microscopy, spectroscopy, thermal analysis, rheology, environmental conditioning, or other characterization methods.
• Experience with FEA, Mathcad or equivalent calculations, 3D CAD, ASME Y14.5 GD&T, tooling, fixtures, equipment, controls, and automation.
• Experience supporting capital-equipment planning, technical justification, acquisition, installation, acceptance, supplier qualification, or material obsolescence.
• Demonstrated ability to balance design intent, material performance, manufacturing capability, safety, cost, quality, and schedule.

RBC Bearings Incorporated (NYSE: RBC/RBCP) is a leading international manufacturer of highly engineered precision bearings, components and essential systems for the industrial, defense and aerospace industries. Founded in 1919, the Company is primarily focused on producing highly technical and/or regulated bearing products and components requiring sophisticated design, testing and manufacturing capabilities for the diversified industrial, aerospace and defense markets. RBC currently has 56 facilities, of which 37 are manufacturing facilities in ten countries and the market capitalization is approximately $6.2 billion.

In 2015, RBC acquired Sargent Aerospace and Defense.

Founded in 1920, Sargent Aerospace & Defense leverages 100 years of expertise as a premier global supplier of precision engineered customized components that directly contributes to the safe operation of countless commercial and military aircraft, rotorcraft, submarines and land based vehicles.

At Sargent, our mission is to secure our future by making the challenging a reality. We achieve this by delivering high quality products and services that meet customer requirements and exceed customer expectations through employee development, customer focus and continual improvement.

Sargent's continuing investment in people, assets, technology, and process quality ensures excellence and is integral to the company's commitment to customers and their end-users. As we grow, we will continue to root our culture through our core values of Integrity, Respects & Values People, Customer Focus, Teamwork, Results Focus and Continual Improvement.

Company Benefits Include:

• Competitive Compensation
• Bonus platforms
• Holidays/Vacation/Sick Time
• 401k Savings & Investment Plan

• Tuition Reimbursement
• Medical/Dental/Vision Plans
• HSA/FSA
• Life & Disability Insurance
• Accident/Hospital/Critical Care Plans
• Pet Insurance

• Gym & Rideshare Incentives
• Legal Insurance/Identity Theft
• day Fridays

Dedication to our core values. Our must haves...

• Integrity - We do the right thing the right way. Our ideal candidate is ethical, honest in all interactions, delivers good news and bad, and follows through on commitments. Key Skills & Abilities: is fair, credible, confidential, fiscally responsible and accountable for decisions and actions.
• Respects and Values People - We encourage and bring out the potential of others. Our ideal candidate embraces diversity, recognizes and supports the accomplishments, talents and development of others. Key Skills & Abilities: is committed to the building of strong relationships and creates an environment of trust and mutual respect.
• Customer Focus - We act with excellence in each and every interaction. Our ideal candidate builds strong internal/external customer relationships, and goes above and beyond to deliver high quality products and services on time, every time. Key Skills & Abilities: is responsive with strong customer service skills, product and job knowledge to provide excellent customer satisfaction.
• Teamwork - We are better together. Our ideal candidate is inclusive, engaged and collaborative, sharing information, ideas and experiences to accomplish goals, improve decision making and leverage capabilities. Key Skills & Abilities: is a dependable team player, demonstrated through attendance and punctuality, works well with others and has strong communication skills (both oral & written) to keep all stakeholders informed.
• Results Focus - We focus on the outcome, not the obstacle. Our ideal candidate must have a strong work ethic with a results/performance driven track record in a fast paced, changing and challenging environment. Key Skills & Abilities: is adaptable, works with a sense of urgency and high level of initiative and demonstrates a commitment to quality with attention to detail.
• Continual Improvement - We encourage and drive innovation. Our ideal candidate must be naturally curious, passionate and never satisfied with the status quo. Key Skills & Abilities: is innovative and has a problem solving mindset that provides and implements CI ideas.

EEO/AA/VET

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.