Powertrain Materials Development Engineer

Job Title: Powertrain Materials Development Engineer

Location: Troy MI (Onsite)

Pay Range: 29 W2

What's the Job?
Key Responsibilities:
• Recommend and approve materials and processes for powertrain components
• Support material selection, specifications, drawings, design reviews, validation plans, and engineering change activities.
• Support root-cause investigations of material, process, durability, corrosion, wear, contamination, and field-performance concerns.
• Plan, coordinate, and interpret laboratory testing, including metallography, mechanical testing, chemical analysis, microscopy, hardness, surface characterization, and nondestructive evaluation.
• Work with manufacturing plants and suppliers to resolve quality and production issues using structured problem-solving methods.
• Assess supplier materials and processes for compliance with engineering requirements and support technical reviews, audits, and corrective actions.
• Document technical findings in concise reports and present recommendations to engineering and business stakeholders.
• Support cost, mass, quality, warranty, sustainability, and manufacturability improvements without compromising product performance.
• Maintain awareness of relevant industry standards, emerging materials, and powertrain manufacturing technologies.
• Manage multiple assignments, communicate risks, and deliver work in accordance with program timing.

Mandatory Skills:
• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of three years of relevant materials, manufacturing, product development, quality, or failure-analysis experience.
• Working knowledge of material properties, specifications, manufacturing processes, and laboratory test methods.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, test data, and technical standards.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical issues to cross-functional audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced engineering environment.
• Ability to travel occasionally to manufacturing, supplier, and test locations.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience with internal-combustion, hybrid, transmission, driveline, or electrified powertrain components.
• Experience using structured problem-solving and root-cause analysis tools.
• Knowledge of heat treatment, casting, forging, machining, welding, brazing, surface treatment, coatings, tribology, corrosion, or polymer processing.
• Experience with automotive product-development systems, supplier quality processes, design validation, and production launch.
• Familiarity with statistical analysis, design of experiments, FMEA, 8D, and related quality tools.
• Knowledge of applicable ASTM, SAE, ISO, or company-specific material and test standards.
• Master's degree in a relevant engineering discipline.

Whats in it for me?

Become a Subject Matter Expert in Automotive Materials

• Own material and process decisions for critical powertrain components.
• Gain expertise in metallurgy, corrosion, wear, durability, manufacturing processes, and advanced materials.

✅ High Impact on Vehicle Performance and Reliability

• Directly influence component quality, durability, warranty performance, and customer satisfaction.
• Work on issues that affect real-world vehicle performance and production.

✅ Exposure Across the Full Product Lifecycle

• Participate in material selection, design reviews, validation, testing, manufacturing support, supplier management, and launch activities.
• Develop a well-rounded product development background.

✅ Hands-On Failure Analysis & Root Cause Investigation

• Solve complex engineering problems involving material failures, wear, corrosion, contamination, and durability concerns.
• Utilize advanced laboratory techniques including metallography, microscopy, chemical analysis, and mechanical testing.

Benefits
Medical and Prescription Drug Plans
Dental Plan
Vision Plan
Health Savings Account
Health Flexible Spending Account
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
Supplemental Life Insurance
Short Term and Long Term Disability Insurance
Business Travel Insurance
401(k), Plus Match
Weekly Pay

If this is a role that interests you and you’d like to learn more, click apply now and a recruiter will be in touch with you to discuss this great opportunity. We look forward to speaking with you!