Ingersoll Rand is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.
Job Title: Materials Engineer (Metals & Polymers)
Location: Frederica, DE (onsite)
About Us
Imagine a company with technology leadership of over 160 years, yet it operates with the energy of a startup. Ingersoll Rand has dedicated itself to Making Life Better for its employees, customers, shareholders, and planets. We produce innovative and mission-critical flow creation and life science technologies – from compressors to precision handling of liquids, gasses, and powers – to increase industrial productivity, efficiency, and sustainability. Supported by over 80+ brands, our products are used in various end-markets including life sciences, food and beverage, clean energy, industrial manufacturing, infrastructure, and more. Across the globe, we’re driving growth with an entrepreneurial spirit and ownership mindset. Learn more at irco.com and join us to own your future.
Job Overview:
We’re looking for a Materials Engineer to ensure advanced materials meet the rigorous demands of human spaceflight. As part of ILC Dover, an Ingersoll Rand business, you’ll join the team behind the only proven and flown spacesuits for NASA—a legacy of innovation that has protected astronauts for generations. You’ll support NASA Materials and Processes (M&P) requirements for space flight hardware as part of a high-impact engineering organization driving mission-critical performance. The Materials Engineer supports the research, development, qualification, and sustainment of materials used in the assembly and component design of space systems products. Responsibilities include hands-on support of polymeric and solvent-based material systems, participation in M&P testing, verification, and documentation efforts, and direct involvement in investigations of material non-conformances and materials-related on-orbit issues. The role operates under moderate supervision with clearly defined guidelines and procedures, while still offering meaningful latitude for independent technical judgment and problem solving. This position delivers hands-on exposure to real-world materials behavior in a regulated, mission-critical environment, along with close collaboration across manufacturing, quality, and design teams—making it well suited for early-career engineers seeking technical depth, accountability, and long-term growth in materials and process engineering.
Responsibilities:
- Employ established science and engineering principles in the research, design and development of materials and processes for space flight hardware
- Maintain a detailed knowledge and understanding of softgood materials, their testing, and manufacturing processes, specifically for space flight applications
- Generate and maintain engineering and material control documents to ensure compliance with space flight hardware requirements including material drawings, Material Identification and Usage Lists, flight or material waivers (including Material Usage Agreements and Material Review Board waivers), and other program documentation related to material/product definition and control
- Identify, evaluate, and define material requirements and generate specifications
- Perform materials testing/analysis and generate testing/analysis documentation
- Effectively present materials engineering information to team members as well as cross-functional partners and external clients/ customers as necessary
Requirements:
- Must be able to access shared databases with U.S. Government programs (U.S. Citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident)
- Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Polymer Science, Textile Engineering, Metallurgy Engineering or a closely related field
- Relevant experience in materials engineering, manufacturing, laboratory, or process support role.
- Foundational understanding of polymers, elastomers, coatings, or solvent-based material systems with hands-on laboratory or production exposure
- Familiarity with technical documentation including material specifications, work instructions, test methods, or M&P requirements
- Proficiency with standard engineering tools, including word processing and spreadsheet software; introductory CAD and basic 3D modeling capability
- Ability to communicate clearly and professionally, verbally and in writing, with engineers, technicians, and cross-functional stakeholders
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across manufacturing, quality, and engineering functions
- Compliance with laboratory and production safety requirements, including use of required personal protective equipment (PPE)
Core Competencies:
- Aptitude to read and interpret parts lists and technical documentation (work instructions, drawings, specifications) to accurately identify components and support service and repair activities.
- Strong customer service orientation with the ability to manage high-volume, time-sensitive service requests while maintaining professionalism and urgency.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to coordinate effectively between customers, internal teams, and external service providers to drive resolution.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and tight deadlines while maintaining accurate tracking and follow-up.
- Systems proficiency with the ability to navigate and operate ERP and business systems (e.g., SAP, Salesforce, Outlook, and other platforms) to manage service workflows and documentation accurately.
Preferences:
- NASA or Aerospace exposure
- Co-op, internship, or senior design experience acceptable
- Materials experience in safety-critical industries
- Exposure to polymers, coatings, elastomers systems
- Familiarity with materials qualification and traceability
- Experience with failure analysis and root cause
- Understanding of compatibility and contamination control
- Experience with structured engineering processes
- Ability to document and communicate technical findings
- Demonstrated technical curiosity and engineering judgment
Travel and Work Arrangements
- Onsite Based in Frederica, DE
- Able to travel, less than 10% anticipated, to local worksites as needed
What We Offer
At Ingersoll Rand, we embrace a culture of personal ownership — taking responsibility for our company, our communities, and our environment, as well as our individual health and well-being. Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to empower you with the tools and support necessary to take charge of your health, ensuring that together, we can continue to make life better. Our range of benefits includes health care options like medical and prescription plans, dental and vision coverage, as well as wellness programs. Additionally, we provide life insurance, a robust 401(k) plan, paid time off, and even an employee stock grant, among other offerings. These benefits are our commitment to you, so you can be your best at work and beyond.
Ingersoll Rand Inc. (NYSE:IR), driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and ownership mindset, is dedicated to helping make life better for our employees, customers and communities. Customers lean on us for our technology-driven excellence in mission-critical flow creation and industrial solutions across 40+ respected brands where our products and services excel in the most complex and harsh conditions. Our employees develop customers for life through their daily commitment to expertise, productivity and efficiency. For more information, visit www.IRCO.com.
