Lab Engineer

Hydro•Troy, MI

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Lab Engineer plays a critical role in ensuring the quality and compliance of aluminum extruded products. This position involves performing BQA, mechanical testing, and, in some cases, metallurgical testing to verify material properties and dimensions against customer requirements and industry standards (e.g., Aluminum Standards Association guidelines). The Lab Engineer will complete chemical analysis and material qualification testing, conduct testing required for root cause analysis of quality claims, and at times travel for plant support. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, mechanically inclined, and committed to maintaining a safe and efficient laboratory environment. This role’s primary function is to prepare and perform rigorous testing and metallurgical analysis on aluminum products and report the results.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
Associate's degree or Science/Technical School Degree.
Previous hands on work experience in a Testing Lab for materials analysis.

Nice To Haves

Good mechanical aptitude to safely and efficiently operate equipment including testing equipment, band saw, polishing machines, aging ovens, etc.
Aluminum or Steel manufacturing experience.
Experience with SEM/EDS, Keyence, and other metallurgical analysis tools.

Responsibilities

Safely and accurately operate laboratory equipment, including but not limited to tensile testing machines, micrometers, calipers, OES, SEM, Keyence systems, age ovens, hardness testers, and other metallurgical analysis tools.
Accurately record all test and analysis results, maintain detailed logs, and input data into relevant systems.
Perform routine checks, maintenance, and calibration on laboratory instruments and equipment to ensure accuracy and reliability of results.
Adhere strictly to all company safety protocols, maintain a clean and organized work area, and manage hazardous waste according to regulations.
Perform a variety of tests on aluminum materials per internal and external customer work orders.
Prepare samples and conduct metallurgical analysis utilizing light optical microscopy.
Prepare, analyze, and report mechanical properties of aluminum extrusions in accordance with testing procedures and customer-required specifications.
Perform monthly Billet Quality Assessment (BQA) reporting for regional cast houses.
Conduct mechanical testing (tensile yield elongation, hardness, bend testing, and other testing as required).
Perform chemical analysis (OES, etc.).
Conduct SEM/EDS metallography.
Drive continuous improvements throughout the lab utilizing the Extrusion Business System (EBS) methodology.