Metallurgist Engineer

McKeesport, PA - Salary Range 115-150k (relocation offered)

Job Brief

The ideal candidate will bring deep, hands-on metallurgical expertise in pipe manufacturing, along with strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills. This is a senior technical role for someone who has spent roughly a decade building metallurgical expertise and is ready to serve as a technical authority, mentor, and driver of continuous improvement.

This position is responsible for defining metallurgical requirements for orders, providing senior-level technical support to internal teams and external customers, leading root cause investigations, and mentoring junior metallurgical and quality staff. This position reports’ directly to the General Manager.

Must Have Duties

• Define and oversee metallurgical requirements for plate and finished pipe orders, reviewing mechanical and chemical property data against API 5L, ASME, ASTM, and customer technical specifications.
• Analyze coil/plate and finished pipe mechanical and chemical properties (tensile, Charpy V-notch impact, hardness, bend, CTOD) and microstructure, including weld and heat-affected zone (HAZ) evaluation.
• Evaluate and optimize submerged arc welding (SAW), flux/wire chemistry, heat input, preheat/interpass temperature, and post-weld heat treatment — for seam weld mechanical and metallurgical performance.
• Represent the company in customer technical meetings, quality reviews, and code interpretation discussions.

Nice to Have Duties

• Serve as senior technical liaison between plate/consumable vendors and customers on metallurgical and weld-quality matters.
• Lead root cause investigations of production, weld, and NDT-related nonconformances and drive corrective and preventive actions to closure.
• Lead development and qualification of Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) and Procedure Qualification Records (PQR) per API 1104 and ASME Section IX.
• Conduct on-site audits of coil/plate suppliers, welding consumable vendors; reviewing production and testing practices.
• Mentor and train junior metallurgists, quality technicians; help build technical bench strength within the department.
• Represent the company in customer technical meetings, quality reviews, and code interpretation discussions.
• Maintain and update standard operating procedures, work instructions, and quality manual sections related to metallurgy, welding, and NDT.

Must Have Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering, materials science, or a related field (Master's a plus).
• 10+ years of progressive experience in metallurgy within steel coil/plate, pipe, or heavy industrial manufacturing, with direct experience in either High-Frequency Welded (HFW) or Submerged Arc Welded Longitudinal (SAWL). Pipe production is strongly preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of coil/plate steel metallurgy, weld metal chemistry, and heat-affected zone (HAZ) behavior.
• Strong command of applicable industry codes and standards: API 5L, API 2B, API 1104, ASME Section IX, relevant ASTM standards, and customer-specific specifications.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, including experience presenting to customers and senior leadership.

Nice to have Qualifications

• Working knowledge of NDT methods — Radiographic Testing (RT/X-ray), Ultrasonic Testing (UT), Magnetic Particle Testing (MT), and Liquid Penetrant Testing (PT); ASNT NDT Level II or III certification (or equivalent) preferred.
• Familiarity with Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) responsibilities and demonstrated ability to collaborate closely with welding engineering and NDT teams.
• Strong command of applicable industry codes and standards: API 5L, API 2B, API 1104, ASME Section IX, relevant ASTM standards, and customer-specific specifications.
• Demonstrated experience leading root cause / failure analysis investigations and corrective action programs.
• Proven leadership and mentoring ability, including experience training or informally supervising junior technical staff.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, including experience presenting to customers and senior leadership.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects in a fast-paced, deadline-driven production environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); familiarity with statistical/quality tools (e.g., Minitab, SPC) is a plus.