Engineering Materials Specialist – Insulation

Hitachi Energy is a pioneering technology leader that is helping to increase access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. We help to power your home, keep the factories running, and our hospitals and schools open. Come as you are and prepare to get better as you learn from others. Bring your passion, bring your energy, and plug into a team that appreciates a simple truth: Diversity + Collaboration = Great Innovation

Hitachi Energy is seeking a talented and experienced Materials Engineer with expertise in polymers, chemicals, resins, paints, papers, and composites for its NAM HUB Engineering team. This role Plays a crucial role in qualifying new materials and suppliers, ensuring that our products meet the highest quality and performance standards. The role collaborates with our transformer factories across the NAM HUB and other stakeholders to drive the adoption of standard materials. Provides technical / application support to different stakeholders within the company in the development, verification, and standardization of materials and evaluation of available solutions in accordance with Industry, technical, quality & safety requirements. This position is located at our headquarters in Raliegh, NC.

Your responsibilities

• Support the Supply Chain in the development of new suppliers, identify opportunities for cost reduction based on technical requirements and data analysis, and support them in finding and evaluating potential substitutions.
• Understand and analyze material properties and their impact on product performance.
• Compare material properties using material datasheets to identify the best options for our products.
• Ensure the materials meet environmental and performance standards and select materials supporting sustainability.
• Define and develop test plans to validate material properties.
• Collaborate with laboratories to execute tests and ensure accurate results.
• Evaluate test results and make informed decisions on material qualification and disqualification. Collaborate with the engineering teams to facilitate the integration of standard materials and design tools within their factories.
• Coordinate testing of prototypes with manufacturing sites and approving materials.
• Update material specifications in coordination with Global Material Repository (GMR) teams, ensuring they reflect the latest standards and are commercially viable. Recommend enhancements to drawings and existing specifications. Coordinate specification changes with interfacing manufacturing sites.
• Drive the standardization of parts and materials to streamline processes and improve efficiency.
• Ensure materials comply with regulatory and internal Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) requirements.

Your background

• Bachelor or master’s degree in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field with 5+ years of industry experience. A PhD with 2+ years of relevant experience is also considered. 
• Candidate must already have a work authorization that would permit them to work for Hitachi Energy in the United States.
• Production, Quality Assurance, and Supplier development experience in the chemicals industry (e.g., in chemicals, plastics, resins, composite materials, paint, oil, or insulation materials production). Experience in transformer industry is a plus.
• Experienced in data-driven material study. 
• Proven experience working with Insulations, chemicals, resins, paints, papers, and composites.
• Strong understanding of material properties and their impact on product performance.
• Experience in developing and executing test plans.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks.