Ceramic Engineer

Fireclay Tile • Aromas, CA

31d • $110,000 - $130,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Serving as a Fireclay Tile Brand Ambassador, representing our core values including:
Kindness ○ Honesty ○ Tread Lightly on the Earth ○ Measure Twice, Cut Once ○ Ganas (Desire)
Accountable to the B Corp standards, we take care of our People and our Planet while turning a Profit.
The Team You’ll Work With …
As the Ceramic Engineer, you will be an integral part of our talented Innovation team, collaborating to drive strategic initiatives to enhance product durability, expand application suitability, and introduce innovative solutions that position Fireclay Tile as a leader in the wider market. You will be responsible for defining and elevating the performance standards of Fireclay Tile's Original Ceramic product line, playing a key role in continuous benchmarking against market, proactive material research for supply chain resilience and cost optimization, and the development of new clay bodies and glazes to meet evolving market demands and design trends. This role offers the opportunity to set the quality benchmarks against which all Fireclay products will be measured. Reporting to the Director of Manufacturing, this position is located in Aromas, Ca, our Factory Headquarters. Our culture thrives on professional development, ongoing training, and opportunities for growth within the organization. This is a salary position and pays $110k-$130k (Depending on Experience).
Meet the Hiring Manager, Nirmal Ravichandran!

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Ceramic Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related field.
• 5+ years of experience in R&D or product development within the ceramic tile or advanced ceramics industry, with a proven track record of successful product innovation.
• In-depth theoretical and practical knowledge of ceramic raw materials, glaze chemistry, body formulation, and advanced firing techniques.
• Expertise in the operation and development of firing curves for both roller hearth and periodic kilns, with a focus on achieving specific material properties and aesthetic outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex ceramic defects (e.g., crazing, warping, firing cracks) and develop robust solutions.
• Familiarity with relevant ASTM, ANSI, and ISO standards for ceramic tile performance (e.g., freeze-thaw, DCOF, abrasion, chemical resistance).
• Strong project management skills with the ability to lead multiple strategic initiatives simultaneously.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• A passion for sustainability and alignment with Fireclay Tile's commitment to handcrafted quality and environmental stewardship.

Responsibilities

• Product Standard Enhancement: Lead research and development efforts to improve existing product characteristics to meet or exceed advanced industry standards for extruded red clay body tile, specifically focusing on:
• Freeze-Thaw Resistance: Develop formulations and firing protocols to achieve full frost-proof classification (e.g., ASTM C1026 equivalent to our Brick product) for broader outdoor applicability.
• Crazing Elimination/Control: Innovate glaze and body compositions to significantly reduce or eliminate undesirable crazing across a wider range of finishes, while preserving aesthetic appeal.
• Dimensional Stability: Improve planarity and reduce size variation (beyond the current 1/16" to 1/8" variance) to meet stringent industry standards for rectified or highly consistent tile, enhancing ease of installation and aesthetic precision.
• Raw Material Sourcing & Cost Optimization: Proactively identify and evaluate alternative raw materials to mitigate supply chain risks, improve material purity, and achieve cost efficiencies without compromising product integrity or sustainability commitments (e.g., utilizing recycled content, regional sourcing).
• New Product & Glaze Development: Formulate novel clay bodies and glazes to expand Fireclay Tile's product offerings, enabling entry into new market segments and applications (e.g., enhanced acid resistance for countertops/pools, improved abrasion resistance).
• Market Benchmarking & Trend Analysis: Continuously research and benchmark Fireclay's products against emerging market trends to identify opportunities for innovation and competitive differentiation. Analyze consumer feedback and common product shortcomings (e.g., grout staining issues) to inform R&D priorities.
• Laboratory Leadership: Oversee and direct activities within the Glaze and Material Science Laboratories, guiding experimental product design, analytical testing, and material characterization to support strategic R&D projects.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Production, Marketing, and Sales teams to translate market requirements and aesthetic visions into technical specifications and viable product solutions.
• Intellectual Property: Contribute to the protection of new formulations and processes through appropriate documentation and intellectual property considerations.
• Team Leadership & Management: Build and manage a team, including direct oversight of the Ceramic Process Quality Engineer.

Benefits

• We offer a comprehensive compensation package, including medical, financial, and other benefits including a 4% 401(k) match, FTO (exempt), benefits, sick time, and parental leave, and other perks.
• Visit Fireclaybenefits.com to view details of our benefits and perks offered.
• The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, stock options, and discretionary bonus.
• Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if a teammate receives an offer of employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level