Materials Scientist – Advanced Ceramics & Tribology
Drive Innovation in Piezoelectric Precision Motion Systems
Are you ready to pioneer the next generation of high-tech motion systems? We are looking for a Materials Engineer to master the intersection of Advanced Ceramics and Tribology. You will lead the development of PZT and Electroceramics, optimizing wear resistance and friction for world-class mechatronic applications in a fast-paced R&D environment.
In this role, you serve as the technical authority on Functional Materials, translating complex material science into high-performance hardware. This is a position for a scientist who loves to see their research move in the real world, literally.
Engineering the Future of Materials
As a Material Scientist at Xeryon, you are responsible for the analysis, specification, and development of advanced ceramic materials used in our piezoelectric motors and precision motion systems.
Your mission is to establish a deep understanding of existing material supplies, translate them into robust and reproducible material specifications, and drive the development of improved ceramic materials for both tribological (wear & friction) and piezoelectric performance.
You take ownership of defining the material-property relationships that enable reliable motion performance and consistent piezoelectric behavior, while exploring new materials and coatings to push system performance forward, in collaboration with engineering teams to validate the performance in motion systems.
Your primary responsibilities include:
* Material Analysis & Specification: Analyze existing supplier formulations (SEM, XRD) and translate them into clear, measurable internal standards. Establish clear links between composition, processing, microstructure, and performance.
* Leading the Material Specification and selection process for optimization of Motion Ceramics and advanced coatings (DLC). Define requirements for high wear resistance and stable friction behavior under real operating conditions.
* Optimizing Friction and Wear Resistance through rigorous Tribology testing and contact mechanics.
* Piezoelectric Performance: Investigate how composition and microstructure influence repeatable Piezoelectric behavior and PZT consistency, ensuring a consistent material quality from suppliers and supporting optimization for performance and manufacturability.
* Research & Material Innovation: Explore new dopants, surface treatments, and coatings (DLC) to push the boundaries of system performance.
* Designing and executing DOE (Design of Experiments) while staying up to date with advancements in piezoelectric and tribological materials, building a structured knowledge base and documenting specifications and results.
Working at Xeryon
Located near Leuven, Xeryon is a dynamic, high-tech hub where innovation meets manufacturing excellence. Xeryon designs and manufactures cutting-edge motion systems for global clients within the laser, microscopy and semiconductor industry. We are a multidisciplinary team where innovation moves fast. It is a high-impact environment where your expertise directly dictates the quality of our high-precision products. By joining our growing team, you will experience a workplace where initiative is highly valued and individual contributions are clearly visible.
Your Profile
We are looking for a specialist who combines a strong analytical mindset with a hands-on approach to solve complex material puzzles. You must be detail-oriented and structured, ensuring every specification is documented for long-term consistency.
To excel in this role, you meet the following requirements:
* Master’s degree or PhD in Materials Science, Ceramic Engineering, or a related field.
* Deep technical background in Advanced Ceramics, specifically PZT or Functional Materials.
* Proven experience with Tribology (wear & friction) and Material Characterization (SEM, XRD).
* Expertise in DOE (Design of Experiments) and statistical analysis to validate performance.
* Strong fluency in English for technical supplier alignment and documentation, and a desire to work in a Belgian high-tech hub.
What We Offer
We provide a high-growth environment where your expertise in Functional Materials is recognized as a core pillar of our product’s success. Joining Xeryon means joining a collaborative, multidisciplinary team and contributing to cutting-edge Piezo technology that is changing the semiconductor and optics industries.
We offer a competitive salary package with benefits that rewards your niche expertise in Ceramic Processing and Tribological Ceramics .
Ready to shape the future of Precision Motion?
We’d love to hear from you! Reach out to us or apply directly through our portal to start the conversation. Apply now by sending your CV to our recruitment team at Xeryon, Leuven.