Surfaces Engineering - R&D Co-Op

Novelis Global R&T • Kennesaw, GA

13d • Onsite

About The Position

Novelis is a global leader in aluminum recycling and rolling, providing sustainable aluminum solutions for aerospace, automotive, beverage packaging, and specialty markets. This co-op opportunity is with the Surface team, located in Kennesaw, GA, as part of the 2027 co-op program. The role involves approximately 6 months of work starting May 2027, focusing on establishing the connection between lubricant properties and aluminum forming performance through hands-on experiments. This includes applying lubricants, forming aluminum parts, and characterizing aluminum surfaces.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in an accredited bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D. program in materials science, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related technical discipline, with a minimum GPA of 3.5.
• Must be currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer.
• Commitment to following all laboratory safety requirements and procedures.
• Experience with hypothesis-driven experimental design and data analysis.
• Background in materials characterization, surface science or metal forming.
• Attention to detail and ability to work independently.
• Strong teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Graduate students are preferred.
• Experience with aluminum alloys, sheet metal forming, surface characterization, lubricant or coating application methods.
• One or more years of hands-on laboratory research experience.
• Familiarity with Origin, Python, MATLAB or other data analysis tools for organizing experimental data, calculating trends, and summarizing results.

Responsibilities

• Measure key lubricant properties, including lubricity, wetting behavior, and load-bearing performance.
• Apply thin lubricant coatings to aluminum sheet.
• Form aluminum parts using forming equipment.
• Evaluate the surface quality of formed aluminum samples using techniques such as surface topography and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
• Correlate lubricant properties with forming performance to guide future lubricant selection.
• Summarize data and generate reports.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree