METALLURGIST

General Job Description:

Responsible for evaluation, testing, and continuous improvement of metallic materials used in components and manufacturing processes. The role focuses on ensuring materials and heat treatment processes meet customer, industry, safety, quality, and performance requirements through metallurgical analysis, failure investigations, process optimisation, and material compliance activities, while ensuring departmental and personal kpi’s are achieved.

The incumbent will support production, quality, supplier development, and customer-facing activities while driving continuous improvement initiatives related to material performance, heat treatment, welding, coating, and corrosion resistance.

Role & Responsibilities:

• Conduct microstructural examinations of metals and alloys using metallographic techniques.
• Analyze material testing including hardness, Contamination test and weld analysis
• Perform and interpret laboratory testing results.
• Evaluate heat treatment processes and verify conformance to specifications.
• Prepare metallurgical reports and technical recommendations.
• Metallurgical Lab support for manufacturing in the areas of heat treat, welding, machining, and assembly, PPAP, etc.
• Metallurgical process engineering for all plant heat treatment processes (e.g., carburizing, quenching, tempering, and induction heat treatment.)
• Includes development of setup procedures and heat treat processes to meet engineering specifications.
• Heat treat process troubleshooting, corrective and preventive actions, including some coordination of furnace maintenance activities.
• Manage all heat treat quality systems and quality controls.
• Involves complete metallographic examination, hardness testing, photo documentation, and non-destructive evaluation.
• Review of in-coming material certifications
• Interpret test results, write reports, and effectively communicate with other plant personnel.
• Keep heart treat and laboratory equipment serviced and calibrated as required.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.
• And ad-hoc requests for quality control/improvements as per discretion of QC manager.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering or Materials Engineering
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in carburizing heat treat, including knowledge of annealing, normalizing, induction heat treat, etc.
• Experience in quality control and process monitoring of heat treat processes.
• Experience with ISO 9000/ IATF 16949
• Must have knowledge and the ability to perform metallographic examinations, hardness testing, and non-destructive evaluations.
• Must be able to interpret results.
• Demonstrated computer proficiency in a Windows environment utilizing Microsoft Office, and other computer software applications.
• Good mechanical aptitude and the ability to read and interpret design prints and specifications.
• Works effectively in a team environment, with people at all levels inside and outside Dana.
• Must be capable of performing duties with limited supervision.
• Self-motivated, willing to accept responsibility.
• Demonstrates effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Must have strong time management and organizational skills.
• Must be able to occasionally work overtime during the week and on weekends when needed and at short notice. (own transport required)
• Able cut and prepare various product samples for analysis

Core Competencies:

Strategy – Ability to think and act in a strategic way.

• Can lead & act consistent with the company’s strategy and values.
• Able to demonstrate strategic problem solving, good decision making and sound judgement.
• Demonstrates sound business and technical acumen.
• Shows a high degree of intellectual rigor during problem solving.

Talent – Ability to build and develop talent.

• Demonstrates ability to develop self and others.
• Shows evidence of continuous learning.
• Demonstrates performance leadership.

Approach – Ability to demonstrate an effective approach to engagement and problem solving.

• Able to build trust and engage others.
• Can build or contribute to an inclusive team environment.
• Demonstrates strong interpersonal communications.
• Exhibits a strong professional presence.

Results – Ability to achieve planned results.

• Demonstrates a strong customer focus through planning and actions.
• Acts with initiative and urgency.
• Shows the ability to be a change leader with adaptability and continuous improvement.
• Ability to hold oneself and others accountable for results.
• Demonstrates the ability to leverage all available resources to achieve results.

Dana Spicer Axle South Africa (Pty) Ltd is committed to an organizational culture that recognizes and values inclusion and diversity. The Company’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. You must be fully eligible to live and work in South Africa to apply.