Metallurgical Engineering Co-Op

Novelis Global R&T•Spokane Valley, WA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Novelis is a global leader in aluminum recycling and rolling, providing sustainable aluminum solutions to aerospace, automotive, beverage packaging, and specialty markets. With headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, Novelis employs approximately 13,000 people across 32 operating facilities on four continents. This Co-Op program is with the Molten Metal Processing team in Spokane, seeking a Metallurgical Engineering Co-Op for an approximately 8-month duration. The role reports to the Lead Research Scientist and involves assisting with laboratory experiments, metallurgical sample preparation, materials characterization, and technical documentation. The Co-Op will gain practical experience in aluminum solidification, melting and casting, scrap analysis, and advanced characterization techniques, contributing to projects focused on manufacturing excellence, product quality, and Novelis’ sustainability goals.

Requirements

Currently pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD degree in metallurgical engineering, materials science, materials engineering.
Basic laboratory skills and willingness to learn metallurgical sample preparation and characterization techniques.
Willingness to work safely with aluminum molten metal, melting furnaces, heat treatment ovens, laboratory instruments, salts, and chemicals including acids and bases.
Ability to work effectively in a team environment, communicate clearly, and engage with a variety of technical stakeholders.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Hands-on experience in a metallurgical, materials science, or chemistry laboratory.
Coursework or experience related to aluminum alloys, solidification, phase transformations, or materials characterization.
Experience with optical microscopy, SEM/EDS, image analysis, or metallographic sample preparation.
Interest in aluminum recycling, molten metal processing, manufacturing, and sustainability-focused research.

Responsibilities

Demonstrate a personal commitment to safety by following Novelis safety rules, laboratory practices, and equipment operating procedures.
Support assigned technical projects by following project requirements, documenting progress, and meeting agreed timelines.
Collaborate with researchers, engineers, technicians, and cross-functional team members to achieve project objectives.
Assist with small-scale aluminum melting, casting, heat treatment, and solidification experiments in a laboratory environment.
Prepare metallurgical samples through machining, mounting, grinding, polishing, and etching.
Support materials characterization using optical microscopy and, as needed, SEM, EBSD, EDS, XRD, XRF, OES, DSC, TGA, and LIBS techniques.
Plan, organize, and execute laboratory tests according to standard procedures and project needs.
Document observations, test results, and conclusions in clear technical summaries and reports.
Assist with sampling and analysis of aluminum molten metal chemistry, inclusions, and hydrogen content.