What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lab Technician position at Combined Metals Company?
- Adhere to all safety protocols and use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Follow established quality control procedures and maintain a clean and organized work area. Participate in inter-laboratory proficiency testing and support internal audits.
- Shear cut, mount, and polish metallic samples for microscopic examination. Use abrasive saw, grinders, and polishers to prepare samples according to standard procedures (ASTM, ISO, etc.). Perform etching procedures to reveal microstructures.
- Operate CNC mill for preparation of tensile samples.
- Operate optical microscope to examine microstructures of steel, titanium, nickel and cobalt alloys. Perform grain size analysis, inclusion ratings, and phase analysis. Capture and analyze digital images of microstructures.
- Conduct macro and micro hardness (Rockwell and Vickers) testing
- Operate universal tensile testing machines. Ensure accurate and reliable data collection and interpretation.
- Plan and perform heat treatment of test specimens per specification requirements.
- Perform review of new and existing testing and material specifications.
- Log in and log new and existing jobs.
- Performs Certificate of Conformance review, verifying quality control standards and customer requirements are met and identifying samples that need to be reanalyzed.
- Assist in writing and reviewing internal procedure/work instructions.
- Act as a technical liaison between laboratory and other company teams.
- Assist in preparation and administration of laboratory third party and internal audits.
Required Education and Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Metallurgy, Materials Science, Physics or a related field or equivalent work experience.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in a captive or commercial laboratory, with at least 2 years of experience testing and analyzing steel, titanium, cobalt and/or nickel-base alloys (Preferred).
- Experience performing technical reviews of customer requirements, industry standards and specifications (Preferred).
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Proficiency in mechanical testing techniques (e.g., tensile, hardness, fatigue testing), heat treatment of metallic alloys and microstructure analysis methods (e.g., optical microscopy, grain size measurement, second phase identification).
- Familiarity with laboratory management software and data analysis tools.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel) and experience with LIMS is desirable.
- Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, specifications, and standards (e.g., ASTM, ASME).
- Familiarity with aerospace, automotive, nuclear and oil & gas specifications for metal alloys.
Working Conditions (Including Physical and Mental Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms and talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level is usually moderate to low.
Combined Metals Company is a premier North American processor and distributor of specialty strip and wire built through 50 years of growth and acquisition. Combined Metals is the largest independent processor and distributor of specialty strip and wire in North America. With nine service centers, Combined Metals supports over 3,000 customers in the Aerospace, Defense, Nuclear, Medical, Petrochemical, Oil & Gas, Electrification, Automotive, and Consumer industries. Decades of quality and reliability have made Combined MetalsTM a chosen source in performance applications.