Quality Engineer - Metallurgy

The Quality Engineer – Metallurgy provides technical and quality oversight related to metallic materials and special processes within STS Metals. This position focuses on the integrity of metallurgical practices, testing, and process qualification in compliance with aerospace and defense industry standards such as AS9100, NADCAP, and customer-specific requirements.

The Metallurgical Quality Engineer supports the Quality and Production departments by performing reviews of metallurgical documentation, overseeing heat treatment and forging compliance, analyzing test data, and driving continuous improvement related to material performance and process reliability. This is a full-time Exempt position.

Material Review & Specification Compliance

• Review mill certifications, heat treat records, forging documentation, and mechanical test results to ensure compliance with specifications.
• Interpret aerospace and customer material requirements, including AMS, ASTM, and other industry standards.
• Evaluate and verify compliance to purchase order requirements and drawing notes.

Metallurgical Testing & Analysis

• Oversee metallurgical evaluations such as microstructure, grain size, and cleanliness inspections.
• Interpret results from tensile, hardness, impact, and fracture toughness testing.
• Perform or support failure investigations, including root cause analysis and corrective action implementation.

Process & Special Process Oversight

• Support qualification and monitoring of heat treatment, forging, and other special processes. (per NADCAP guidelines)
• Review and approve thermal processing and forging procedures to ensure alignment with customer and industry requirements.
• Lead or Participate in process audits and contribute to corrective/preventive actions related to metallurgical controls.

Continuous Improvement & Technical Support

• Analyze quality trends and material performance data to recommend process improvements.
• Participate in cross-functional teams to improve product quality and reduce nonconformances.
• Provide metallurgical guidance to production, quality, and sales teams.

Quality System Support

• Assist in maintaining compliance to AS9100 and NADCAP standards.
• Support internal and external audits, including documentation preparation and technical responses.
• Participate in FMEA, control plan development, and material review board (MRB) activities.
• Lead or participate in root cause analysis and problem-solving initiatives

Customer & Supplier Communication

• Communicate technical findings and metallurgical issues to customers and vendors.
• Assist in addressing metallurgical concerns, dispositioning material, and supporting quality investigations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field.
• Alternatively, 10+ years of progressive metallurgical or quality experience in aerospace metals, forging, or heat treatment environments.
• Strong understanding of heat treatment, forging, and metallurgical testing. (tensile, hardness, grain size, etc.)
• Familiarity with NADCAP special processes and AS9100/ISO 9001 quality systems.
• Proficiency in interpreting technical drawings and material specifications. (AMS, ASTM, MIL, etc.)
• Knowledge of root cause analysis, SPC, and quality tools is preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with titanium, nickel alloys, and stainless steels in aerospace applications is a plus.