R&D Senior Materials Expert

The opportunity

Join Hitachi Energy and play a key role in shaping the reliability, performance, and innovation of critical power infrastructure products. As a R&D Senior Materials Expert, you will serve as a subject matter expert in materials engineering, driving material selection, qualification, and lifecycle performance across On-Load Tap Changers (OLTCs), motor drives, and transformer accessories. Working closely with global engineering teams, suppliers, and laboratories, you will contribute to the development of advanced material solutions that enhance product quality, durability, sustainability, and cost competitiveness. You will help solve complex challenges related to wear, corrosion, insulation, and ageing while influencing technology roadmaps and future product innovations. This is a unique opportunity to combine deep materials science expertise with strategic impact and contribute to the next generation of power technologies.

How you'll make an impact

• Act as the internal subject matter expert for materials used in On-Load Tap Changers (OLTCs), motor drives, switching devices, and transformer accessories.

• Lead material selection and qualification activities for new product developments, product improvements, and cost optimization initiatives. Evaluate the suitability of metallic, non-metallic, composite, insulating, sealing, coating, and lubrication materials for OLTC applications.

• Assess material behavior under electrical, mechanical, thermal, environmental, and ageing stresses throughout the product lifecycle.
• Define material specifications, qualification requirements, validation plans, and acceptance criteria.
• Lead investigations related to material failures, root cause analyses, field issues, and reliability concerns.
• Collaborate with suppliers and external laboratories on testing, validation, and material development activities.
• Participate in FMEA, risk assessments, and technical reviews for new products and product modifications.
• Monitor emerging technologies and innovations in advanced materials, coatings, polymers, contact materials, lubricants, and insulation systems.
• Build and maintain internal competence in material science and ageing mechanisms relevant to tap changer applications.
• Contribute to intellectual property generation and technology roadmaps.

Your background

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Chemistry, Metallurgy, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Several years of experience in materials engineering, material selection, qualification, or reliability engineering within industrial, electromechanical, power systems, automotive, aerospace, or related industries.
• Strong knowledge of metallic, non-metallic, polymeric, composite, insulating, sealing, coating, and lubrication materials used in demanding industrial applications. Demonstrated experience evaluating material performance under mechanical, thermal, electrical, environmental, and ageing stresses.
• Deep understanding of wear, friction, corrosion, oxidation, contamination mechanisms, and material degradation processes. Experience developing material specifications, qualification procedures, validation plans, and acceptance criteria.
• Proven experience conducting material failure investigations, root cause analyses, and corrective action implementation. Strong knowledge of reliability engineering principles and lifecycle performance of materials and components.
• Experience working with laboratory testing methods, material characterization techniques, and validation programs. Ability to interpret technical requirements and identify optimal material solutions balancing performance, cost, manufacturability, and sustainability. Experience participating in risk assessments, FMEA activities, and technical design reviews.
• Fluent written and verbal English communication skills.
• Preferred Qualifications: Experience with On-Load Tap Changers (OLTCs), transformer accessories, switching devices, high-voltage equipment, or power transmission and distribution products. Knowledge of dielectric materials, insulation systems, electrical contact materials, and their interaction within electrical equipment. Experience with tribology, lubrication systems, contact ageing, and wear mechanisms in electromechanical applications. Familiarity with international material standards, qualification requirements, and industry regulations applicable to power equipment. Knowledge of advanced coatings, surface treatments, engineered polymers, composites, and emerging material technologies. Demonstrated contribution to innovation initiatives, patents, research programs, or intellectual property generation. Experience supporting technology roadmaps and long-term product development strategies.

What we offer

• 13th salary;
• Monthly food vouchers;
• Supplementary health insurance;
• Additional bonuses.

More about us

Join Hitachi Energy and work in a team that is dedicated to creating a future where innovative digital technologies allow greater access to cleaner energy!

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, so don't delay - apply today!

Apply now

Current employees apply here

Client-provided location(s): Sofia, Bulgaria

Job ID: Hitachi_Energy-JID3-217584

Employment Type: FULL_TIME

Posted: 2026-09-24T18:43:42