Purpose of the Role
To conduct metallurgical testing, inspection, and analysis of raw materials, induction-hardened components, and finished products, ensuring compliance with applicable standards, specifications, customer requirements, and quality systems.
Key Responsibilities
1. Metallurgical Testing & Analysis
- Perform hardness testing using Brinell, Rockwell, Vickers, and Microhardness testing methods.
- Conduct tensile testing and microstructural examination using an optical microscope.
- Independently prepare metallographic samples through cutting, mounting, grinding, polishing, and etching.
- Examine and interpret microstructures related to heat treatment, forging, and casting processes.
- Conduct routine testing of induction-hardened components.
- Coordinate with external laboratories for polymer testing and other specialised tests.
2. Quality Control & Inspection
- Conduct incoming inspection of raw materials as per approved specifications.
- Carry out in-process inspection of induction-hardened components.
- Verify product compliance with drawings, standards, specifications, and customer requirements.
- Identify nonconformities and support corrective and preventive actions.
- Ensure proper identification and traceability of inspected materials and components.
3. Heat Treatment & Process Support
- Assist in verifying heat-treatment parameters and test results.
- Analyse case hardness, core hardness, Effective Case Depth (ECD), Total Case Depth (TCD), and microstructure of induction-hardened components.
- Support troubleshooting of metallurgical issues associated with heat treatment, cracking, decarburisation, surface defects, and abnormal microstructures.
- Provide metallurgical inputs to Quality, Production, and Process Engineering teams.
4. Documentation & Reporting
- Maintain accurate test records, inspection reports, sample details, and laboratory registers.
- Prepare metallurgical test reports, summaries, and supporting documentation.
- Ensure complete traceability of samples, test results, and inspection records.
- Follow approved laboratory SOPs, work instructions, control plans, and quality-system requirements.
- Maintain records required for internal, customer, and third-party audits.
5. Laboratory Equipment & Maintenance
- Operate and maintain metallurgical laboratory equipment.
- Perform routine calibration checks and support preventive maintenance activities.
- Ensure the proper handling and storage of chemicals, consumables, specimens, and testing accessories.
- Maintain laboratory housekeeping and implement 5S practices.
- Report equipment abnormalities and coordinate timely corrective action.
6. Compliance & Safety
- Follow applicable safety procedures, PPE requirements, and laboratory safety practices.
- Support internal, customer, and third-party audits related to metallurgical testing.
- Ensure compliance with ISO, IATF, customer-specific, and statutory requirements.
- Follow safe methods for handling chemicals, etchants, specimens, and laboratory equipment.
Educational Qualifications
- Diploma in Mechanical or Metallurgical Engineering is mandatory.
- Certification or specialised training in metallurgical testing methods will be an added advantage.
Experience
- Minimum 2 to Maximum 5 years of relevant experience in a metallurgical laboratory environment.
- Experience in automotive, manufacturing, forging, casting, heat treatment, or steel-processing industries will be preferred.
- Hands-on experience in metallographic sample preparation, hardness testing, microstructure examination, and report preparation is required.
- Experience in testing induction-hardened components will be preferred.
Key Skills
- Metallurgical Testing and Analysis
- Metallographic Sample Preparation
- Brinell, Rockwell, Vickers and Microhardness Testing
- Microstructure Examination
- Induction-Hardened Component Testing
- Case and Core Hardness Analysis
- ECD and TCD Measurement
- Heat-Treatment Process Knowledge
- Ferrous Materials and Heat-Treated Steels
- Incoming and In-Process Inspection
- Metallurgical Defect Identification
- ASTM, ISO, BIS and BS Standards
- Laboratory Equipment Maintenance
- Test Report Preparation and Documentation
- ISO and IATF Compliance
- Root-Cause Analysis and CAPA Support
- Laboratory Safety and 5S
