Materials Testing & Metallurgy Technician

Springrecruits; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Pandrol Memphis hosts a hands-on Materials Testing & Metallurgy Technician role focusing on metallurgical sample preparation and mechanical testing of steel, welds, and castings. You will perform hardness, tensile, fatigue, and magnetic particle testing and support QA expectations.

You will coordinate with cross-functional teams, manage lab studies, and ensure accurate records while maintaining lab equipment and safety standards at the Memphis facility.

Qualifications

• Technical College or Associate degree required.
• Knowledge of metallurgical sample preparation and testing procedures.
• Ability to operate general and specialized lab equipment with minimal supervision.
• Experience with hardness testing, optical microscopy, and chemical analysis is preferred.
• Detail oriented with strong documentation skills and ability to work in a lab environment.
• Experience in a laboratory setting and working with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Carry out metallurgy lab projects to support customer requests.
• Manage lab studies for product development initiatives.
• Oversee receiving inspection of raw materials (steel, castings).
• Investigate customer returns, welds, and failed components.
• Maintain accurate records of lab activities and write basic reports.
• Support rail welding trials and new product development.
• Perform routine cleaning and maintenance of lab equipment.
• Coordinate calibration schedules for gauges and equipment.
• Organize and manage physical samples from projects.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external labs for testing.

Skills

Metallurgical prep

Hardness testing

Optical microscopy

Mechanical testing

Documentation

Calibration

Teamwork

Troubleshooting

Education

Technical College or Associate degree

Tools

Band saw

Rotary saw

Angle grinder

Surface grinder

Job description

We are assisting our client with the search for a hands-on Materials Testing & Metallurgy Technician in Memphis, TN. This position will perform metallurgical sample preparation and mechanical/material testing of steel, welds, castings, and other components, including hardness, tensile, fatigue, and magnetic particle testing.

MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB

1. To carry out metallurgy lab projects in a timely manner to support customer requests.
2. To manage lab studies to support ATW product development initiatives.
3. To manage receiving inspection process of raw materials like Steel, Castings etc.
4. To manage investigations for customer returns, welds, broken clips, etc.
5. To ensure that customers receive high-quality products that meet Company standards

KEY AREAS OF ACTIVITY AND RESPONSIBILITY

1. Maintain laboratory incoming samples database.
2. Perform preliminary visual inspection.
3. Prepares samples according to procedures appropriate for sample properties.
4. Section, mount and polish samples formetallurgical evaluation from customer rail weld failures, fatigue failures, broken clips, receiving inspection, etc.
5. Maintain accurate and detailed records of laboratory activities and findingsand write basic reports.
6. Be hands on, and willing to learn and support regular Rail welding trials as well as new product development initiatives.
7. Performs routine cleaning and maintenance of laboratory equipment and determines when equipment requires unscheduled maintenance.
8. Organize and maintain the physical samples from completed projects.
9. Be able to work in cross-functional teams while maintaining good communication.
10. Coordinates with global Pandrol & 3rd party labs for any testing & analysis work.
11. Mainitain calibration for gauges & equipment and co-ordinate yearly calibration schedules.
12. Follows established procedures and guidelines for checking, testing, and inspecting incoming raw materials, factored goods and rejects.
13. Performs mechanical testing of products (Hardness, Fatigue, Tensile, Magnetic Particle Inspection)
14. Orders parts needed for lab equipment consumables as needed. Maintains a safe and healthy work environment by following standards and procedures, and complying with legal regulations.
15. Performs all other duties or responsibilities, as assigned.

CONTACTS

• Internal
  • Pandrol site Personnel – Memphis and Napoleon Ohio
  • Pandrol business unit personnel
• External
  • Peers
  • Customers
  • Vendors

AUTONOMY/ACCOUNTABILITY

Be a key point of contact for coordinating sample receipt and shipment of critical lab samples for external and internal customers. Be responsible for day-to-day operation of the required laboratory equipment under minimal supervision.

IMPACT/SCOPE

Responsible for lab studies and receiving inspection of Memphis raw material. Reports the results of investigations from receiving material, customer returns, customer returned product and escalates any customer issues requiring immediate attention.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Technical College or Associate degree. Field of study: Technical discipline or non- technical degree with 3-5 years of relevant QHSE / Laboratory / manufacturing-based experience.
2. Must have basic knowledge of metallurgical sample preparation, testing procedures.
3. Must be able to use general and specialized equipment with moderate to minimal supervision to support mechanical and metallographic testing.
4. Have previous experience or knowledge about Hardness testing, Optical microscopy, Chemical analysis.
5. Must be detail oriented and be able to work under moderate supervision.
6. Have previous experience or knowledge working in a laboratory environment.
7. Ability to use general maintenance & fabrication tools like Band saw, Rotary saw, Angle grinder, Surface grinder etc.
8. Ability to use, operate, and maintain necessary tools, equipment, and instruments.
9. Ability to follow instructions and work independently or as part of a team.
10. Knowledge of root cause analysis methods and corrective and preventive action processes and tools
11. Ability to work with employees at all levels of the organization.
12. Excellent interpersonal, communication and documentation skills.
13. Demonstrated ability to deliver results against organization goals
14. Demonstrated ability to address and resolve complex technical issues
15. Computer proficient; detailed and comprehensive report writing
16. Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.