Principal Materials Scientist

At Element Six we are seeking a Principal Materials Scientist to join our South African operations. In this role you will act as the senior technical authority responsible for developing, optimising and sustaining world-class manufacturing processes across HPHT manufacturing processes and supporting operations.

You will drive process excellence through optimisation, standardisation, industrialisation and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance safety, quality, yield, productivity and cost performance. Working across functions and sites, you will champion technology transfer, operational best practice and data-driven decision-making while embedding Lean and World Class Manufacturing principles.

 

• Own and optimise the full process lifecycle across HPHT manufacturing processes and supporting operations
• Drive improvements in yield, throughput, process stability, process capability and cost efficiency
• Define, implement and govern process standards, SOPs, engineering controls, operating limits and control plans
• Lead structured problem-solving for complex technical issues using methodologies such as DMAIC, RCA, 8D, FMEA and SPC
• Champion World Class Manufacturing, Lean and Six Sigma practices through cross-functional improvement initiatives and workshops
• Act as a site-wide subject matter expert, coaching engineers, scientists and operations teams on best practice and process optimisation
• Lead process industrialisation, commissioning, scale-up and process transfer activities aligned to global standards
• Collaborate with Production, Quality, Safety, Supply Chain and Engineering Services to support stable, optimised volume manufacturing
• Leverage data analytics, digital manufacturing tools, automation and process control strategies to improve process insight and control
• Lead process safety improvement initiatives, support risk assessments and promote strong engineering discipline and compliance

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Materials Science, Mechanical or Metallurgical Engineering

Additional Information

Experience and Skills

• At least 5 years' experience in advanced manufacturing or materials processing environments, with strong expertise in process optimisation, scale-up, statistical process control and industrialisation
• Expert knowledge of process engineering, statistical tools, manufacturing science and materials behaviour
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability with a systematic, data-driven approach to decision-making
• Experience with digital manufacturing, automation, data analytics, process control systems and monitoring strategies
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and leadership teams
• Ability to develop business cases and quantify financial benefits linked to process improvements, technology deployment and capital investment
• Leadership capability to coach technical teams, develop capability and manage complex engineering programmes
• Collaborative, transparent and able to build technical trust, with a strong continuous improvement mindset, ownership and accountability