Senior Materials Engineer

About Us

We are a global climate technologies company engineered for sustainability. We create sustainable and efficient residential, commercial and industrial spaces through HVACR technologies. We protect temperature-sensitive goods throughout the cold chain. And we bring comfort to people globally. Best-in-class engineering, design and manufacturing combined with category-leading brands in compression, controls, software and monitoring solutions result in next-generation climate technology that is built for the needs of the world ahead.

Whether you are a professional looking for a career change, an undergraduate student exploring your first opportunity, or recent graduate with an advanced degree, we have opportunities that will allow you to innovate, be challenged and make an impact. Join our team and start your journey today!

Senior Materials Engineer

The Corporate Materials Engineering department located in Sidney, Ohio is the central resource supporting Copeland's varied and global business units. It is comprised of metallurgy, chemistry, and polymer engineering functions.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Materials Engineer with a strong Metallurgical Engineering background and hands-on experience in metallurgy, failure analysis, metallography, SEM, and metals manufacturing environments. and support across our Copeland operations. This role is responsible for sample preparation and analysis, equipment troubleshooting, and authoring clear, technically rigorous reports that drive root-cause resolution and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate brings hands-on laboratory expertise combined with practical manufacturing experience in foundry, flat-rolled steel, or powder metallurgy environments.

For this challenging position, it is required that the candidate has a good balance of project management and technical skill sets. This fully staffed laboratory has state-of-the-art analysis and testing equipment.

AS A SENIOR MATERIALS ENGINEER - YOU WILL

• Prepare metallurgical samples (cutting, mounting, grinding, polishing, etching) for analysis in accordance with established laboratory standards.

• Perform sample analysis using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Fluorescence, optical and digital microscope, Optical Emission spectroscopy, and other metallographic techniques to characterize microstructure, inclusions, defects and chemical composition.

• Conduct hardness testing and interpret results against material specifications.

• Lead and support failure analysis investigations, identifying root causes of part or material failures and recommending corrective actions.

• Troubleshoot and maintain laboratory and process equipment, coordinating repairs and calibration to minimize downtime.

• Write detailed, well-organized technical reports communicating findings, conclusions, and recommendations to engineering, quality, and operations stakeholders.

• Partner with production, quality, engineering teams and Copeland suppliers to resolve material and process-related issues in real time.

• Support internal customers on the continuous improvement initiatives related to material quality, process control, and product reliability.

• Ensure laboratory practices comply with relevant industry, safety, and quality standards.

• Mentor junior engineers and technicians on metallurgical techniques and best practices.

• Model the right behavior in terms of initiative, compliance, safety, moral character and work ethic to create teamwork and mutual respect amongst employees

• Work within a cross-functional global team of internal and external customers

• Ability to travel up to 5% for the position

WHO YOU ARE

• You define overall goals and objectives based on internal and external customer/engineers' expectations and needs. You build and deliver solutions that meet customer expectations. You balance the interests of multiple stakeholders. You consider cultural and ethical factors in the decision-making process.

SCHEDULE

• We offer a work-life balance to our employees. Typical working hours for this role are 7:00AM-4:00PM or 8:00AM to 5:00PM, Mondays through Fridays.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCES & SKILLS

• Bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering, Metallurgy or a closely related field (advanced degree a plus).

• 10+ years of progressive experience in metallurgical engineering in manufacturing or R&D environment

• Demonstrated expertise in metallurgical sample preparation and metallographic analysis.

• Hands-on experience with SEM, optical microscopy, metallograph, and hardness testing equipment.

• Hands on experience with failure analysis methodologies

• Proven ability to troubleshoot laboratories and process equipment.

• Excellent technical writing and report-writing skills, with the ability to communicate complex findings clearly.

• Industry (R&D or manufacturing) experience in one or more of the following: iron foundry, aluminum foundry, flat-rolled steel production, or powder metallurgy or equivalent.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration skills

• Legal authorization to work in the United States - Sponsorship for this role will not be available.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCES & SKILLS

• Master's degree or PhD in Metallurgical Engineering or Materials Science (metal focus).

• Experience applying tribology principles and tribological testing

• Prior experience mentoring technical staff.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT

• This is primarily an onsite position based at our Metallurgical Engineering laboratory, requiring regular presence to support sample analysis, troubleshooting equipment, and direct collaboration with internal and external customer.

• Ability to walk, stand, and move through plant/laboratory environments for extended periods.

• Ability to lift and handle sample materials and equipment (up to 50 lbs) as needed.

• Ability to wear required PPE and safely operate laboratory and testing equipment.

WHY COPELAND?

Our Commitment to Our People

• We invest in our employees to ensure they have the marketplace knowledge, skills and competencies to compete and lead in a global economy. Our training programs focus on end-to-end development from onboarding through senior leadership.

• Benefits

Copeland places a high value on ensuring that employees have a good work-life balance. We provide access to a competitive benefits package, including the following: medical insurance, dental and vision coverage, 401k participation with a competitive immediate match, fitness center, tuition reimbursement, parental leave, and an online wellness rewards program. Immediate vacation and holiday leave available, including a shutdown from December 24 through New Year’s Day. Employee resource groups, including a very active Diversity and Inclusion committee, ensure that the Copeland values are incorporated into everyday employee life.

• Why Work in the Greater Miami Valley Area

Our facility is located in Sidney, OH which is conveniently located within driving distance to several larger cities, such as Dayton, Troy, and Columbus. The area’s generally low costs of living, excellent school systems, and low crime rates create a family-friendly environment. The area is home to several growing communities with restaurants, festivals, shopping, and arts scenes that make them exciting places to live and work.

• About our Location

The newly renovated Sidney campus has 1M square feet of manufacturing floor with an additional 120k square feet of leading-edge lab facilities. This location is the headquarters for the air conditioning and cold chain businesses. Through our 30 years of scroll compressor expertise, our air conditioning related products help bring comfort and convenience in commercial, industrial and residential spaces. The cold chain business helps ensure that food safely and efficiently travels from farm to fork. Approximately 1600 empl