Metallurgy Technician

The Role 

Seurat is seeking a Metallurgy Technician to support production qualification, routine material verification, and process-development activities for metal components manufactured using Seurat's Area Printing process. This hands-on laboratory role prepares and analyzes metallographic samples, generates accurate and traceable test results, maintains laboratory equipment, and quickly escalates results that may affect production quality, machine qualification, or customer requirements. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Maintain sample identity and traceability from build plate and part location through preparation, testing, imaging, data entry, and final reporting. 

• Prepare metallographic specimens through sectioning, mounting, grinding, polishing, and etching using controlled, repeatable methods. 

• Perform optical microscopy and image analysis to document porosity, inclusions, cracks, melt-pool features, grain structure, preparation artifacts, and other material characteristics. 

• Perform density measurements and report results according to approved methods and acceptance criteria. 

• Measure surface texture using contact or optical profilometry, distinguishing profile parameters such as Ra and Rz from areal parameters such as Sa. 

• Conduct hardness testing using Vickers, Rockwell, or microhardness methods, as applicable. 

• Prepare specimens and coordinate testing for tensile, fatigue, chemical-composition, and dimensional evaluations. 

• Safely handle, sample, and characterize metal powders, including particle-size distribution, morphology, flowability, apparent density, and contamination evaluations. 

• Execute recurring production-quality tests according to controlled procedures and required turnaround times. 

• Support qualification of Area Printing machines, materials, process parameter sets, heat treatments, and finishing operations. 

• Enter, review, and organize test data in laboratory and quality systems, inspection reports, travelers, and qualification documentation. 

• Compare results with specifications and acceptance criteria; immediately escalate suspected defects, out-of-specification results, preparation artifacts, or equipment problems. 

• Assist metallurgy, process, quality, and manufacturing engineers with nonconformance review, root-cause investigations, corrective actions, and disposition of material. 

• Maintain equipment calibration status, consumables, laboratory cleanliness, chemical inventories, and preventive-maintenance records. 

• Follow all environmental, health, safety, quality, and document-control requirements. 

Required Qualifications 

• Associate degree, technical diploma, or equivalent practical experience in metallurgy, materials science, manufacturing, welding, or a related discipline. 

• Hands-on experience in a metallurgical, materials-testing, manufacturing, or quality laboratory. 

• Demonstrated ability to prepare metallographic specimens and obtain consistent, artifact-free surfaces for evaluation. 

• Working knowledge of optical microscopy and the ability to recognize both material features and preparation artifacts. 

• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, controlled work instructions, test methods, material specifications, and acceptance criteria. 

• Ability to operate precision measurement and laboratory equipment with consistent technique. 

• Strong attention to detail, sample-control discipline, and accurate documentation practices. 

• Basic proficiency with spreadsheets and laboratory, manufacturing, or quality data-entry systems. 

• Ability to work independently, manage routine testing priorities, and escalate issues appropriately while following controlled procedures and safety requirements. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience with laser powder bed fusion, laser beam powder bed fusion of metals, or another metal additive-manufacturing process. 

• Experience testing stainless steels, particularly 316L or 17-4PH. Experience with aluminum, titanium, nickel superalloys, tool steels, copper alloys, or other additive-manufacturing materials is also valuable. 

• Familiarity with applicable ASTM, ISO, AMS, ASME, or Nadcap requirements. 

• Experience with image-analysis software, scanning electron microscopy, or energy-dispersive spectroscopy. 

• Familiarity with tensile testing, heat treatment, hot isostatic pressing, machining, and surface-finishing processes. 

• Experience working within an ISO 9001, AS9100, or ISO/IEC 17025 quality system. 

Physical and Work Environment Requirements 

• Ability, with or without reasonable accommodation, to stand, kneel, crouch, bend, and perform detailed hands-on laboratory work for extended periods. 

• Ability, with or without reasonable accommodation, to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and occasionally move heavier equipment with appropriate assistance or material-handling equipment. 

• Ability to work safely in a metal additive-manufacturing environment that may include metal powders, laboratory chemicals, heated equipment, saws, grinders, polishers, furnaces, and related machinery. 

• Ability to complete required hazardous-material, respiratory-protection, and equipment-safety training.