Job Description

ARi, headquartered in East Peoria, IL, USA, is a rapidly expanding global engineering enterprise. The essence of our “i” symbolizes our distinctiveness from competitors – an embodiment of innovation, intelligence, ingenuity, and insight. Boasting a diverse team of over 1,500 engineering experts hailing from various nations and cultures across the globe, we are excellently poised to provide intricate and personalized resolutions to our esteemed clients.

We are seeking a hands-on Materials Engineer to join our R&D organization supporting material development and evaluation for electrical, electronic, and battery applications. The ideal candidate will have experience working with copper, aluminum, battery materials, and PCB materials, along with a solid understanding of mechanical and thermal material properties. The role requires performing standard material testing, evaluating new materials, and working closely with chemical and metallurgical lab equipment to support product innovation and performance improvement.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Conduct R&D evaluations of new and existing materials, including copper, aluminum, battery materials, and PCB materials.

• Perform standard mechanical, thermal, and electrical tests to characterize material properties.

• Operate and maintain chemical testing and metallurgical lab equipment for material analysis and validation.

• Support materials selection and qualification for product development programs in electronics, automotive, or aerospace applications.

• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to recommend material substitutions or improvements for performance, cost, and manufacturability.

• Analyze test data and failure modes to identify root causes and suggest design/material enhancements.

• Prepare technical reports, documentation, and presentations summarizing test results and findings.

• Ensure all testing and evaluations comply with industry standards and internal quality processes.

• Participate in sourcing or supplier discussions regarding new material qualification and compliance

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering.

• 2–3 years of experience in materials engineering within automotive, electronics, or aerospace industries.

 Required Skills:

• Strong knowledge of non-ferrous materials such as copper, aluminum, battery materials, and PCB materials.

• Hands-on experience with lab testing and analysis equipment (chemical analysis tools, thermal analyzers, metallurgical instruments).

• Understanding of mechanical and thermal material characterization and standard ASTM or ISO test methods.

• Ability to interpret and analyze material data, stress-strain curves, and thermal/electrical properties.

• Experience working in an R&D or lab environment with a focus on experimental validation and new material development.

• Proficient in documentation, report writing, and communicating technical results across teams.

• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and organizational skills.

The Benefits of Working at ARi

At ARi, our commitment to our employees goes beyond the workplace, ensuring comprehensive benefits. From day one, full-time employees enjoy group health, dental, and life insurance coverage. Additionally, vision coverage is accessible starting the following month.

Recognizing the significance of rejuvenation, we provide paid time off, sick days, company holidays, and maternity/paternity leave to our full-time staff. In times of loss, we also offer bereavement support. Furthermore, a

401(k) program is maintained for eligible employees.