Senior Refractory Material Qualification Specialist

Job Title: Senior Refractory Material Qualification Specialist

Location: United Arab Emirates (Remote)

Employment Type: Full-Time

Work Arrangement: 100% Remote — Work From Home

Level: Senior

About the Role

The Senior Refractory Material Qualification Specialist is responsible for providing technical oversight and analytical support for the qualification, evaluation, and performance assessment of refractory materials used in high-temperature industrial applications. The role focuses on reviewing material specifications, assessing laboratory test results, evaluating supplier documentation, analysing material performance data, and supporting technical approval processes.

Working remotely with materials engineers, procurement teams, quality assurance professionals, suppliers, and industrial operations personnel, the specialist helps ensure that refractory products meet defined technical, quality, and operational requirements. The position is focused on technical documentation, data analysis, specification review, and virtual coordination. Physical material sampling, laboratory testing, site inspections, installation supervision, and equipment assessments must be performed by qualified local personnel.

Key Responsibilities

• Review technical specifications and qualification requirements for refractory materials used in furnaces, kilns, boilers, incinerators, and other high-temperature industrial equipment.
• Evaluate refractory material types, including fireclay, high-alumina, silica, magnesia, alumina-silica, insulating, and monolithic products.
• Assess supplier technical data sheets, product specifications, certificates of analysis, and material compliance documentation.
• Review laboratory test results relating to chemical composition, bulk density, apparent porosity, cold crushing strength, modulus of rupture, and thermal properties.
• Analyse documented thermal conductivity, thermal expansion, refractoriness, abrasion resistance, and other relevant performance characteristics.
• Evaluate material suitability against operating temperature ranges, thermal cycling conditions, chemical exposure, and anticipated mechanical stresses.
• Review test evidence relating to thermal shock resistance, slag resistance, corrosion behaviour, and dimensional stability.
• Compare proposed refractory materials against approved specifications, project requirements, and established qualification criteria.
• Support technical evaluations of alternative materials and proposed substitutions through documented performance comparisons.
• Review material qualification packages submitted by manufacturers and suppliers for completeness, accuracy, and technical consistency.
• Assess supplier quality documentation, manufacturing process information, inspection records, and relevant certification evidence.
• Analyse historical refractory failure records, wear patterns, repair histories, and service-life data to identify performance trends.
• Support root-cause investigations into documented refractory deterioration, cracking, spalling, erosion, chemical attack, and premature failure.
• Prepare technical assessment reports, material comparison studies, qualification summaries, and approval recommendations.
• Maintain controlled records of approved materials, supplier qualifications, test results, technical deviations, and specification revisions.
• Review nonconformance reports and corrective action documentation relating to refractory material quality.
• Coordinate remotely with laboratories and manufacturers to clarify test methods, resolve documentation discrepancies, and obtain missing technical evidence.
• Support the development and maintenance of refractory material specifications, inspection criteria, and qualification procedures.
• Participate in virtual technical reviews involving engineering, procurement, maintenance, and project management stakeholders.
• Provide technical input into procurement evaluations and supplier selection processes based on documented material performance.
• Monitor developments in refractory technology, industrial furnace design, testing methodologies, and applicable material standards.
• Support internal quality audits, supplier assessments, and project documentation reviews relating to refractory materials.
• Evaluate proposed improvements to refractory material selection, application suitability, and lifecycle performance monitoring.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Ceramic Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Master's degree in Materials Engineering, Ceramics, Metallurgy, or Industrial Materials Science is preferred.
• Significant experience in refractory materials engineering, materials qualification, technical quality assurance, or high-temperature industrial applications.
• Strong understanding of refractory material classifications, properties, manufacturing processes, and application requirements.
• Knowledge of alumina-silica systems, basic refractories, insulating materials, castables, bricks, and other specialised refractory products.
• Experience reviewing laboratory test results and material performance data against technical specifications.
• Familiarity with refractory testing methods and relevant ASTM, ISO, EN, or other recognised industry standards.
• Understanding of thermal conductivity, thermal expansion, porosity, density, mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, and thermal shock behaviour.
• Experience evaluating supplier documentation, certificates of analysis, material qualification reports, and technical submittals.
• Knowledge of refractory degradation mechanisms, including chemical attack, abrasion, erosion, thermal cycling, and mechanical damage.
• Familiarity with industrial applications such as steelmaking, cement production, petrochemicals, aluminium processing, power generation, and waste treatment.
• Ability to assess material compatibility with operating conditions and recommend technically justified alternatives.
• Experience with technical deviation management, nonconformance investigations, and corrective action processes.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, technical reporting tools, and document management systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex engineering and laboratory data.
• Excellent technical writing and communication skills, including the preparation of material qualification reports and engineering recommendations.
• Ability to coordinate with suppliers, testing laboratories, engineers, and procurement teams across different locations.
• Relevant professional engineering registration or certification is an advantage, where applicable.

What We Offer

• A 100% remote working arrangement based in the United Arab Emirates.
• Opportunities to contribute to industrial materials qualification and high-temperature engineering projects.
• Collaboration with materials engineers, manufacturers, laboratories, and industrial quality professionals.
• Opportunities for professional development in refractory technologies, materials testing, and engineering quality systems.
• A technically focused position involving material evaluation, supplier assessment, and performance improvement.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit an updated CV highlighting their experience in refractory materials, materials engineering, ceramics, metallurgical engineering, supplier qualification, or industrial quality assurance.

Application Subject: Application – Senior Refractory Material Qualification Specialist (UAE Remote)

• Candidates should confirm applicable employment arrangements, residency requirements, and work authorisation before accepting an offer. This position is 100% remote and does not require routine on-site attendance. Physical material sampling, laboratory testing, manufacturing inspections, site assessments, refractory installation supervision, and equipment inspections must be performed by qualified local personnel. The specialist's responsibilities are limited to remote technical review, qualification analysis, documentation assessment, and engineering recommendations. Formal engineering approvals, statutory certifications, and regulated sign-offs must be completed by appropriately authorised professionals.