Develop, execute, and optimize metallic joining and thermal processing methods in a laboratory environment, including electron-beam and laser welding, vacuum brazing, diffusion bonding, and heat treatment for steels, nickel-base alloys, radioactive alloys, and other structural alloys. Perform metallurgical characterization and joint evaluation using sample preparation, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), hardness testing, and mechanical testing, such as tensile and bend testing, to assess quality and performance.