Senior Materials Science Finishes Engineer

Job Summary

Harley-Davidson is looking for an experienced individual to join our CMFG Engineering team.  The acronym CMFG stands for Color, Materials, Finishes, Graphics.  This Engineering team is responsible for the end-to-end technical ownership of all painted parts and finish coatings.  The team is responsible for development, delivery and maintenance of all paints and finishes for all product lines in the business.

This role is the SME (Subject Matter Expert) for paint and ink coating materials.  The role supports cross-functional teams by ensuring technical accuracy, owning Engineering performance and test standards, and performing validation testing.

Job Responsibilities

• Serve as a consultant to project teams for new product development
• Serve as an escalation help chain for current product including consulting on supplier quality issues
• Own and maintain Engineering specifications and standards
• Collaborate and review Engineering drawings for Design Engineers
• Perform validation testing of samples in our on-site materials laboratory
• Proper care and use of the calibrated laboratory equipment
• Prepare test reports of validation testing
• Defect and root cause analysis of organic coatings
• Effectively communicate complex technical information to stakeholdersEngage in innovation projects consulting and testing new coating materials
• Own the location masters process for new product development

Education Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree with Engineering curriculum required
• Preferred education focus in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, Chemistry, Coatings and Polymeric Materials, Paint and Coatings Technology.

Experience Requirements

• At least 5 years of experience in a related field required
• Technical knowledge of paint finish chemical profile, formulation, application
• Design of component coatings for liquid industrial paint, powder coat, organic finishes
• Familiarity with color theory, color observation and cosmetic viewing standards and tools
• Validation testing of samples in a laboratory setting
• Process engineering validation of painted parts in a manufacturing environment
• Interfacing with CMF (Color, Materials, Finishes) industrial designers

Other Requirements:

• Must be able to stand for up to 4 hours at a time
• Must be able to lift and move parts weighing up to 50 lbs
• Must be willing to use machinery to cut and prepare test samples