Metallurgical Technician

Beehive Industries, LLC; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Life Insurance

401(k) Company match

Equity in the company

Job summary

Beehive Industries is seeking a Metallurgical Technician to support materials development and additive manufacturing at our Knoxville, TN facility. You will prepare samples, perform metallographic evaluations, and assist with tensile tests and heat-treatment trials to generate reliable materials data for process improvements.

The role requires following procedures, maintaining equipment, and documenting results with accuracy while collaborating with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality teams

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of hands‑on metallurgical laboratory experience in an industrial or testing environment preferred.
• Experience working in a manufacturing, quality, laboratory, or technical environment.
• Ability to follow written procedures, safely operate equipment, and accurately document results.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine imaging, measurements, and material testing per established procedures.
• Prepare samples and perform metallographic evaluations for AM and materials development.
• Operate laboratory equipment and maintain calibration, testing, and sample records.
• Support powder characterization, tensile testing, heat-treatment trials, and other material testing activities.
• Log work, maintain accurate status, and manage priorities to meet testing timelines.
• Review results for accuracy and identify any anomalies or equipment issues.

Skills

Metallurgical lab experience

Analytical skills

Documentation

Microsoft Excel

Independent worker

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Optical microscopy

SEM

Chemical analysis tools

Powder characterization equipment

Job description

Beehive Industries is dedicated to Powering American Defense by revolutionizing the design, development, and delivery of jet propulsion systems to support the warfighter. Through the integration of additive manufacturing, the company aims to meet the growing and urgent needs for unmanned aerial defense by dramatically improving a jet engine’s speed to market, fuel efficiency, and cost.

Founded in 2020, the company is headquartered in Centennial, Colorado, with additional facilities in Knoxville, Tennessee, Loveland Ohio, and Mount Vernon, Ohio. Beehive is committed to grow and advance the defense industrial base while manufacturing exclusively in the USA. This role will be located at our Knoxville, Tennessee facility.

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 elevate 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
• 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.

This could be the opportunity you are looking for to expand your skills, contribute to a winning team, and work with talented people who love what they do and take pride in our mission.

• 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.