Metallurgical Lab Technician

IFA Rotorion; Summerville (SC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

IFA Rotorion in Summerville, SC is seeking a Metallurgical Lab Technician to support daily lab operations, including sample preparation and analytical testing, with emphasis on accuracy and documentation.

Key duties include preparing specimens, operating metallurgical equipment, and generating detailed reports while adhering to ISO/TS 16949, ISO 14001 and ISO 17025 standards in a fast-paced automotive manufacturing setting.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required.
• 0-2 years' experience in metallurgical testing; minimum 2 years in automotive manufacturing.
• Familiarity with ISO/TS 16949, ISO 14001 and ISO 17025.
• Ability to read and write English; read technical drawings.
• Commitment to safety, 5S, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Provide support for daily lab operations; sample prep and test execution.
• Operate machine shop equipment (saws, mills, lathes, grinders).
• Prepare metallurgical specimens and corrosion test samples.
• Run hardness, corrosion, tensile and other analytical tests.
• Maintain and calibrate lab equipment; perform preventive maintenance.
• Prepare technical reports documenting test results.

Skills

ISO 16949

ISO 14001

ISO 17025

Data control

Lean & 5S

Machine shop basics

Gages & micrometers

Hardness testing

Tensile testing

Metallurgical testing

Corrosion testing

Chemical analysis

Laboratory reagents

Reading drawings

MS Office suite

Effective communication

Safety compliance

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

High School diploma or GED

Associates Degree in a technical field

SAP experience

Tools

SAP

MS Office

Image analysis system

Metallurgical equipment

Calipers & micrometers

Corrosion testing equipment

Job description

The Metallurgical Lab Technician is responsible for providing support to the daily operations of the Metallurgical Laboratory including sample preparation, performance of analytical tests and preparation of technical reports.

Essential Functions:

• Maintain safety standards within the assigned area of responsibility
• Operation of common machine shop equipment including (but not limited to) horizontal and vertical band saws, milling machines, lathes, grinders and hand tools
• Preparation of mechanical, chemical and corrosion test specimens
• Operation of metallurgical equipment including metallurgical abrasive saw, hand grinder, manual polisher and mounting press
• Perform preventative maintenance on laboratory equipment as necessary
• Preparation of mounted and polished metallurgical samples
• Perform acid-etching on metallurgical samples
• Preparation of corrosion testing brine solutions
• Perform hardness testing
• Perform analytical chemical analysis testing
• Perform corrosion testing including applicable acceptance testing
• Perform routine tension and compression tests
• Operation of image analysis system
• Monitor and adjust corrosion chamber(s) conditions remaining with specified limits
• Perform weekly hardness verifications
• Perform weekly pH and salinity meter verifications and / or calibrations
• Communicate effectively using Outlook
• Compile and store information electronically per IFA standard operating procedures
• Preparation of technical reports documenting test results
• Monitor laboratory 30-day sample storage and dispose of samples as necessary
• Complies with ISO/TS 16949, ISO 14001 and ISO 17025
• Complies with organizational policies and procedures
• Utilize 5S methodology to maintain the laboratory Maintain laboratory 5S and housekeeping
• Performs other duties as assigned

Education:

• High School diploma or GED

Experience:

• 0 - 2 years' experience in metallurgical testing
• Minimum 2 years' experience in an automotive manufacturing environment

Specific Skills:

• Working knowledge of ISO/TS 16949, ISO 14001 and ISO 17025
• Demonstrated understanding of ISO 17025 requirements including data control, laboratory integrity and continual improvement
• Familiarity with lean principles including 5S
• Basic knowledge of machine shop equipment and practices
• Basic knowledge of handheld gages and equipment (calipers, micrometers, thickness gages, etc.)
• Basic knowledge of hardness testing methods, equipment and sample preparation
• Basic knowledge of tensile testing methods, equipment and sample preparation
• Basic knowledge of metallurgical testing methods, equipment and sample preparation
• Basic knowledge of corrosion testing methods, equipment and sample preparation
• Basic knowledge of chemical analysis testing methods, equipment and sample preparation
• Basic knowledge of laboratory chemicals and reagents
• Basic knowledge of driveshaft components
• Basic knowledge of both metric and English units of measure
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings
• Ability to read and write English
• Ability to read and follow technical test methods and specifications
• Ability to create accurate technically competent test reports
• Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization others
• Ability to work with cross-functional teams
• Trained and knowledgeable in site safety policies and procedures
• Ability to plan and organize his or her own work effectively in consultation with others
• Demonstrated knowledge of computer and software operation including MS Word, Excel, Outlook & Access
• Understand the consequences of non-conformances to the customer
• Understand the relevance and importance of their activities and how they contribute to achieving quality objectives (UNIVERSAL per TS 16949)

Desired – Education/Skills/Experience:

• Associates Degree in a technical field
• Previous metallurgical laboratory experience
• SAP experience

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to walk/move about a 500,000sq ft manufacturing facility: 90% of the time
• Must be able to stand/walk/move about specific work area: 90% of the time
• Must be able to bend/reach/twist/stoop: 70% of the time
• Must be able to lift 40lbs on a frequent basis: 40% of the time
• Must be able to sit at a work station: 50% of the time
• Must be able to work and operate a computer terminal: 80% of the time
• Vision is required to analyze and process work; and to work on computer terminal/machine centers, etc.
• Hearing is essential for safety reasons; and to communicate with employees, supervisors, managers, vendors, suppliers and customers via conversation, group meetings, and/or phone conferences.
• Must be able to work any shift as required including overtime as needed
• Must be able to wear a painting suit and respirator
• Must be able to work with paints and solvents
• Must be able to work with laboratory reagents

AAP/EEO Statement

IFA North America provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, IFA North America complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.