Lead Material Component Engineer

Job Overview:

The Lead Material Component Engineer –will provide Material Component guidance for Power Supply Design Team in support of telecommunications, high-end computing, datacenter, industrial applications and other mission critical applications.   Support Component Standardization and evaluate new components in the product development process from concept realization through introduction of product into high volume production. These projects will include New Product Introduction, Direct Material Productivity, resolving customer/supplier issues, and sustaining engineering of existing products.   Quarterly and Annual Reviews of our Supply Base is part of the role’s goals.  Capturing actions to address component issues and improving supplier quality through 8D – Root Cause, FMEA, CAPA and Ishikawa quality tools. 

The Lead Material Component Engineer works with key Commodities directly impacting Safety Agency approvals (UL, CSA, CCC, VDE, TUV and others).  The role works directly with Safety Compliance engineering and must understand all aspects of Materials impacting Safety when working with suppliers and new or alternate materials. 

The Lead Material Engineer will also perform Component/Material Analytics to identify Technology Trends & roadmaps.  The Lead Material Component Engineer will steer supplier technology to address business goals and objectives.  Additionally, the Lead Material Component Engineer will assess Material and Supplier Long Term Reliability through the principles of Physics of Failure.  The Lead Material Engineer will be responsible for creating a Material Benchmark of Existing Materials and Components to build future roadmaps and improvements.

This position will be expected to demonstrate leadership globally, working with Technology and Manufacturing teams in Shanghai, and Matamoros on component subjects through all phases of the component lifecycle including addressing Customer and Factory Failures.  Driving Continuous Improvement Year over year inside the organization and at our suppliers is key to the role’s success. Assessing alternate materials/suppliers and providing a competitive supply base with a demonstrated year over year cost improvements is required.

The Lead Material Component Engineer Role will train the technical team in use of engineering processes and Workflow across the organization.   Support and work with internal factories and contract manufacturers to solve production issues on the shop floor. Support the Quality Organization assisting in Failure Analysis of field returns.

Responsibilities:

This is a challenging position that calls for strong academic, design, problem solving, and leadership skills.

As the Lead Material Component Engineer, you will:

• Be directly responsible for the following Component Commodities/Technologies: Printed Circuit Board, Plastics, Insulators, Chemicals/Compounds/Adhesives, and Labels
• Responsible for Qualification and approval of components including component characterization and physical analysis.
• Provide support with alternate sourcing, end of life components.
• Provide support with failure mode analysis, addressing quality complaints, working closely with component manufacturers to ensure corrective actions are implemented.
• Survey/Assess Supplier capabilities act as key technical liaison with suppliers, co-ordinate technical roadmap discussions.
• Understand the Physics of Failure and wearout / degradation of materials
• Responsible for reviewing and approving new part requests and maintaining integrity of the data in the internal PLM.
• Responsible for creating documentation pertaining to the component qualification, component technologies, supplier technology survey etc.
• Provide Component Material Shelf Life & Storage Technical Leadership and Guidance as part of Global Design and Manufacturing
• Provide component material benchmarking and technical leadership to support supplier differentiation and reliability
• Document technical data generated assigned project consistent with engineering policies and procedures
• Participate as a presenter or reviewer in technical and program reviews
• Assure proper documentation of technical data generated for the assigned projects and/or tasks consistent with engineering policies and procedures

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry or Physics with a Masters in Material Science Engineering from an accredited university or college.
• Minimum of 5 years of engineering experience in Material Component Engineering

Desired Characteristics:

• Some Process Engineering or Manufacturing Engineering Experience of materials used in Printed Circuit Board, Polymers, Adhesives, Thermal Compounds, and resin systems.
• Analytical Lab Tool Proficiency Hands on Skills, Maintenance and Analysis of Data coming from:
  • SEM with EDX
  • XRF
  • DMA
  • Ion Chromatography (Anions, Cations & Organics)
  • FTIR
  • Real Time X-Ray
• Strong knowledge of Electrochemical Migration leading to the growth of a metallic or salt-based structure (dendrite) between conductors.
• Ability to apply Six Sigma tools
• Ability to drive projects to completion
• Ability to use Data Science Analytics to drive company technology, sourcing and supplier dashboards
• Understanding of material technology advancements to support business roadmap
• Familiarization with Industry Component Tools: IHS, Silicon Experts
• Understanding and experience in Solder Joint Reliability: Wearout, and Solder Alloys
• Knowledge of IPC 9592B - Requirements for Power Conversion Devices for the Computer and Telecommunications Industries
• Some Demonstration of Forward-Looking Thinking (IP – Patent Submittal)
• Ability to act as a change agent across cross functional organization (Design, Manufacturing, Sourcing, Supplier and Customer)
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to think creatively
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task and communicate in a dynamic environment
• Strong oral and written communication skills; strong interpersonal and leadership skills
• Understanding of materials used in electrical components from polymer/resin systems to other material elements and compounds in support of all commodities. (PCB Laminates, Insulators, Thermal Compounds, Adhesives, Thermal Materials, Dielectric Materials, Labels, UL Safety Requirements)
• Self-motivated, detail oriented, strong team player
• Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required