The Metallurgical Lab Technician in Heat Treat tests and verifies that parts meet hardness, microstructure, and case depth requirements after heat treatment. You make the call on whether a furnace load can move on to the next operation, so your work keeps parts flowing and keeps nonconforming material off the floor.
What you'll do
- Test parts and coupons after heat treat for hardness (Rockwell, Brinell, microhardness), case depth, and conductivity as required.
- Prepare metallographic samples: cut, mount, grind, polish, and etch. Examine them under the microscope for grain structure, decarburization, alpha case, carburization, and other defects.
- Review heat treat load records, furnace charts, and thermocouple data against the process specification and customer requirements.
- Release or hold loads based on results, and write up nonconformances with clear notes on what failed and why.
- Run pyrometry work: temperature uniformity surveys (TUS), system accuracy tests (SAT), and instrument calibration checks, following AMS 2750.
- Perform or support Nital etch inspection, magnetic particle (Magnaflux), and fluorescent penetrant inspection where qualified.
- Keep lab equipment calibrated and in good working order, including hardness testers, microscopes, saws, and polishers.
- Maintain accurate test records and certifications, and make sure each job's paperwork is complete before it moves on.
- Work with Heat Treat operators, Quality, Engineering, and Planning to resolve failed loads, rework, and retest requests quickly.
- Follow shop safety rules, including handling of etchants, acids, and hot material.
Required
- High school diploma or equivalent, plus 2+ years of hands-on experience in a metallurgical, materials testing, or heat treat lab.
- Working knowledge of how heat treat processes (annealing, normalizing, quench and temper, case hardening, stress relief) change metal properties.
- Experience with hardness testing and metallographic sample preparation.
- Ability to read and follow process specifications, drawings, and work instructions.
- Basic math and good attention to detail. Your records have to be accurate.
- Comfort with computers for entering data in the shop system (ERP) and writing reports.
- Associate or bachelor's degree in metallurgy, materials science, or a related field.
- Experience in aerospace or defense work, including Nadcap, AS9100, AMS 2750, and customer specs such as AMS 2759.
- NDT certification (Level II) in magnetic particle or penetrant inspection.
- Experience with titanium, nickel alloys, and high-strength steels.
- Familiarity with pyrometry and furnace calibration.