Application Engineer - Security & Defense

At Morgan Advanced Materials, our rich history and dedication to innovation define who we are. Since our establishment in the UK in 1856, we have expanded globally, now operating across 70 sites in 18 countries. Our goal is to create a more sustainable world and enhance quality of life. We actively pursue this purpose through the development and production of advanced materials. 

Within our business unit, we specialise in innovating cutting-edge carbon, graphite, and carbide products that deliver outstanding performance. We use our expertise to tackle complex challenges across many diverse industries to provide effective solutions for our valued customers. 

Our products are shaping a better future; from enabling electric cars to charge faster and drive longer distances to maximising the operational efficiency of wind turbines. We are proud to help generate power for billions of people, deliver water to drought-stricken regions, improve the efficiency of industrial pumps, and protect lives both on the land and in the air. 

Key Figures: Revenue £1,100.7m (2024), ~8,000 employees, manufacturing in 20+ countries, and a global customer portfolio. A UK PLC with head office located in Windsor, Berkshire UK.  Listed on London Stock Exchange; Member of the FTSE 250 Index.

Location: Coudersport, PABusiness: Morgan Advanced Materials – Armor BusinessReporting to: Sales Manager Defense

About the Opportunity

As our Security & Defense business continues to grow, we are creating a new Applications Engineer role to strengthen the connection between our customers, manufacturing operations, and technical teams.

Morgan's Armor business is a recognized supplier of advanced ceramic armor solutions used in personal protection systems, vehicle protection, and other defense applications. The business leverages Morgan's expertise in advanced ceramic materials, including alumina and silicon carbide technologies, to provide lightweight, high-performance protection solutions for demanding environments. Morgan serves customers supporting military, law enforcement, and security applications worldwide.

This role will focus primarily on supporting our Security & Defense product portfolio in Coudersport, including personal protection applications and vehicle armor programs involving ceramic tile kits and related products. The Applications Engineer will act as the technical liaison between customers and Morgan's internal teams, ensuring customer requirements are translated into manufacturable, high-quality solutions.

This is an excellent development opportunity for an internal candidate seeking broader exposure across commercial, technical, operational, and customer-facing activities.

What You'll Do

Customer & Technical Interface

• Serve as the primary technical point of contact for assigned Security & Defense customers.
• Develop a deep understanding of our ceramic materials, manufacturing capabilities, product portfolio, and competitive advantages.
• Work directly with customers to understand application requirements, specifications, performance expectations, and technical challenges.
• Interpret customer drawings, blueprints, technical specifications, and data packages.
• Communicate customer requirements clearly to Manufacturing, Technology, Process Engineering, Quality, and Procurement teams.
• Support prototype, qualification, testing, and production programs from concept through implementation.
• Help customers understand how Morgan materials can best support their application requirements while ensuring solutions remain within our manufacturing capabilities.
• Build strong customer relationships through technical expertise, responsiveness, and professionalism.

Operations & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Manufacturing, Process Engineering, Quality, Technology, and Procurement teams to deliver customer programs successfully.
• Understand production constraints, capacity limitations, yield drivers, and quality requirements.
• Collaborate with operations teams to identify improvements that maximize yield, throughput, efficiency, and product quality.
• Support the resolution of technical and manufacturing challenges affecting customer deliveries or product performance.
• Assist in driving continuous improvement initiatives across multiple product lines.

Project Management & Technical Analysis

• Lead and coordinate cross-functional projects supporting new and existing customer programs.
• Develop project plans, timelines, milestones, and action plans.
• Analyze manufacturing, quality, and customer data to support decision-making and problem-solving.
• Balance multiple priorities within a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Monitor risks and proactively drive actions to meet customer commitments.

Commercial & Market Development

• Partner with Commercial teams on technical sales activities and customer growth opportunities.
• Develop a strong understanding of cost drivers, including raw materials, processing costs, prototyping expenses, and manufacturing considerations.
• Support technical quotations and customer proposals.
• Identify opportunities to increase Morgan's share of wallet within existing customer accounts.
• Participate in trade shows, industry events, customer visits, and market development activities.
• Stay informed on market trends, emerging technologies, customer programs, and future growth opportunities within the armor and protection markets.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Ceramics Engineering, Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Strong understanding of ceramic materials and manufacturing processes.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, tolerances, and technical specifications.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and changing priorities.
• Strong customer focus and commercial awareness.
• Ability to work effectively across functions and organizational levels.
• Willingness to travel periodically to support customers and industry events.
• Ability to work onsite in Coudersport.

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree specialization in Ceramics Engineering.
• Experience working in manufacturing, process engineering, quality engineering, applications engineering, or technical sales.
• Familiarity with customer qualification programs and prototype development.
• Knowledge of manufacturing cost structures and business planning.

Success Profile

The ideal candidate will be:

• A proactive self-starter who identifies opportunities rather than waiting for direction.
• Curious about customer applications and market developments.
• Comfortable working across a broad and diverse product portfolio.
• Equally effective in customer meetings, manufacturing environments, and technical discussions.
• Highly collaborative and capable of building strong internal and external relationships.
• Ambitious, adaptable, and motivated to help grow Morgan's position within the Security & Defense market.

Why Consider This Assignment?

This assignment provides a unique opportunity to gain exposure across customer engagement, advanced ceramics applications, manufacturing operations, project leadership, and business development within one of Morgan's specialized growth markets. Successful performance in the role will position the individual for future opportunities and, subject to business needs, may lead to the creation of a permanent position.

Morgan Advanced Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Ind-1