US Synthetic - R&D Engineer I

Job Description

This is a range 6 position and will close 10/13/2026

US Synthetic has an immediate need for a Research Engineer or Scientist located in Orem, UT. The Engineer or Scientist will work closely with customers, peers, process engineers, and production personnel to improve existing products and develop novel super-hard materials.

What's in it For You:

* The ability to make an impact and shape your career with a company that is passionate about growth
* The support of an organization that believes it is vital to include and engage diverse people, perspectives, and ideas to achieve our best
* Thrive in a company that values sustainability, drives a safety-focused culture, and empowers its employees through continuous improvement
* Comprehensive benefits package starting at day 1 of employment -- medical, dental, vision, matching 401k, and more!

What You Will Do:

* Work in team-based environment to develop and execute experiments.
* Generate new ideas and concepts aligned to meet customer needs.
* Conduct novel research associated with high temperature/high-pressure (HTHP) sintering of diamond and related materials.

* Use statistical methods to design experiments and analyze results.
* Develop theories for understanding, characterizing, and organizing experimental results into systematic and meaningful patterns.
* Evaluate material performance with laboratory testing (abrasion, impact, thermal stability, etc.), microstructural characterization (SEM, EDS, XRD, ICP, etc.), and non-destructive methods.
* Document experimental methods and results
* Capture and share useable knowledge in trade-off curves.

* Present new learning to R\&D group and customers
* Work with cross functional teams to transfer concepts to a production environment.
* Engage in continuous improvement of research and development systems.
* Attend conferences and visit customers to problem-solve shoulder to shoulder.

* Failure and root cause analysis of existing products.

Minimum Qualifications:

* Immigration sponsorship not available for this role

* Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM field from an accredited institution

Physical Demands:

* Sit for at least eight hours.
* Some standing and walking and reaching
* Reaching
* Full range of motion with hands and fingers necessary

* Use of Safety Equipment (safety glasses, steel toed shoes, latex/nitrile gloves and respirator)

Preferred Qualifications:

* 2 years experience since obtaining undergraduate degree

* An advanced degree (MS, PhD)

* Ability to work with others in a cross functional team.

* Knowledge of problem-solving methodologies (scientific method, PDCA)
* Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles
* Knowledge of statistical methods
* Experience with DOE (Design of Experiments)
* Proficient with statistical software (JMP)

* Proficient in Microsoft Office suite

* Knowledge of hard materials (diamond, WC-Co, ceramics, etc)

* Knowledge of high-pressure experimental methods
* Knowledge of high-pressure diamond synthesis and/or sintering
* Knowledge of cemented tungsten carbide applications in HTHP tooling and polycrystalline diamond products
* Knowledge of powder metallurgy processes

* Experience testing and evaluating material properties and microstructure (SEM, EDS, XRD, ICP, etc.)
* Ability to create and give effective presentations to both small and large groups of people

* Experience with numerical methods (FEA, PFC)
* Creative
* Innovative
* Self-motivated
* All employees will support the organization's mission and vision by exhibiting the following behaviors:

* Trust: Demonstrate belief in others
* Fun: Enjoy life
* Respect: Genuinely value everyone
* Openness: Provide access to people and information
* Growth: Improve continuously
* Service: Give of yourself
* Follow all company policies (Attendance, No Tobacco Products on Campus,
* Illegal Drug \& Alcohol, Family Medical Leave Act, Personal Appearance,
* Personal Electronic Devices, Vacation \& Personal Time, etc.)