Materials and Thermal processing Engineer

Role Overview
We are seeking a metallurgist for the development of sintering and heat treatment processes for metals, alloys, and ceramics. In this R&D-focused role, you will design furnace cycles, define temperature profiles and atmosphere conditions, and establish robust processing for new and existing materials. You will validate process outcomes through material characterization, troubleshoot thermal processing defects, and work closely with materials, process, and product development teams.
Key Responsibilities
Develop and optimize sintering cycles (debinding, ramp rates, hold temperatures, cooling profiles) for metallic and ceramic material systems.
Design and execute heat treatment processes tailored to material and application requirements.
Establish and maintain process parameters to achieve target density, microstructure, hardness, and dimensional stability.
Specify furnace atmospheres (vacuum, inert, reducing, hydrogen/nitrogen/argon mixtures) and setpoints for each material system.
Review furnace run data and logs to verify cycles were executed within specification
Guide and train furnace operators/technicians on new cycles and critical process controls.
Troubleshoot process deviations- oxidation, decarburisation, incomplete densification, warping, cracking and drive corrective actions.
Advise on furnace capability, pyrometry, atmosphere systems, and future equipment selection.
Monitor furnace: thermocouple calibration, temperature uniformity surveys, leak checks, and atmosphere integrity.
Run design-of-experiments (DoE) trials to establish robust processing windows
Perform or coordinate basic characterisation: density measurement, hardness testing, optical microscopy, sample preparation (mounting, grinding, polishing, etching).
Interpret microstructures and correlate them with cycle parameters and material behaviour.
Lead failure analysis and root-cause investigations on thermally processed parts.
Prepare technical reports summarising trial results and process recommendations.
Follow and enforce safe handling procedures for high-temperature equipment and process gases (especially hydrogen and other flammable/asphyxiant atmospheres).
Maintain process records in line with quality system requirements.
Contribute to the materials and process R&D roadmap, including evaluation of new material systems.
Skills Set
Technical Skills
Basic understanding of Metallurgy and behaviour of materials
Material Testing & Characterization
Heat Treatment & Sintering
Metal Additive Manufacturing
Process Optimization
Quality Inspection
GD&T
Soft Skills
Problem Solving
Analytical Thinking
Team Collaboration
Documentation
Troubleshooting
Decision Making
Presentation Skills
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field
3-6 years of experience in sintering, heat treatment, or thermal processing (powder metallurgy, MIM, technical ceramics, or additive manufacturing post-processing preferred)
Working knowledge of furnace types, atmosphere control systems, and temperature measurement/calibration
Understanding of phase transformations, densification mechanisms, and structure–property relationships in metals and ceramics
Familiarity with basic metallography and characterisation techniques
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with vacuum furnaces and hydrogen atmosphere processing
Exposure to advanced characterisation (SEM, XRD, dilatometry, TGA/DSC)
Experience developing debinding/sintering cycles for MIM, ceramic injection moulding, or 3D-printed parts
Knowledge of relevant standards for characterisation and thermal processing
Experience with DoE and statistical process control tools
Skills: sintering,materials,atmosphere,furnace,processing,heat treatment,powder metallurgy

Work arrangement
No