Job Description

Shape Your World

At Alcoa, you will become an essential part of our purpose: to turn raw potential into real progress. The way we see it, every Alcoan is a work-shaper, team-shaper, idea-shaper, world-shaper.

Senior Ceramic Engineer – ELYSIS

A New Era for the Aluminum Industry

Carbon Free Aluminum

The ELYSIS™ technology is the greatest breakthrough in the aluminum industry since its beginnings in 1886. Work is underway now to further develop this revolutionary new way to produce aluminum, eliminating carbon dioxide and all other greenhouse gas emissions from the traditional smelting process.

The ELYSIS process eliminates the use of carbon anodes, replacing those with proprietary materials. It is the first industrial process that emits oxygen as its by-product and has the potential to transform an entire industry.

In 2018, two international aluminum producers, Alcoa and Rio Tinto, came together to form the ELYSIS joint venture with the provincial government of Quebec. With support from the Canadian Government and Apple, the technology is progressing and is currently being designed to support the construction of new smelters or retrofits.

ELYSIS is headquartered in Montreal, with Technology Research & Development locations in Alma, Quebec, (Canada), in Jonquiere, Quebec, (Canada), in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, (United States), and in France.

Commercial quality metal produced by ELYSIS during the ongoing R&D process is already being used by Apple in a variety of products (The 16-inch MacBook Pro and the iPhone SE); Ab InBEV (cans); Audi (e-tron GT wheels produced by the RONAL Group), and Corona (cans).

Join the ELYSIS team in this exciting work!

About the location

The ELYSIS US Research & Development facility is located in the Alcoa Technical Center (ATC) in New Kensington, Pennsylvania. Located near Pittsburgh, the carbon-free smelting process was first developed at ATC, where a dedicated team is working to reinvent the aluminum industry for a sustainable future.

About the Role

ELYSIS is looking for a Senior Ceramics Engineer to join the R&D team located at ATC. Reporting the Senior manager, the Engineer will be responsible for leading R&D, engineering and technology commercialization efforts to further the company’s advanced smelting technology.

Key Activities / Responsibilities:

• Initiate and lead R&D projects, define objectives, work plans, and conduct research for the improvement of breakthrough materials in advanced smelting processes
• Apply detailed knowledge of materials chemistry, microstructures, and failure mechanisms to develop fundamental understanding of materials performance
• Conduct activities in materials processing such as blending, forming, compaction, densification, physical, chemical and thermal property analysis and characterization
• Responsible for solving problems to root cause, seek and identify opportunities for improvement and implement innovative solutions required to improve materials development and/or production activities
• Hands-on work requires the ability to apply material fundamentals and technology into practical solutions and applications in laboratory, pilot, and commercial scale environments
• Collaborate with work groups, including external work-groups and stakeholders
• Provide functional guidance and mentoring to technicians and less experienced engineers
• Interface with external stakeholders, including customers and suppliers in conjunction to develop scope, schedule, and cost to meet objectives of R&D projects
• Diligently communicate progress and results through written detailed technical reports, presentations, patents, and publications
• Ability to physically perform work in laboratory and industrial environments, with occasional demands for flexible hours and minimal travel (<15%).

Mobility

ELYSIS is a global company with operations in Canada, France, and the United States.

Business related travel and extended duration assignments or missions may be essential for the success of this role.

About You

To be considered for the role, the candidate should possess the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science & Engineering, Ceramics Engineering, or Chemical Engineering.
• Minimum 5 years of work experience in materials or ceramics processing, characterization, production, and related areas
• Prior experience in ceramic processing, including raw material selection, mixing, pressing and firing.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work and lead effectively within a team environment
• Capable of working autonomously with minimal supervision
• Demonstrated ability to develop project plans and execute to meet objectives within the projected timeline
• Ability to work with resources within and outside the program team to accomplish the work required
• Strong organization, analytical skills for data management, and results presentation
• Lead by example with awareness to environmental, health, and safety principles in a laboratory and manufacturing environment
• Experience in AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or similar computer aided design tools.
• Strong project management skills

Diversity: Be Part of an Unprecedented Partnership

At ELYSIS we are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to success of the unprecedented partnership that ELYSIS is.

We treat each other respectfully, fairly, compassionately and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, or anything else that makes us different. At ELYSIS, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from women, the LGBTQIA2 community, mature workers, people with disabilities and people from different cultural backgrounds. ELYSIS is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.

Be Part of an Unprecedented Partnership

At ELYSIS we are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to success of the unprecedented partnership that ELYSIS is. We treat each other respectfully, fairly, compassionately and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or anything else that makes us different.

At ELYSIS, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from women, the LGBTQIA2 community, mature workers, people with disabilities and people from different cultural backgrounds.

ELYSIS is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.

About the Location

Every day is a new and exciting challenge at the Alcoa Technical Center in New Kensington, PA, just north of Pittsburgh. We develop new technologies with our Breakthrough Technologies team that has the potential to impact the life of millions of people and foster the sustainable footprint from Alcoa to the world. It was here where we developed the technology recently announced in partnership with Rio Tinto, called ELYSIS™, where we will produce aluminum with ZERO emission of greenhouse gases. In fact, we will actually be generating oxygen to our atmosphere during the aluminum production process– a revolution to the aluminum industry!

We are values led, vision driven and united by our purpose of transforming raw potential into real progress.  Our commitments to Inclusion, Diversity & Equity include providing trusting workplaces that are safe, respectful and inclusive of all individuals, free from discrimination, bullying and harassment and that our workplaces reflect the diversity of the communities in which we operate.   

As a proud equal opportunity workplace and affirmative action employer, Alcoa is dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of a person’s gender, age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, nation of origin, disability, veteran status, language spoken or any other characteristic or status protected by the laws or regulations in the places where we operate.  

If you have visited our website in search of information on U.S. employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Alcoa Recruiting via email at gssrecruiting@alcoa.com.  

This is a place where you are empowered to do your best work, be your authentic self, and feel a true sense of belonging. Come join us and shape your career!  

Your work. Your world. Shape them for the better. 

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