Opportunity
We are seeking a Staff Engineer to lead the research, development,
qualification, deployment and continuous improvement of coating and finish
processes for K&B products. You will serve as the technical authority and
collaborative partner for finish development and surface engineering for metals
(e.g., PVD, powder coating, liquid paint, plating, anodizing), driving product
performance, durability, aesthetics, manufacturability, sustainability, and
cost.
This role is both hands-on and influential: you’ll define finish
technology roadmaps, develop standards, mentor engineers, closely partner with
design, marketing, product engineering and operations to develop and deploy
innovative finish solutions and support improving existing finish process at
manufacturing sites globally.
Technical Leadership
& Strategy
Own the finishes technology roadmap for metal
finishing, aligned to product requirements, brand aesthetics, durability
targets, and sustainability goals.
Establish and maintain finish standards,
specifications, and Design for Manufacturing (DFM).
Lead complex root cause analysis and corrective
actions for finish-related failures (manufacturing, cosmetic, functional,
field/warranty).
Metal Product
Finishes & Surface Engineering
Define, develop, and qualify new finishes for
stainless steel, brass, zinc die cast, aluminum, and steel substrates.
Lead technology selection and optimization for powder
& lacquer, PVD, electroplating (Ni/Cr), anodizing, e-coat, conversion
coatings, passivation, electropolishing, brushing/bead-blast textures, and
specialty decorative finishes.
Establish the best practices (cleaning, etching,
plasma/corona, adhesion promoters, silanes) to meet adhesion, corrosion,
and cosmetic targets.
Develop cosmetic acceptance criteria and corrosion
performance requirements (salt spray, cyclic corrosion) tied to end-use
environments.
Contribute to IP generation and technical
publications where appropriate.
Testing, Validation
& Standards
Design test plans to validate coating design and
interpret data.
Lead finish performance testing and coating
quality evaluation methods: corrosion resistance, weathering/UV, chemical
resistance, and abrasion/wear adhesion.
Lead analytical characterization for thin and
thick films; SEM/EDS, XPS, XRD, TED, profilometry, gloss/colorimetry,
hardness, coating thickness (XRF) for metals/finishes.
Manufacturing,
Quality & Supplier Excellence
Lead process transfers, start-ups, and scale-ups
with clear CTQs, process windows, and control methodologies.
Partner with Operations/Quality to improve
first-pass yield, reduce cosmetic defect DPPM, and stabilize processes
using SPC and layered process audits.
Support supplier development and qualification
with new finishes to ensure product quality and cost targets are achieved.
Translate performance, aesthetic, and durability
requirements into finish selections and specs for design and sourcing
teams.
Problem Solving, Project
Management & Mentorship
Strong problem-solving skills & competencies: Six
Sigma, DOE, root cause analysis tools & methodologies.
Strong and disciplined project management capabilities
to plan, execute & document projects, effectively communicate project
status with project teams and senior leadership.
Mentor junior engineers and technicians; provide
training on materials science, finishing technologies, and problem-solving
methods.