Associate Engineer, Metal Innovation

About This Role

This Associate Engineer position contributes to the Metal Innovation Engineering team by providing technical support and project management for global innovation in aluminum beverage packaging. The role involves driving learning in high-speed metal forming, collaborating on innovative packaging solutions, and assisting in the creation of intellectual property.

Responsibilities

• Drive learning and expertise in methods of high speed metal forming, utilizing mechanical knowledge of both equipment and processes
• Participate and contribute in collaborative brainstorming sessions to generate innovative concepts for improving and creating aluminum packaging solutions
• Collaborate with the design team to produce engineering tool drawings by applying knowledge of GD&T, metrology, tool manufacturing, and machine design principles
• Independently collaborate with suppliers to develop tooling and equipment for forming aluminum containers, including specifying designs, issuing orders, and verifying part accuracy
• Clearly communicate updates or status of projects with internal and external customers
• Assist in creation and documentation of innovations into finalized Intellectual Property (IP), including patents and trade secrets
• Generate clear and concise technical reports for communication across regions as well as SOP's for internal and external use
• Utilize structured problem‑solving and statistical methods (DOE, FMEA, cost analysis, and sample‑size validation) to evaluate designs and processes
• Assist in the creation of business cases, ROI calculations, and generation of business recommendations
• Apply foundational project management skills to identify issues and develop recovery plans to ensure projects progress on time and within budget through the Innovation Stage Gate process

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering or a related technical field (mathematics, metallurgy or physics)
• 6 months to 2 years of work related experience in high-speed can manufacturing or metal forming
• Experience using hand held metrology equipment
• Strong ability to multitask, troubleshoot, and think in a nonlinear, solutions‑focused manner
• Effective working independently or with geographically dispersed engineering and business teams
• Clear communication skills with the ability to articulate and promote project management and Stage Gate best practices
• Skilled at removing roadblocks by enabling others through communication, troubleshooting, and hands‑on support
• Capable of leading small projects and using project/program management tools such as MS Project
• Solid understanding of statistical principles
• Knowledge of tooling drawings, dimensioning, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), and basic machining operations
• Familiarity with machine design and operation

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering or a related technical field, such as mathematics, metallurgy or physics
• 6 months to 2 years of work related experience in high-speed can manufacturing or metal forming.

Nice to Have

• Hands‑on metal forming equipment experience
• Work experience (internship, contract work, etc.) at Ball Corporation

Skills

* Required skills

Benefits