Metallurgical Technician

Beehive Industries; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Life insurance

Short-term and Long-Term disability

401(k) with company match

Equity in the company

Job summary

Beehive Industries in Knoxville, TN is seeking a Metallurgical Technician to perform hands-on laboratory activities that support materials development, Additive Manufacturing (AM) process development, and production operations. You will prepare samples, conduct metallographic evaluations, operate lab equipment, and document results to help deliver reliable data for process trials and investigations.

You will collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and other teams to ensure accurate

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of hands-on metallurgical laboratory experience in an industrial or testing environment preferred.
• Ability to follow written procedures, safely operate equipment, and accurately document results.
• Strong attention to detail and willingness to learn metallurgical laboratory processes.
• Basic familiarity with characterization equipment such as optical microscopes, SEM, and chemical analysis tools.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine imaging, measurements, and material testing in accordance with established lab procedures and test methods.
• Prepare samples and perform routine metallographic evaluations to support materials development and Additive Manufacturing activities.
• Operate laboratory equipment and maintain required equipment, calibration, testing, and sample records.
• Support powder characterization, tensile testing, heat-treatment trials, and other material testing activities as needed.
• Support Additive Manufacturing development activities by preparing samples, executing assigned test procedures, and accurately documenting results.
• Log incoming laboratory work, maintain accurate job status, and help manage laboratory priorities and schedules to support timely completion of testing.
• Review test results for accuracy and consistency, and identify and upscale unusual results, material conditions, or equipment issues to the appropriate team members.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe laboratory environment, including proper handling and storage of samples, equipment, materials, and chemicals.
• Follow all laboratory safety procedures, PPE requirements, work instructions, and established quality processes.
• Assist with other Quality and laboratory activities, including inspections, documentation, testing, and investigations, as workload allows.
• Support continuous improvement efforts by identifying opportunities to improve laboratory processes, equipment utilization, testing methods, and workflow.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Metallography basics

Material testing methods

Optical microscopy

Analytical reasoning

Documentation of data

Education

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent experience

Tools

Optical microscopes

SEM

Chemical analysis tools

Powder characterization equipment

Job description

Role Overview

The Metallurgical Technician performs hands-on metallurgical laboratory activities to support materials development, Additive Manufacturing (AM) process development, and production operations. This roleis responsible forpreparing and evaluating metal specimens, performing routine metallographic and material characterization testing, operating laboratory equipment, and accurately documenting test results. The position works closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and other cross-functional teams to provide reliable materials data, support process trials and investigations, and helpmaintainsafe, organized, and efficient laboratory operations.

What You'll Do…

• Perform routine imaging, measurements, and material testingin accordance withestablished laboratory procedures and test methods.

• Prepare samples and perform routine metallographic evaluations to support materials development and Additive Manufacturing activities.

• Operate laboratory equipment andmaintainrequired equipment, calibration, testing, and sample records.

• Support powder characterization, tensile testing, heat-treatment trials, and other material testing activities as needed.

• Support Additive Manufacturing development activities by preparing samples, executing assigned test procedures, and accurately documenting results.

• Log incoming laboratory work,maintainaccuratejob status, and help manage laboratory priorities and schedules to supporttimelycompletion of testing.

• Review test results for accuracy and consistency, andidentifyand upscale unusual results, material conditions, or equipment issues to theappropriate teammembers.

• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe laboratory environment, including proper handling and storage of samples, equipment, materials, and chemicals.

• Follow all laboratory safety procedures, PPE requirements, work instructions, and established quality processes.

• Assistwith other Quality and laboratory activities, including inspections, documentation, testing, and investigations, as laboratory workload allows.

• Support continuous improvement efforts byidentifyingopportunities to improve laboratory processes, equipmentutilization, testing methods, and workflow.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

You have…

Education

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent experience

Experience

• 1–2 years of hands-on metallurgical laboratory experience in an industrial or testing environmentpreferred

• Experience working in a manufacturing, quality, laboratory, or technical environment

• Ability to follow written procedures, safelyoperateequipment, and accurately document results

• Strong attention to detail and willingness to learn metallurgical laboratory processesBasic familiarity with characterization equipment such as optical microscopes, SEM, and chemical analysis tools

Skills & Competencies

• Basic understanding of materials science, metallurgy, and metallographic principles.

• Working knowledge of basic metallographic sample preparation techniques and practices.

• Familiarity with optical microscopy and the ability toidentifybasic material characteristics, defects, and abnormalities.

• Familiarity with common material testing methods, including tensile testing, hardness testing, and microscopy.

• Basic understanding of metal additive manufacturing processes and material characteristics.

• Basic familiarity with metal powders and powder handling practices.

• Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to safelyoperateand perform routine troubleshooting of laboratory equipment.

• Ability to accurately follow detailed procedures, work instructions, and standardized test methods.

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producingaccurateand repeatable test results.

• Ability to accurately collect, document, organize, and communicate technical data and test results.

• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple laboratory activities and priorities.

• Proficiencywith Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and Word.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.

• Effective verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and other cross-functional teams.

• Demonstrated commitment to laboratory safety, quality, cleanliness, and continuous improvement.

• The ability to obtain andmaintaina U.S. government issued security clearance isrequired. U.S. citizenship isrequired, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

Nice to have…

• Experience working in additive manufacturing, aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.

• Experience with advanced metrology and measurement systems, including Keyence, GOM scanners, or similar technologies.

• Experience with advanced material characterization techniques or equipment, such as SEM or other microscopy systems.

• Experience with metal powder characterization, including particle size, morphology, flowability, or density measurements.

• Experience supporting heat-treatment processes and evaluating their impact on material properties or microstructure.

• Experience with ERP, QMS, LIMS, or other systems used for laboratory tracking, nonconformance reporting, document control, calibration management, or test data.

• Experience supporting root cause investigations, material evaluations, nonconformance investigations, or corrective actions.

Beehive Industries offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes group Medical, Dental, Life,and Short and Long-Term disability coverage from day one. We also offer a generous 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with a Company match.Every role at Beehive Industries is bonus eligible and will also receive equity in the company.

Beehive Industries is committed to full compliance with applicable anti-discrimination laws. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We strive to create an inclusive work environment and will not discriminateon the basis ofrace, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.