R&D Engineer

SSAB is one of the largest North American producers of steel plate and coil, serving many industrial markets including energy, construction, agriculture and transportation. SSAB operates five state of the art facilities strategically located in key regions across the U.S. SSAB has nearly 1,200 highly skilled employees in the U.S. Jobs at SSAB range from machine operators and sales people to advanced engineers and corporate professionals in HR, finance and more. SSAB offers challenging careers and comprehensive benefit program designed to keep employees and their families healthy and secure.POSITION DESCRIPTON:The incumbent's primary focus area is physical metallurgy and must have a strong knowledge of thermomechanical behavior of steel. He/she must have or be capable of developing knowledge of as-rolled and heat treatment processes, and will be involved in activities related to alloy development and process optimization in order to ensure that finished products meet necessary properties for various applications. The incumbent will work in the SSAB state-of-the-art Research and Development facility located in the Muscatine, Iowa. The position reports to the Director, Research and Development and has a close working relationship with other R&D staff, Technical Services, Applications Engineering, and Operations personnel.ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / FUNCTIONS:Develop optimal chemistries for different as-rolled products to meet customer requirements.Develop reheating and rolling practices to ensure finished products meet properties for the intended applications.Conduct required laboratory tests, such as tensile, CVN, DWTT, bending, and hardness, to verify that products conform to customer requirements, and for product and process development.Conduct metallographic analysis to investigate microstructures of finished products for use in alloy optimization and process development.Conduct failure analyses and root cause investigations of any quality issues related to product development.Write technical reports to document research work and findings from metallurgical investigations.Read published papers and communicate with colleagues to keep current with developments within the steel industry and academia regarding physical metallurgy in order to offer guidance on possible new products or changes to improve existing products.QUALIFICATIONS - Education, Experience and Competencies:Required:MSc. in Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related disciplineAt least three years of experience in the steel industry or academic work focused on thermo-mechanical deformation of steel.Strong analytical skillsStrong written and verbal communication skillsExperience in using lab equipment such as polishing machine, optical microscope and SEM/EDS desirableStrong knowledge of the impact of microstructure on product performance. Proficient in using the EBSD technique for microstructural characterization and crystallographic texture analysis.Experience in conducting laboratory tests to investigate the properties of steel and failure mechanisms preferredRegular and reliable attendancePreferred:PhD. in Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related disciplineEducational background in material science, and a strong knowledge of thermos-mechanical deformation processWORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:The employee will frequently be required to:This position operates in an office environment. The role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, network tools/equipment, phones, photocopiers and scanners. This role is partially sedentary (average of 6 hours per day), however, some standing and walking is required.The position requires working with laboratory equipment such as optical microscropes, SEM/EDS, bend testing, polishing machines, hardness testing, tensile testing, CVN testing, DWTT machine, band saws, thermal cutting, waterjet cutting, surface grinder, heat treating furnaces, and crane.The position requires preparing various acid solutions for etching steel specimens such as sulfuric acid, picric acid, oxalic, nital etc.The employee will occasionally be required to:This position will periodically require work in the mill and in the field environment with some exposure to heat/cold, walking, climbing stairs/ladders, noise and wearing safety equipment/clothing for protection from hazardsSome handling of materials is required. This would require the ability to walk, bend, kneel or stand, use of hands to finger, hold and handle, reach with hands and arms and to push/pull, lift or carry items up to 50 lbs.Drive or travel by airplaneThe position requires the following vision and hearing capabilities:Talking person to person, on the phone, and/or in group settingsHearing in person, on the phone, and/or in group settingsVision at near, mid, and far rangeThe employee will frequently be required to:Twist at waist level, reach above shoulder level, reach at and/or below waist levelHandle, grip, hold, and grasp with both hands together or separatelyFinger and feel with both hands together or separately; sense temperature and texturesThe employee will occasionally be required to:Drive or travel by airplaneBalance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, or climbPush, pull, lift, and/or carry items weighing less than 50 poundsThe position requires the following vision and hearing capabilities:Talking person to person, on the phone, and/or in group settingsHearing in person, on the phone, and/or in group settingsVision at near, mid, and far rangePeripheral vision and depth perceptionThe employee will be required to sit, stand, and/or walk as follows:Sitting 0-8 hours at a time; average 5 hours a dayStanding 0-8 hours at a time; average 2 hours a dayWalking 0-8 hours at a time; average 1 hourAlternate sitting and standing as neededThe employee will be required to use the following machines or tools:Desktop computerControl softwareMultimeterDatabaseThe employee will work in the following conditions:IndoorsIn extreme heat and extreme coldIn wet and humid conditionsAmid fumes, dust, dirt, and smokeIn confined areas and high placesAround equipment in motionAmid noiseAmid mechanical, electrical, and chemical hazardsAround industrial magnetsWhile wearing safety equipment and/or clothing for protection from hazardsPOSITION TYPE - WORK HOURS - TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:Position is full time, exemptPosition works an eight (8) hour day shift, Monday through Friday - additional overtime as neededTravel for this position is necessary and expected to comprise up to 20-25% of work hours - some international travel is possibleOnsite presence requiredOTHER DUTIES:Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without noticeSSAB's vision is a stronger, lighter and more sustainable world.SSAB's values form the guiding principals of our company.They shape our culture and characteristics. They serve as a compass for our actions and behavior, and describe what we stand for. Values guide us daily in making the right choices and doing the right things.SSAB's values are:Driven - Together we create valueTrue - Do what is rightAhead - Future in mind