The Lead Metallurgist will serve as the technical lead and expert for metallurgical analysis in product design, manufacturing processes, and failure analyses within the Quality Assurance Department. The position will jointly serve the Engineering team and the Forensics and Reliability team.
The Lead Metallurgist will identify and specify appropriate materials, review weld design and construction, lead forensic investigations, and perform failure analyses and reliability studies across multiple Harbor Freight product lines. The role works closely with key stakeholders in Legal, Global Sourcing, Imports and Trade Compliance, Product Development, Quality Assurance, and Merchandising to execute specific product investigations.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Partner with our new product development Engineering team and our suppliers to develop products that achieve our strength and durability goals. Provide materials analysis direction during our product development processes to yield best-in-class products in the marketplace.
- Lead investigations into the origin and cause of alleged failures including potential design or manufacturing defects. Exhibits a sense of urgency in the analysis being performed. Identify and prioritize investigations in coordination with Legal, Product Safety and Compliance, and QA department.
- Serve as HFT Corporate representative and Expert witness in legal depositions on Harbor Freight products spread across several product categories. Work closely with our Legal and outside counsel during deposition preparation. Help prepare other witnesses in the QA department for depositions.
- Provide relevant witness testimony as needed in depositions and trials relating to alleged product failure investigations, product liability claims or product development and design
- Provide prompt weekly if not more frequent updates to upper management
- Partner with several teams (Legal, Product Safety & Compliance, Call Center, Engineering, Product Development etc.) and maintain working relationships.
- Consult on methods, explain results, and write views on technical data. Participate in product liability claims investigations and intellectual property research
- Supports direct efforts of improvement of product quality, safety and compliance to regulations and industry standards
- Work collaboratively with both internal corporate partners and with extensive vendor base to constantly improve quality and reliability objectives
- Perform engineering analysis and provide business risk assessment to the senior leadership so prompt and apt decisions and remediation as necessary are made.
- Maintain and communicate plans with vendors regarding root cause investigation and implementation of sustainable improvements to support accurate resolution.
- Consult on methods, explain results, and write views on technical data. Present findings and opinions clearly and concisely, allowing complex technical issues to be understood by non-technical audience.
- Additional responsibilities as assigned by management
- Regular attendance is required
Education and Experience
Education Requirements
- BS Materials Science and Engineering focus, preferred
- Active Professional Engineering license (in the state of employment is preferred).
- Advanced Degree in Materials Science and Engineering or equivalent.
Years of Experience
- 8+ years’ experience in evaluating weld design and engineering, materials selection, and product failures across a broad range of products including electrical, mechanical or automotive products
- Legal deposition experience
- Experience with working in global teams
- Experience with specific certifications and regulations as follows:
- AWS Codes and Standards
- For mechanical products, focus includes, but is not limited to, CPSC requirements, ANSI, ASME, and ASTM.
- For automotive products, focus includes, but is not limited to, NHTSA, FMVSS, SAE, WSTDA, and ASME PASE.
Skills
- Demonstrates initiative, flexibility, and ability to effectively achieve project established goals and objectives
- Excellence in execution with proven problem-solving capabilities
- Models the Company’s values and influences others to achieve individual or team objectives.
- Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously while prioritizing along strict timelines
- Clearly conveys information to individuals or groups in a manner that is understandable, easy to retain and timely.
- Experience in root cause analysis within a large distributed environment
- Strong sense of urgency, collaborative team style, and ability to quickly adapt to changes in priorities
- A track record of successfully partnering with multiple cross functional key stakeholders, and ability to work in a highly collaborative environment.
- Proven ability in problem solving
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Proficient using standard Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook)
- Results-oriented.
- Strong interpersonal skills. Able to maintain and develop top-level, internal and external relationships
- Effective communication skills. Crisp and clear. Informs and directs appropriately on both verbal and written fronts
Physical Requirements
General office environment requiring ability to:
- Stand, walk, sit for extended periods of time.
- Speak and listen to others in person and over the phone and video conferencing.
- Use keyboard and read from computer screen and reports.
- The ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
- Ability to travel frequently within China to various supplier manufacturing sites.
- Ability to walk factory manufacturing operations and spend considerable time on the factory floor.
Safety
- Must be able to perform this job safely in accordance with standard operating procedures and good manufacturing practices, without endangering the health or safety of self or others.
The anticipated salary range for this position is $109,500 – $164,300 depending on location, knowledge, skills, education and experience. This position is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. In addition, we offer comprehensive and competitive benefits to Associates (and their families) such as medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability. Eligible Associates are able to enroll in our company’s 401k plan. Associates will accrue paid time off up to 236 hours per year (inclusive of PTO, floating holidays, and paid holidays). Paid sick time up to 80 hours per year unless otherwise required by law.
