Metallurgical Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary:

The Metallurgical Engineer is responsible for supporting and improving metallurgical processes within an automotive manufacturing environment. This role ensures material integrity, process stability, and compliance with customer and regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in metallurgy and materials engineering. Candidates with experience in die casting, metal casting, high-volume manufacturing, or automotive manufacturing are highly desired. Experienced candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Outstanding recent graduates or early-career engineers with hands-on metallurgical characterization experience gained through industry, internships, co-ops, research, capstone projects, or university laboratory work will also be considered.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide metallurgical expertise to support die casting operations and related secondary processes.

• Analyze casting defects, porosity, inclusions, and microstructure to determine root cause and implement corrective actions.

• Lead failure analysis investigations involving fractured or non-conforming components.

• Support new product launches through material validation, PPAP documentation, and process capability studies.

• Collaborate with Quality, Production, and Maintenance teams to improve casting yield, reduce scrap, and optimize process parameters.

• Develop and maintain metallurgical standards, specifications, and control plans.

• Conduct laboratory testing including hardness, tensile, microstructure evaluation, and chemical composition analysis.

• Support supplier quality initiatives related to raw materials and cast components.

• Participate in APQP activities and customer technical reviews.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to improve material performance and reduce cost.

• Ensure compliance with ISO/IATF quality management system requirements.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or related Engineering discipline.

• Relevant experience in metallurgy, materials engineering, manufacturing, metals processing, or metallurgical laboratory work. Experienced candidates are strongly encouraged to apply; outstanding recent graduates with strong hands-on laboratory, internship, co-op, research, or capstone experience will also be considered.

• Hands-on experience with metallurgical characterization techniques such as metallographic sample preparation, optical microscopy, hardness testing, tensile testing, chemical composition analysis, or failure analysis.

• Strong understanding of metallurgy principles, heat treatment, and casting defect analysis.

• Experience with metallurgical lab equipment and analysis techniques.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and root cause analysis skills.

• Ability to interpret technical data, document findings, and communicate results clearly.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Five or more years of manufacturing, metallurgy, materials engineering, casting, or quality engineering experience.

• Experience with aluminum or magnesium die casting processes or other metal casting/manufacturing processes.

• Experience working in automotive manufacturing or other high-volume manufacturing environments.

• Knowledge of automotive quality standards and tools, including IATF 16949, APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans, 8D, Fishbone, and 5-Why.

• Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing certification.

• Experience working directly with automotive OEM customers.

• Familiarity with simulation software related to casting processes.

Competencies:

• Technical expertise in metallurgy and casting processes.

• Analytical and data-driven decision-making.

• Cross-functional collaboration.

• Continuous improvement mindset.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Technical curiosity, willingness to learn, and ability to work effectively in a plant environment.