Senior Research Engineer I - Fire Performance & Durability - Military Veterans
at Saint-Gobain
WHY DO WE NEED YOU?
The Analytical and Material Characterization team within Saint-Gobain Research North America is seeking a hands-on Senior Research Engineer to lead our Fire Performance and Durability testing activities. Our team thrives on solving complex problems and supporting our internal customers' product development efforts. We provide best in class expertise and testing support to generate the data and insights needed by our internal customers to drive innovation. By fostering a culture of care and collaboration, we ensure that our team members can focus on what they do best-delivering exceptional service and expertise to help our customers succeed.
The Senior Research Engineer I will enable the success of their customer's product development and qualification. This role is ideal for individuals passionate about creating and applying advanced material characterization tests to support new product development. The focus will be on gaining deep technical expertise in analyzing material structure-property relationships to drive engineering and business decisions for various materials, including thermoplastics, composites, biopolymers and inorganic materials. This position emphasizes technical proficiency and innovation in testing methodologies through active listening skills to identify our customer's needs, and creative problem-solving skills. We combine literature search, scientific knowledge, and hands-on experiments in support of current and next generation products in the construction industry and high-performance materials sectors.
The new team member will leverage their engineering, material science, polymer science and data analysis expertise to uncover how material structure-property relationships impact performance and durability. They will generate data to drive engineering and business decisions related to formulation, manufacturing processes, compliance, lifetime, and cost. Functions the team member will engage with include R&D colleagues, marketing and commercial project team members, application engineers, external customers, and external suppliers.
They will also be responsible for presenting findings in written and oral formats, generate of IP and technical reports. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate across all levels of the organization will be essential for this role to influence others and drive success in projects.
Essential Functions
In this role, the new team member will:
- Design, supervise and execute fire, durability, and weathering tests to solve problems in different materials and applications.
- Manage fire and aging testing lab (people, tools, calibration and maintenance schedules, resources, workflow, investments)
- Collaborate with internal customers to develop and implement testing strategies that meet their specific needs.
- Analyze test data using advanced tools to identify trends, model product behavior, and solve complex technical challenges.
- Report and document results of work in manner consistent with company standards
- Continuously stay up to date on relevant technologies and knowledge in current area of responsibility
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS?
Education:
BS Degree with 7+ years of experience, MS with 3+ years, or entry-level PhD in Engineering (Material Science, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering), or related disciplines.
Experience:
- Minimum 2 years of experience in materials characterization and fire testing
- General knowledge of polymers, ceramics, abrasives
- Testing and analyzing results, writing technical reports, and proposing improvements in materials.
- Developing new test methodologies for analysis of custom products and applications.
- Experience with accelerated aging and weathering equipment (preferred)
Skills:
- Proficiency in data analysis, statistics, modeling, and visualization tools (e.g., Matlab, Python, R, Minitab).
- Ability to code using common programming languages.
- Familiarity with thermodynamic and fire modeling tools (e.g., Ansys, Comsol, Firefoam, CFAST).
Other:
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Join our innovative team at Saint-Gobain Research North America and contribute to best-in-class research in fire durability and performance. If you are passionate about materials science and eager to make an impact, we encourage you to apply.
A TEAM READY TO WELCOME YOU
Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and solutions which are key ingredients in the wellbeing of each of us and the future of all. They can be found everywhere in our living places and our daily life: in buildings, transportation, infrastructure and in many industrial applications. They provide comfort, performance and safety while addressing the challenges of sustainable construction, resource efficiency and climate change.
At Saint-Gobain we design, manufacture and distribute materials which are key ingredients in the wellbeing of each of us and the future of all. Join our innovative, passionate and entrepreneurial community to improve the world of tomorrow with us.
Legal Statement
Saint-Gobain provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Saint-Gobain is an equal opportunity employer of individuals with disabilities and supports the hiring of veterans.
Southborough, MA
Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, light construction and the decarbonization of construction and industry are developed through a continuous innovation process and provide sustainability and performance. The Group’s commitment is guided by its purpose, “MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME”.
- €47.9 billion in sales in 2023
- 160,000 employees, locations in 79 countries
- Committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050
Locations:
With over 145 manufacturing locations in the United States and Canada, every current and future member of the company’s team plays a vital role in achieving our success.
Job Opportunities for Military and Veterans
The manufacturing industry can provide a robust career for military veterans seeking to enter the workforce. With over 900 veterans, reservists, or National Guard soldiers, Saint-Gobain is dedicated to the mentorship, camaraderie, and service of veterans and military professionals who have given so much to their country.
Veterans develop core skills that are essential to manufacturing: teamwork, critical thinking, pattern recognition, and leadership under pressure. We value the skillset that military veterans bring and aim to support those transitioning from active duty to a robust career in the manufacturing industry.
How We Support Veterans and the Military Community
Through our partnership with The Manufacturing Institute's Heroes MAKE America program, our employee resource group focused on veterans, national partnership with Homes For Our Troops and more, Saint-Gobain North America supports military families in a variety of ways.
Veterans Employee Resource Group
The Veteran’s ERG supports existing Saint-Gobain employees who have served as members of the Armed Forces through recognition, resources identification networking and community outreach activities.
- Homes For Our Troops
The exclusive building materials partner of Homes For Our Troops, we donate roofing, insulation, gypsum, and siding for specially-adapted homes across the U.S. for severely injured post-9/11 veterans.
- Veterans Village
The Saint-Gobain North America Foundation and building materials subsidiary CertainTeed contributed over $175,000 in siding and insulation products and monetary donations to Volumetric Building Companies (VBC) Giving Foundation’s Veterans Village Project, a 47-unit new construction permanent housing community for Veterans. In addition to monetary and product donations, a team of Saint-Gobain employees also provided support, solutions, and expertise to this important project.
A Total Approach to Well-Being
At Saint-Gobain, we are committed to helping our employees and their families LiveWell. Through innovative programs and meaningful resources, we care for and support all aspects of our employees’ well-being – physical, emotional, financial, and social - wherever they are in their journey. Learn how Saint-Gobain supports and invests in our employees through our total rewards package.
Physical Well-Being
We prioritize providing comprehensive healthcare benefits to our employees from day one, ensuring their well-being is taken care of. We believe in empowering our employees with choices tailored to their individual needs. We strive to develop programs to help our employees understand and take care of their health and physical well-being including managing chronic conditions and practicing prevention. Our goal is to enhance their quality of life both at work and beyond.
Here’s a glimpse at some of the programs we offer:
- Our health care benefit plans extend eligibility to spouses, domestic partners, and children up to age 26.
- All medical plans include coverage for fertility treatment and gender reassignment.
- Under our dental plus plan, orthodontia is covered for children and adults.
- We provide a comprehensive vision plan that is fully paid for by Saint-Gobain.
- Opportunities are available for incentives and discounts on medical plan premiums to encourage preventive care and reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Emotional Well-Being
Ensuring our employees have access to confidential resources available 24/7 through various channels is a priority at Saint-Gobain. We are committed to providing resources to help our employees overcome life’s challenges. Recognizing the critical role of mental health care and support in leading a balanced and fulfilled life, both within and beyond the workplace, is central to our values.
Here’s a glimpse at some of the programs we offer:
- Outpatient mental health services are provided under all medical plans at $0 coinsurance.
- Concierge support through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), assisting employees with securing mental health appointments.
- Virtual mental health program offering flexibility and reducing stress through convenient scheduling.
- Paid time off, including vacation, sick time, company holidays, and time to volunteer for organizations that matter to our employees.
Financial Well-Being
Our holistic approach to employee well-being includes providing the financial resources and management skills necessary to meet both current needs and future aspirations. Through our comprehensive financial program, we aim to alleviate financial stress and instill confidence in our employees' financial futures.
Central to our financial program are competitive salaries, retirement packages, and employer-sponsored plans, such as 401(k) and pension plans, designed to optimize short-term stability and long-term growth. We go further by offering additional incentives, including matching contributions and profit-sharing opportunities, to further empower our employees to achieve their financial goals.
Here’s a glimpse at some of the programs we offer:
- Our employees can participate in an employee share purchase program with discounted pricing and matching contributions.
- Saint-Gobain offers multiple retirement plans with extensive coverage including a cash balance pension plan that is entirely Company-funded.
- We provide an employee recognition program that celebrates achievements and fosters a positive work environment.
- Wellness check-ups are available to employees to make it easier to manage their finances and plan for the future.
Social Well-Being
At Saint-Gobain, fostering a sense of belonging and connectedness is paramount. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, nurturing connections within the community and among loved ones. We understand that each individual brings unique passions and aspirations, and we champion the importance of authenticity in realizing personal fulfillment.
We are committed to supporting our employees in various aspects of their lives, offering family planning benefits, generous parental leave, assistance for elder and pet care, as well as opportunities to engage in community outreach and charitable activities.
Here’s a glimpse at some of the programs we offer:
- Generous paid leave for new parents, ranging from 12 to 14 weeks.
- Back-up care program which offers child, adult, eldercare, and pet care when regular care is unavailable.
- Under the Saint-Gobain medical plan, all expectant mothers are eligible to participate in the Enhanced Maternity Program.
- Saint-Gobain North America Foundation supports sustainable habitat developments, STEM education, and quality of life improvements in local communities through grants.