Advanced Materials Engineer
American Woodmark

Primary purpose:
This professional position continuously supports and Improves AWCs Executive level Vision and Mission through technical discipline education and real-life experiences in advance materials, finishes and systems solutions. This position is responsible for ensuring that the right material is used for the job and may be involved in developing, selecting, or evaluating materials for special uses. This position often works with mechanical and electrical engineers, designers, marketers, and other scientists/material specialists as part of multi-disciplinary teams.



Essential duties and functions:
* Professional position utilizing engineering education, discipline, and experiences to:
o Determine operational requirements, researching new and existing materials and assessing their suitability for use.
o Identifying opportunities to improve, develop new products, and prove accurate cost figures. As well as consulting with regulatory bodies and keeping up to date with technical and legal developments.
o Service existing plants and suppliers with well thought out solutions for existing opportunities of improvement. This will require working on site with the manufacturing teams as a value-added supplier to the plant.
o Engage in systems engineering and the development of alternate product materials and manufacturing systems designs that meet and exceed customer requirements, as well as lower COGS.
* Nurture high level, professional relationships with external suppliers, vendors, contract analytical laboratories as well as internal plants.
* Conduct mid and long-term material and process developments.
* Function on a daily basis as the liaison for innovative solutions, servicing Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Marketing internal and external partners
* This role will dive into complex materials and systems engineering problems to develop solutions that may not exist in market and manufacturing today.
* Troubleshooting manufacturing problems, assign priorities, and collaborate with engineering and manufacturing owners.
* Simulate various conditions to accurately reflect user physics conditions.
* Determine Design Proof of Concept, and Minimum Viable Concept validation steps to accelerate robust solutions.
* Run regression analysis and or DOE experiments to support / validate complex multi variable opportunities.
* Leadership of small, medium, and large scope projects
* Collaborate with other domains in effective systems solutions.
* This position will require the candidate to roll their sleeves up and immerse themselves in the current reality of the issue.



Qualifications:
* The ability to perform this position is highly dependent upon the candidate's level of training and years of experience. A successful candidate must be able to perform essential duties satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, experience and skills required to be successful in this position. The successful candidate must have an innovative mindset with the ability to acquire data and pivot in project direction seamlessly.

Education Experience and Skills:
* Degree in Engineering, or technical discipline. (Material Science, Mechanical, Chemical, Physics, Systems) Progressive knowledge built from verifiable years of experience in related field will be considered in lieu of advanced degree.
* Solid product and process development validation skills.
* Demonstrated problem solving skills, Six Sigma certification preferred.
* Extensively demonstrated sub-systems knowledge -- development of chemical, operations, finishing, electrical control, business intelligence IOT experience.
* Solid use of Root Cause Corrective Action tools.
* Minimum of 6 years manufacturing experience with large process systems -- spray finishing, and man-made materials. Fabrication experience a plus.
* Demonstrated experience working directly on the plant floor with process equipment developing process controls.
* Solid and successful project management skills.
* Experience with working in a team environment.
* Strong planning/Organization & Time Management skills.
* EHS awareness, compliance, and improvement

Supervisory Responsibilities:
This position does not currently have any direct reports. Supervision / Facilitation is required for special processes and teams.



Communication Skills:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common business and technical journals and financial reports. Ability to listen and communicate effectively with customers/plants in an effort to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers/plants. Ability to develop presentations to be delivered to production team or plant level team.



Reasoning Ability:
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.



Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 20 pounds.



Working Environment:
Typical indoor manufacturing environment. The noise level is usually moderate to high and hearing protection may be required on the production floor. Safety glasses are required on the production floor. Some out-of-town travel is required. Occasional weekend work required.

Travel:
Approximately 25 -- 50% pending project depth.



AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The American Woodmark Corporation does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, military and veteran status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, pregnancy, or any other legally protected characteristic; and it will comply with all applicable state discrimination laws. No person shall be denied employment solely because of any disability which is unrelated to the ability to engage in the essential functions involved in the position for which application has been made either with or without reasonable accommodations.

Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Protected Veterans/Disabled