Metallurgy Testing Manager

The Metallurgy Testing Manager is responsible for leading the day-to-day operations, technical performance, quality, and growth of the metallurgy testing laboratory. This role oversees a team of metallurgists, laboratory technicians, and testing personnel performing metallurgical analysis and materials characterization for customers across the aerospace, defense, energy, automotive, industrial, and other highly regulated industries.

The Manager ensures testing is performed accurately, efficiently, safely, and in accordance with applicable customer specifications, industry standards, and laboratory quality requirements. The position combines technical metallurgy expertise, laboratory management, customer support, employee leadership, and operational accountability .

Key Responsibilities

Laboratory & Operations Management

• Manage daily operations of the metallurgy and materials testing laboratory.
• Plan and prioritize testing activities to meet customer requirements and delivery commitments.
• Establish staffing, scheduling, workflow, and laboratory capacity requirements.
• Monitor laboratory productivity, turnaround times, utilization, and operating costs.
• Identify opportunities to improve laboratory efficiency, equipment utilization, and overall service delivery.
• Ensure laboratory equipment is properly maintained, calibrated, and available for testing.
• Support capital expenditure planning for new equipment, technology, and laboratory infrastructure.

Metallurgical Testing & Technical Leadership

• Provide technical leadership for metallurgical testing and materials characterization programs.
• Oversee testing and analysis including, as applicable:
• Metallographic preparation and examination
• Microstructural analysis
• Hardness testing
• Grain size analysis
• Inclusion rating
• Phase identification
• Heat treatment evaluation
• Failure analysis
• Coating and surface analysis
• Chemical/material characterization
• Mechanical and physical property testing
• Review test methods, technical reports, and laboratory procedures for accuracy and compliance.
• Provide technical guidance to laboratory personnel on complex or unusual testing requirements.
• Interpret test results and communicate findings to customers and internal stakeholders.
• Assist with development and validation of new testing methods and capabilities.

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure laboratory activities comply with applicable standards, customer specifications, and internal quality procedures.
• Maintain compliance with relevant laboratory accreditation requirements, including ISO/IEC 17025 , where applicable.
• Participate in internal and external audits and support corrective and preventive actions.
• Investigate nonconforming work, customer complaints, and testing discrepancies.
• Ensure proper documentation, traceability, data integrity, and record retention.
• Promote a strong culture of technical rigor, quality, and continuous improvement.

People Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop metallurgists, technicians, and laboratory staff.
• Establish performance expectations and provide regular feedback.
• Identify training and professional development requirements.
• Support recruitment and onboarding of technical personnel.
• Build a high-performing team capable of supporting current and future customer demand.
• Promote a culture focused on safety, quality, teamwork, accountability, and customer service.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Metallurgy, Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering , or a related technical discipline.
• 7+ years of experience in metallurgy, materials testing, failure analysis, or a related laboratory environment.
• Previous experience leading technical personnel or managing laboratory operations.
• Strong understanding of metallurgical principles, materials characterization, and laboratory testing methodologies.
• Experience interpreting metallurgical test results and technical specifications.
• Strong understanding of quality systems and laboratory practices.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.