Staff Materials Engineer

Empower Your Future: At MetOx International were pioneering the next era of energy security and abundance through breakthrough superconducting technology. As a Staff Materials Engineer focused on high-temperature superconducting (HTS) materials youll join a multidisciplinary team advancing the materials science that enables next-generation superconducting wire. Your work will directly influence superconducting performance manufacturing capability and the commercialization of one of the worlds most transformative energy technologies.

Based at our global headquarters in Houston TX the Staff Materials Engineer provides technical leadership in the development characterization optimization and scale-up of high-temperature superconducting materials and related complex oxide systems that support MetOxs manufacturing platform. Working closely with Process Engineering Manufacturing Engineering Equipment Engineering Quality and R&D this role combines advanced materials science thin-film engineering and process development to establish technical direction improve manufacturing robustness and accelerate the commercialization of next-generation superconducting technologies.

Key Responsibilities

Materials Development Strategy

• Leads the materials strategy supporting MetOxs HTS manufacturing platform and long-term technology roadmap.
• Develops a first-principles understanding of the relationships between MOCVD process conditions film growth microstructure and superconducting performance.
• Defines microstructural targets (texture defects interfaces pinning centers and composition) required to maximize in-field critical current and manufacturing robustness.
• Identifies and evaluates new precursor chemistries deposition approaches and characterization methods to improve performance yield and scalability.
• Drives the transition of laboratory discoveries into robust high-volume manufacturing processes.

Project & Experiment Leadership

• Designs and leads experimental programs to establish processing-structure-property relationships in HTS thin films.
• Develops MOCVD process windows through systematic experimentation physics-based modeling and statistical analysis.
• Applies advanced characterization techniques including XRD SEM TEM EBSD AFM Raman spectroscopy and XPS to identify performance-limiting mechanisms.
• Leverages large manufacturing datasets using multivariate statistics machine learning and artificial intelligence to correlate tool parameters diagnostics and film performance.
• Develops new in situ and ex situ diagnostic methods to improve understanding and control of film growth.

Integration and Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partners with Process Equipment Manufacturing Quality and Operations teams to transition new materials and processes into production.
• Translates scientific understanding into manufacturable process improvements that increase yield consistency and performance.
• Collaborates with suppliers universities national laboratories and strategic partners to accelerate technology development.

Mentorship and Technical Leadership

• Provides technical leadership and mentorship to engineers and scientists.
• Promotes rigorous experimental design data-driven decision-making and scientific excellence.
• Serves as the subject matter expert for HTS materials MOCVD process science and superconducting performance.
• Guides technical problem solving and supports critical engineering decisions across research process development and manufacturing teams.
• Builds technical capability by coaching engineers fostering collaboration and cultivating a culture of continuous learning and innovation.

Minimum Qualifications

• Masters in Materials Science Physics Chemical Engineering Chemistry or a related discipline. An advanced degree may be substituted for required experience on a year-for-year basis depending on relevance and level.
• 7 years of experience developing HTS materials complex oxides epitaxial thin films or closely related functional materials.
• Deep understanding of processingstructureproperty relationships in advanced materials.
• Experience with thin-film growth epitaxy crystal defects microstructure evolution and advanced materials characterization.
• Demonstrated ability to design and execute complex experimental programs.
• Experience applying multivariate statistics machine learning or AI to large experimental or manufacturing datasets.
• Strong scientific foundation with the ability to connect first-principles materials behavior to manufacturing outcomes.

Preferred Qualifications

• D. in Materials Science and Engineering Materials Engineering Physics Chemistry Chemical Engineering or a related engineering or scientific discipline.
• Direct experience with REBCO YBCO or related high-temperature superconductors.
• Expertise in MOCVD or other epitaxial thin-film deposition methods (PLD sputtering ALD CVD).
• Experience developing vortex pinning architectures and optimizing in-field critical current.
• Experience transferring research into pilot-scale or manufacturing environments.
• Record of technical leadership demonstrated through publications patents or commercialization of advanced materials technologies.

Physical Demands: This position requires sitting at a desk and viewing a computer screen for extended periods while working or performing other office tasks. Ability to move around the office including occasional standing walking and bending to retrieve documents attend meetings or use office equipment. Some light lifting may be required up to 20 lbs.

MetOx is proud to offer competitive benefits including:

• Health dental and vision available on the first day of employment
• 401(k) match
• Paid parental leave & adoption assistance
• Educational reimbursement
• And more!

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex national origin disability status protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.