Metallurgy Internship

Steel Dynamics, Inc.•Union, IN

12d•Onsite

About The Position

Steel Dynamics' metallurgy internships provide a unique blend of office-based engineering work and hands-on industrial experience. Interns actively collaborate with operators and maintenance teams on the production floor, applying engineering principles to equipment, systems, and processes. This immersive approach allows interns to design, test, and witness the immediate impact of their solutions in real-world conditions. At SDI, metallurgy is a dynamic combination of technical analysis and practical application, exposing interns to the full scope of how metallurgy drives production success.

Requirements

Candidates should be enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree program in Materials Science or Engineering
Preferred GPA of at least 2.7

Nice To Haves

Analyze aluminum scrap using optical emission spectrometry (OES) to determine alloy composition, contamination levels, and reusability, supporting ISO 17025 certification and chemical accuracy standards.
Develop and refine scrap sorting criteria by evaluating melt loss rates and contamination risk across different scrap types, such as bare clips, stubs, and shreds, and determine effective cost per pound for each.
Map the scrap flow from production to melt by collecting heat-level data across all production lines, identifying inefficiencies, yield loss points, and variability in operator practices to guide melt optimization strategies.
Lead a scrap recovery project to track and quantify melt loss during charging, establish baselines for key commodities, and provide actionable recommendations to reduce loss and improve recovery through better handling and process controls.
Collaborate with melt shop teams across all shifts to monitor process variability, collect data, and implement best practices, building operator trust and maintaining project momentum through consistent communication.
Support casting operations by participating in transfer and turnaround tasks, operating forklifts and fork trucks, and engaging directly with the production team during heat cycles and metal transfers.
Participate in quality assurance initiatives such as round robin testing across multiple spectrometers, coordinating with lab personnel to validate data against certified samples and ensure accuracy across labs.
Gain exposure to the full aluminum casting lifecycle, from scrap charging and melting to alloying, dross removal, and coil shipment, by observing and assisting in day-to-day melt shop operations.
Assist in planning and conducting future recovery trials focused on single scrap types or different alloying sequences to isolate melt loss behaviors and refine charge mix procedures.

Responsibilities

Assist with scrap analysis and alloy verification using spectrometry and other lab tools to support quality and certification standards.
Support melt shop operations by collecting and analyzing production data, identifying yield loss points, and recommending improvements for efficiency and recovery.
Participate in scrap recovery and process optimization projects, including developing sorting criteria and tracking melt loss.
Collaborate with operators, engineers, and lab personnel across shifts to ensure consistency in data collection, quality assurance, and process improvements.
Gain hands-on experience in casting operations, including assisting with heat cycles, transfers, and turnaround tasks.
Contribute to quality assurance efforts by validating lab results, supporting round robin testing, and ensuring compliance with accuracy standards.