Metallurgical Test Engineer - Automotive

Stefanini$83K — $91K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Deep understanding of metallurgical principles including phase transformations and alloy behavior.
  • Strong problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
  • Exceptional technical writing abilities for documentation and data presentation.

Responsibilities

  • Validate heat treatment results through metallurgical analyses and inspections.
  • Collaborate with engineers to interpret heat treatment process data and resolve deviations.
  • Lead investigations on failures and contamination-related nonconformities.
  • Work with technicians to refine preparation accuracy and documentation.
  • Ensure adherence to ISO/ASTM standards and Volvo specifications in testing and compliance.

Benefits

  • Work in a foundational technical role with cross-department exposure.
  • Opportunity for occasional travel for global benchmarking and training.
  • Engagement in advanced metallurgy certifications and professional development.
Full Job Description
Details:

Stefanini is looking for a Metallurgical Test Engineer - Automotive in Hagerstown, MD

For quick apply, please reach out to Allan Angeles

Call:(248) 936-0633 / Email: [email protected]

Work Location: 13302 Pennsylvania Ave. Hagerstown, MD 21742

  • 40 hours/week. Occasional travel for global benchmarking, training, or audits.


Responsibilities:

The Metallurgy Engineer supports the durability, cleanliness, and metallurgical compliance of diesel engine and transmission components. The primary mission includes:
  • Validating heat treatment outcomes (especially induction hardening and carburizing) through precise metallurgical analysis and inspection.
  • Collaborating with the Heat Treatment Engineer to interpret process trends and address deviations.
  • Leading failure and cleanliness investigations, applying metallurgical knowledge to identify causes of material- or contamination-related nonconformities.
  • Partnering with technicians to improve preparation accuracy, documentation, and adherence to Volvo standards.
  • Ensuring compliance with ISO/ASTM standards, Volvo specifications, and best practices in metallurgical testing.


Scope and Influence:

This non-managerial technical role is foundational to quality, production support, and lab advancement. The Metallurgy Engineer works across departments to enhance metallurgical inspection accuracy, technical cleanliness investigations, and procedural standardization.

Key Responsibilities/Accountabilities:

I Do My Job:
  • Validate induction hardening and carburizing outcomes by inspecting microstructure, case depth, and hardness.
  • Conduct failure analysis using SEM/EDS, hardness profiling, microstructure, and macro/micro etching.
  • Support technical cleanliness efforts, including contamination source identification and material-type analysis.
  • Collaborate with lab technicians to improve preparation methods, documentation consistency, and inspection alignment with Volvo and ISO procedures.
  • Conduct particle classification and reporting using VDA 19.1 / ISO 16232 standards.
  • Assist with process audits and material quality reviews for in-house and supplier operations.
  • Maintain a clean and tidy work area with a 5S mindset.
  • Attend trainings and meetings as per orientation.


I Improve My Job
  • Lead initiatives to standardize lab processes, improve test documentation, and reduce variation in metallurgical evaluations.
  • Assist in root cause investigations tied to material failures, hardness deviation, or cleanliness nonconformities.
  • Identify and implement improvements in sample prep, inspection flow, or image/data storage.


I Develop Myself
  • Participate in advanced metallurgy and testing certifications, including:
    1. ASM Mechanical Testing
    2. SEM Operator Training
    3. Metallurgy for Non-Metallurgists
  • Stay up to date on cleanliness inspection techniques, Volvo STD 107-0002, and VDA 19.1, especially in relation to particle behavior and source identification.


I Develop My Team
  • Mentor technicians in preparation techniques, etching protocols, and image quality expectations.
  • Act as a reference for metallurgical standards and test requirements during audits or new program launches.
  • Support global alignment by reviewing procedures and lab practices from benchmark Volvo sites.


Information Systems
  • Microscopes & Analysis Systems:
    • Jomesa (cleanliness inspection and image classification)
    • Leica (metallography and general microscopy)
    • SEM/EBSD/EDS (Oxford or equivalent)
    • Brinell Hardness Tester
    • Vickers / Rockwell Testers
    • Ultrasonic inspection system (for case depth validation)
    • Tensile Testing Machine
    • Carbon Analyzer Tester
  • Nondestructive Testing Tools:
    • Barkhausen noise inspection (grinding burn detection)
    • Acid etching
  • Liquid Penetrant
    • Magnaflux for surface crack detection
  • Cleanliness Testing & Preparation:
    • Filtration systems and particle extraction stations
    • ISO 16232 / VDA 19.1 compliant extraction setups

  • Mechanisms for DI-water, Bonderite flush, solvents, and heated flush procedures

  • Digital Tools & Systems:
    • Power BI (trend monitoring & dashboards)
    • Power Apps (lab input interface & workflows)
    • SharePoint (document control & report archiving)
    • Office 365


Key targets and results:
  • Turnaround time for hardness and cleanliness inspections
  • Accurate particle classification in cleanliness reports
  • Case depth and microstructure conformance rate for heat-treated parts
  • Compliance with Volvo, ISO, and VDA standards
  • Training success rate of lab personnel on new methods/tools
  • Contribution to SQDCEP targets across metallurgy and cleanliness scopes


Job Requirements

Details:

Qualifications:
  • Metallurgical Knowledge: Deep understanding of phase transformations, alloy behavior, fracture mechanics, corrosion, and high-temperature properties.
  • Problem-Solving: Strong analytical mindset, attention to detail, and ability to solve complex material issues.
  • Technical Writing: Excellent ability to document and present complex technical data clearly.


Listed salary ranges may vary based on experience, qualifications, and local market.

#LI-AA1

#LI-ONSITE

Pay Range:

$ 40.00 - $ 43.50

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