Director, Materials Science

Role details

ARCCA, LLC, an ATS Family of Companies, is a growing national forensic, scientific, and engineering firm with six offices nationwide located in Penns Park, PA (suburban Philadelphia); Pittsburgh, PA; Chicago, IL; Hollywood, FL; Oakland, CA; and Seattle, WA. Since 1987, ARCCA has assisted thousands of clients in addressing technical and scientific challenges while supporting litigation needs. The company’s experienced and credentialed professionals provide services in Forensic Engineering, Expert Witness Testimony, Sports Biomechanics and Human Performance, and Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation.

The quality of this work has established ARCCA as a trusted partner for insurance companies, law firms, government agencies, and corporate safety, claims, and risk management departments.

Applied Technical Services, LLC (ATS) is a leading provider of critical testing, inspection, certification, and compliance services. ATS serves clients across a diverse set of large and stable end markets including manufacturing, power generation, aerospace, medical, and defense. ATS was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in Marietta, GA. Today the company employs nearly 2,100 team members in over 95 locations across the United States.

Together, ARCCA and ATS advance a shared mission to create a safe and reliable world through precise technical and professional services.

Job Title: Director, Materials Science

Location: Penns Park, PA

Position Summary

The Director, Materials Science is a senior leadership position responsible for building, leading, and growing the firm's materials science, metallurgical forensic engineering, and failure analysis consulting practice. This role combines deep technical expertise in forensic investigations with business leadership, strategic planning, talent development, and client relationship management.

The Director serves as a recognized industry expert and trusted advisor to clients, attorneys, insurers, manufacturers, and corporate stakeholders while overseeing a team of scientists, engineers, consultants, and laboratory personnel. The position is accountable for ensuring technical excellence, profitable growth, market expansion, and the development of future leaders within the organization.

This leader will establish the strategic direction of the practice, identify emerging service opportunities, develop client relationships, and drive revenue growth through exceptional service delivery and thought leadership.

As the practice expands, this role may evolve into a broader operational leadership position with responsibility for multiple scientific, engineering, or forensic consulting disciplines across the organization.

Position Summary

Strategic Leadership Responsibilities

Practice Growth & Market Development

• Develop and execute a multi-year strategic growth plan for the Materials Science & Failure Analysis practice.
• Identify emerging market opportunities, service offerings, and industry trends.
• Expand the firm's capabilities across:

• Materials Science
• Metallurgy
• Product Failure Investigations
• Corrosion Engineering
• Polymer Analysis
• Manufacturing Defect Investigations
• Product Liability Consulting
• Digital and Advanced Materials Analysis
• Establish the practice as a recognized leader within the forensic engineering industry.
• Drive geographic expansion and market penetration initiatives.
• Evaluate acquisition, partnership, and strategic alliance opportunities.

Business Leadership

• Own practice revenue, profitability, utilization, and growth objectives.
• Develop annual operating plans and budgets.
• Monitor financial performance and implement corrective actions when required.
• Ensure achievement of business targets while maintaining technical quality standards.
• Develop pricing strategies and service delivery models that maximize profitability and client value.
• Lead forecasting and pipeline management activities.

Technical Leadership

Advanced Forensic Investigations

• Serve as lead investigator and technical authority on complex, high-profile assignments.
• Direct root cause investigations involving:

• Material failures
• Product liability matters
• Catastrophic equipment failures
• Manufacturing and quality issues
• Property and casualty losses
• Construction and infrastructure failures
• Review and approve technical opinions, methodologies, and conclusions generated by the practice.
• Ensure investigations are objective, scientifically rigorous, and legally defensible.

Expert Witness Engagement

• Serve as an expert witness on complex litigation matters.
• Prepare expert opinions, technical reports, and evidentiary exhibits.
• Participate in:

• Depositions
• Mediation proceedings
• Arbitration hearings
• Trial testimony
• Mentor staff in litigation support and expert witness best practices.

People Leadership

Team Development & Succession Planning

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of scientists, engineers, project managers, and consultants.
• Recruit and retain top industry talent.
• Establish career development pathways and succession plans.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-accountability culture.
• Conduct performance reviews and leadership coaching.
• Identify and develop future technical and business leaders.

Organizational Leadership

• Participate as a key member of the company's leadership team.
• Contribute to enterprise-wide strategy and decision-making.
• Collaborate with leaders across engineering, operations, sales, and corporate support functions.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration and service integration.

Client Relationship Management

Executive Client Engagement

• Develop and maintain relationships with:

• Insurance carriers
• Law firms
• Manufacturers
• Government agencies
• Risk management organizations
• Corporate legal departments
• Serve as executive sponsor for strategic accounts.
• Lead client presentations and technical briefings.
• Resolve complex client issues and ensure exceptional service delivery.

Business Development

Revenue Generation

• Create and execute business development strategies aligned with corporate growth objectives.
• Generate new business opportunities through industry relationships and professional networks.
• Lead proposal development and major account pursuit strategies.
• Represent the organization at industry conferences and events.
• Deliver technical presentations, webinars, and thought leadership content.

Brand & Industry Leadership

• Publish technical papers and articles.
• Participate in professional societies and industry committees.
• Establish visibility as a recognized authority in forensic materials science and failure analysis.
• Promote the firm's expertise through speaking engagements and industry outreach.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in:

• Materials Science
• Metallurgical Engineering
• Materials Engineering
• Polymer Science
• Related Scientific Discipline

• 15+ years of progressive experience in materials science, failure analysis, forensic engineering, or related consulting disciplines.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing technical professionals.
• Experience leading complex investigations and major client engagements.
• Proven success in business development and practice growth.

Preferred:

• Experience leading a consulting business unit or practice area.
• Expert witness testimony experience.
• Experience managing multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience with mergers, acquisitions, or business integration.

Certifications

Preferred:

• Professional Engineer (PE)
• ASM certifications
• AMPP / NACE certifications
• Expert Witness certification
• Relevant advanced technical certifications

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Applied Technical Services is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer encouraging diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability unrelated to ability, marital status, family responsibilities, pregnancy, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, transgender, sex stereotyping, order of protection status, protected veteran or military status, or an unfavorable discharge from military service, and other categories protected by federal, state or local law.

U.S. Persons Only

A requirement of this position is access to information that is subject to U.S. export controls under the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations ("ITAR"). Accordingly, the company will consider only "U.S. Persons" for this position. A "U.S. Person" includes (a) U.S. citizens or nationals; (b) U.S. lawful permanent residents (i.e., "green card" holders); (c) persons granted refugee status; or (d) persons granted asylum in the United States. This information is collected solely for purposes of complying with U.S. export control requirements and will not be used to unlawfully discriminate in the hiring process.

Find out more at www.arcca.com

*Please note, we do not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party agencies. Resumes submitted without an active agreement and prior coordination with our Talent team will not be eligible for placement fees.*