Metallurgist

Job Title: Metallurgical Engineer Reports To: Director of Quality Classification: Exempt Compensation: $90-120k, Medical, 2-3 weeks PTO, 401k Matching Location: Cleveland, TX Company Overview Our company has been a leader in forging, heat treating, machining, and testing pipe flanges in the USA for over 75 years. With a team of more than 80 employees, we specialize in engineering, quality assurance, inspection, and production. Using proprietary technology, we forge some of the most challenging alloys into high-quality, precision-controlled flanges. Every product undergoes rigorous quality assurance, from heat treatment to final inspection. We proudly adhere to ASME, PED, ISO, and TSSA standards, making us one of the few forging providers in the U.S. with such distinctions. As a global supplier, we serve various industries, offering both single-product and large-scale forged solutions up to 2,500 pounds. Job Summary The Metallurgical Engineer is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining metallurgical and process controls that support high-quality forging operations. This role provides advanced technical expertise in materials selection, forging, heat treatment, testing, and failure analysis to ensure products meet all governing codes, industry standards, and customer specifications. The Metallurgical Engineer collaborates closely with Quality, Production, Sales, and laboratory personnel to drive continuous improvement and technical excellence. Requirements & Qualifications o B.S. in Metallurgical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering with metallurgy concentration. o Minimum 5 years of metallurgy experience in a forging or foundry environment. o Demonstrated knowledge of ASME, ASTM, API, AMS, MIL-SPEC, NAVSEA/EB, and ASNT requirements. o Strong understanding of forged materials including carbon steels, low-alloy steels, stainless steels, duplex and super duplex stainless steels, and nickel-based alloys. Demonstrated experience in Mechanical Testing Performing tensile, compression, hardness, impact, fatigue, and bend tests to determine material properties. Using universal testing machines (UTM), Charpy impact testers, Rockwell or Brinell hardness testers. Interpreting test data to predict performance under real-world operating conditions. Demonstrated Experience in Metallurgical & Materials Characterization Examining microstructure using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), or X-ray diffraction. Identifying defects, inclusions, grain size, phase composition, and crystallography. Performing failure analysis to determine the root cause of cracks, fractures, or surface anomalies. Demonstrated Experience in Laboratory Methods & Standards Compliance Designing and executing lab experiments to validate process parameters. Developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for sample preparation, testing, and reporting. Ensuring compliance with industry standards (ASTM, ISO, SAE) and maintaining proper documentation. o Solid knowledge of forging operations, heat treatment cycles, and material performance characteristics. o Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly and effectively to cross-functional teams. o Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook). o 18 years or older and legally authorized to work in the U.S. o Able to communicate in English o High school diploma / GED o Wear personal protective equipment (PPE), including but not limited to: eye & hearing protection, gloves, steel-toed boots, hard hat, and flame retardant work clothes, etc. o Able to lift up to 25 lbs. & work in varying environmental conditions (heat, dust, noise, vibration, humidity). Preferences o Experience with metallurgical modeling tools (Thermo-Calc, JMatPro, DEFORM) preferred. What you do on Job Technical Documentation & Standards Compliance Develop Technical Data Sheets outlining forging, heat treatment, and testing requirements based on material specifications, industry standards, and customer requirements. Review customer Purchase Orders and provide interpretation of metallurgical, testing, and specification requirements. Support the Sales team during Request for Quote (RFQ) reviews by identifying applicable standards, testing protocols, and technical risks. Interpret and apply standards from: American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) ASTM International (ASTM) American Petroleum Institute (API) Aerospace Material Specifications (AMS) Military Specifications (MIL-SPEC) Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) / Electric Boat (EB) American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) Metallurgical Analysis & Laboratory Evaluation Verify mill test reports (MTRs), laboratory results, and mechanical/chemical testing data to ensure compliance with all requirements. Perform metallurgical evaluations, including: Optical microscopy Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) Microstructure and grain size analysis (ASTM E112) Inclusion rating (ASTM E45) Hardness testing (Brinell, Rockwell, Vickers; ASTM E10/E18) Tensile, impact, and fracture analysis Review and interpret nondestructive testing reports (VT, MT, PT, UT, RT) for compliance and quality assurance. Forging & Heat Treatment Process Control Develop and refine work instructions for forging and heat treatment processes to improve consistency and reduce variation. Apply heat-treating methodologies including austenitizing, quenching, tempering, normalizing, solution treating, and aging. Evaluate Time-Temperature-Transformation (TTT) and Continuous-Cooling-Transformation (CCT) diagrams for material optimization. Support furnace calibration and pyrometry compliance (AMS 2750). Analyze forging defects (laps, folds, porosity, cracking) and develop corrective actions. Research, Development & New Material Introduction Lead R&D projects for new materials, specifications, and process improvement initiatives. Utilize modeling and simulation software (e.g., Thermo-Calc, JMatPro, DEFORM) to predict material behavior and optimize forging parameters. Develop new forging/heat-treating processes that support emerging customer and industry requirements. Failure Analysis & Corrective Action Conduct metallurgical failure analyses to identify root causes using SEM, fractography, mechanical data, and historical process information. Apply structured problem-solving methodologies: Root Cause Analysis (RCA) 8D Methodology DMAIC (Six Sigma) Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) Document findings and present results to internal teams and customers as required. Quality, Compliance & Continuous Improvement Support Quality Management System (QMS) activities, including audits, certifications, and product traceability. Develop control plans, process capability studies (Cp/Cpk), and Statistical Process Control (SPC) charts. Collaborate with Production to enhance material flow, minimize scrap/rework, and ensure consistent product performance. o Follow all company safety policies and procedures. o Assist other processes as directed by the supervisor. We are an equal opportunity employer and comply with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, including those related to nondiscrimination, disability accommodations, and workplace safety. Qualified candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. #J-18808-Ljbffr