Application Engineer

REPORTS TO: Product Engineering Manager

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

SUPERVISES: N/A

Benefits

• Salary range $90,000 to $120,000 base
• High deductible medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, including spouse and children (modest payroll deductions)
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Vacation (starting at 3 weeks a year)
• Supplemental leave (used in conjunction with Washington Paid Family & Medical Leave)
• 401K with matching company funds
• Quarterly bonus structure
• Tuition reimbursement

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Application Engineer provides technical expertise and drives the development and improvement of end-product applications.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and completing product improvement and differentiation projects
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams (Alloy Development, Process Engineering, R&D) to complete prioritized tasks and initiatives
• Conducting research on the influence of processing methods like casting, rolling, heat treatment, and aging on material performance
• Interacting with Kaiser customers to understand improved product performance metrics
• Writing technical reports, documenting project outcomes, and delivering presentations on progress
• Researching new and existing materials and/or processes for potential improvements to Kaiser Aluminum product line
• Designing experiments using research and production processing equipment
• Analyze experimental results and make recommendations based on analysis
• Performing field sampling and analysis of aluminum products
• Review customer, product, and industry specifications in the product development process
• Follow Kaiser's New Product Introduction process and adhere to applicable quality procedures
• Maintain Application Readiness Level or Technology Readiness Level tracking for development projects
• Supporting plant safety initiatives through active involvement in the safety process

EDUCATION

A Bachelor's Degree in Metallurgy, Material Science, Mechanical Engineering or related engineering field is required.

This individual will possess:

• Minimum 3 years of experience in aluminum processing or manufacturing
• Strong background in physical metallurgy and/or manufacturing processing aluminum
• Proven ability to work in a low supervision environment while successfully meeting goal
• Excellent analytical skills (statistical data analysis experience is a plus)
• Strong PC skills, including Windows Office products and various data collection and analysis packages
• Self-sufficient in data acquisition, analysis, and report writing
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) and organizational skills
• Proven ability to work in teams
• Must be a USA person (identified as US Citizen, US Permanent Resident (Green Card), any individual who is granted status as a "protected person" under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

This individual will:

• Be energetic, disciplined and focused on a team building operational organization
• Be well organized and data driven
• Have well developed interpersonal and business partnering skills, with the ability to quickly adapt to, be accepted by, and interrelate with the organization at all levels
• Be willing to work flexible hours if the need arises for product development efforts

PERFORMANCE FACTORS

• Attendance and Dependability: The employee can be depended on to report to work at the scheduled time and is seldom absent from work. Employee can be depended upon to complete work in a timely, accurate, and thorough manner and is conscientious about assignments.
• Communication and Contact: The employee communicates effectively both verbally and in writing with superiors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside the Company.
• Relationships with Others: The employee works effectively and relates well with others including superiors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside the Company. The employee exhibits a professional manner in dealing with others and works to maintain constructive working relationships.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Approximately 75% of the job function is performed in an office setting requiring normal safety precautions. 25% of the job function is required in the plant. There is exposure to operating machinery and a manufacturing environment.