Materials Development Engineer

QuesTek Innovations LLC, located in Evanston, IL, a pioneer and leader in the field of Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME), is seeking candidates for a Materials Development Engineer in its Applications & Development Group to perform work related to applied research, project management, experimentation, and supply chain management for material prototyping on Government and industry R&D programs to solve materials challenges. You will collaborate with our cross-functional teams, including personnel in materials applications and materials development, materials design, software development, computational modeling, and project management to deliver exceptional solutions for QuesTek's clients. This is a position for new experienced candidates; however, all applicants are welcome.

The primary responsibilities and activities of this position will include:

• Project management including client and vendor interfacing and relationship building
• Perform experimentation on metal alloys (e.g. lab-scale material synthesis, processing, and characterization)
• Coordinate material processing (e.g. melting/procurement, thermomechanical processing, heat treatment) and testing (e.g. mechanical, physical properties, or other testing) to develop datasets for custom materials
• Use Integrated Computational Materials Engineering tools to develop materials and processes
• Contribute to proposal efforts to capture new opportunities
• Work in a fast-paced innovative environment requiring creativity to deliver on challenging program deliverables with guidance
• Lead research programs or tasks within complex multi-faceted research and development programs, manage program/task budgets, and coordinate both planning and execution of tasks
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop composition-process-microstructure-property relationships
• Communicate key results, anticipated challenges, and recommendations to others within the company

Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Materials Science & Engineering or closely related field
• Strong understanding of metallurgy and metallography
• Experience with planning and completing materials research programs
• Experience working in a research/laboratory environment and characterizing metals
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail
• Strong teamwork, communication, professionalism, writing, documentation, and time management skills
• At least two to six years of industry relevant experience or equivalent

Preferred candidates will also have experience in:

• Characterization and advanced characterization of metal alloys (e.g. light optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, local electrode atom probe, etc.) and analysis of microstructures
• Novel or advanced manufacturing processes (including metal additive manufacturing)
• Mechanical testing techniques, analysis, and fractography (e.g. tensile, fracture toughness, fatigue, etc.)
• Multiple material systems (e.g. steel, aluminum, titanium, copper, nickel, refractory metals, etc.)
• Manufacturing of components (casting, forging, machining, thermal processing, and cladding)
• Supply chain and vendor management
• Project management, including scheduling, budgeting, coordination of efforts, and interpreting contractual requirements
• ASTM standards and specifications
• Research proposal writing
• Using ICME tools (e.g. calculating phase stability windows to inform material processing, etc.)
• Understanding of how characterization data is used by other software tools (e.g. ICME tools, processing tools, etc.)

Benefits Overview - QuesTek Innovations LLC (2025)

At QuesTek Innovations LLC, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being of our employees. Our full-time employees (40 hours per week) receive the following benefits:

• 401(k) Safe Harbor Plan: Eligible from the date of hire, with a 3% employer contribution, fully vested immediately. The maximum employee contribution is $23,500 annually, with an additional $7,500 catch-up contribution for employees aged 50+.
• Medical Insurance (United Healthcare PPO - HSA Plan): QuesTek covers 75% of the premium, with an employer HSA contribution of 50% of the deductible, plus matching of additional employee contributions up to the IRS limit.
• Dental & Vision Insurance (Guardian): Employer covers 75% of the premium.
• Life Insurance: Company-paid coverage of $50,000.
• Supplemental Life Insurance: Option to purchase coverage up to 3 times annual earnings or $250,000.
• Long-Term Disability Insurance: Company-paid coverage at 66.66% of salary (after a 90-day waiting period, up to $8,000/month).
• Extended Medical Leave: Up to 20 paid business days after a 5-day waiting period, plus 10 additional days for intermittent treatment.
• Pre-Tax Benefits: Participation in Section 125 Premium Only Plan, Limited Flexible Spending Account (LFSA), and Transit/Commuter benefits plan.
• Paid Holidays & Personal Holidays: 11 days per year, including 7 scheduled holidays and 4 floating holidays.
• Vacation Leave: 10 days in the first year, increasing annually to a maximum of 25 days after 15 years of service.
• Sick Leave: 5 paid days per year.
• Parental Leave: Available per company policy
• Full-time staff are eligible to participate in QuesTek's Value Appreciation Rights (VARs) program. This is a long-term incentive program that allows new staff to benefit from the growth in the valuation of the Company.

Due to the sensitive nature of the work associated with this position, QuesTek is only able to consider candidates who are permanent United States citizens or Green Card holders - no exceptions. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Salary Description

$80,000 to $105,000 per year