Materials Development Engineer

Shape the future of the automotive industry as mobility undergoes a major shift towards electrification and sustainability. As an entry-level, Materials Development Engineer, the associate will have the opportunity to develop new material technologies that will enable Honda to achieve its major goal to "Serve people worldwide with the 'joy of expanding their life's potential.'"

This role requires the associate to work independently and with internal/external diverse teams of design engineers, vehicle test engineers, purchasing representatives, and suppliers. The associate will perform in a full range of materials development and research activity, including: material test plan development/execution, new technology research, analyzing test results, material specification development, new supplier qualification, parts failure analysis/testing, patent creation/submission, written/verbal summarization and reporting, and work request activities relevant to departmental and organizational needs. Will act as a person in charge for assigned projects; may act as Project Leader for assigned research projects. Work assignments are performed within defined latitude for independent judgment, problem solving, and decision making, as well as defined parameters for accuracy, quality, efficiency, and compliance with time schedules and applicable policies, procedures and regulations. Specific technical focus areas for the Materials Division may include metals, thermoplastics, thermosets, natural and synthetic fabrics, decorative coating technologies, anti-corrosion treatments, and/or adhesives/sealers.

• Applies engineering principles/experiences and comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Honda vehicle designs/functionality to conduct new material technology sensing using various methods of investigation including on-line investigation, networking with local and overseas colleagues, and collaborating with material and part suppliers to gather/analyze technological data, determine feasibility, and present findings to technical management.
• May act as Project Leader for assigned research projects, overseeing/maintaining overall project schedule/budget/direction/progress including coordinating project targets with management, creating/updating material specifications to ensure project quality/cost/specification targets are met.
• As person in charge (PIC)for assigned research and development projects, may lead and/or conduct project testing & evaluation of design parts/manufacturing processes through activities including planning/executing tests, conducting failure analysis, analyzing test results, creating/revising material specifications, interfacing with design engineers to propose design changes/recommend countermeasures to ensure parts meet design specifications, and creating/presenting final reports to technical management.
• Coordinates new supplier qualification activities, interfacing with laboratories selected to support project research, development, and/or testing to ensure new materials/parts quality standards are met and required documents such as confidentiality agreements/PRs are created/processed.
• Investigates new technologies/processes for assigned special projects, including conducting market/cost benefit analysis to determine competitive advantage/feasibility and presenting concepts/findings to management for approval to test new technology/processes.
• Actively participates in cross-training and process improvement efforts, including continuous knowledge acquisition in area of specialty, new testing technology research and tracking material science trends.

• Bachelor's degree in related discipline (e.g. Materials Science/Engineering; Chemical Engineering; Chemistry; Metallurgy; Mechanical Engineering)
• 0-6 yrs of equivalent experience in a related field based on education
• Excellent knowledge of fundamental engineering concepts and terminology, the units of measurement, and their interrelationship common to all branches of engineering
• Excellent project management skills
• Ability to learn and advance new technologies
• Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Suite (e.g., PowerPoint, Excel, and Word)
• Willingness to learn and utilize latest digital tools, such as AI
• Must be able to possess a high level of confidentiality

• Travel: 1-2 times/month or more depending on project needs; includes possible international travel.
• Physical: primarily works in test lab; frequent keyboarding; frequent kneeling, standing, reaching, squatting, bending, pushing, and lifting; Ability to push and/or lift 20-50lbs.
• Hazards: may work with explosives/flammables, toxic chemicals, pressurized equipment, moving parts, high voltage, may be exposed to extreme cold, heat & humidity during testing & other hazards related to material testing.
• Overtime: overtime expected based on project demands/responsibilities.