Material Testing Manager (Aerospace)
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The Material Testing Manager (Aerospace) is responsible for leading a metallurgical laboratory that performs materials characterization, failure analysis, and mechanical testing. This role oversees laboratory operations, technical staff, equipment, quality systems, and customer projects to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant metallurgical evaluations. The manager ensures testing meets industry standards and regulatory requirements while supporting engineering, manufacturing, and customer needs.
Key Responsibilities
Laboratory Operations:
- Manage daily operations of the metallurgical testing laboratory including sample intake, testing, reporting, and turnaround times.
- Oversee metallurgical evaluations such as microstructure analysis, hardness testing, grain size determination, and coating analysis.
- Ensure proper operation, calibration, and maintenance of laboratory equipment (microscopes, hardness testers, polishing/sectioning equipment, SEM/EDS where applicable).Technical Leadership
- Provide expert guidance in metallurgy, materials characterization, and failure analysis.
- Review and approve metallurgical reports and technical conclusions.
- Support root cause investigations involving material failures, heat treatment issues, corrosion, and manufacturing defects.
- Develop new test methods and capabilities based on industry or client needs.
Quality & Compliance:
- Ensure laboratory compliance with standards such as:**ISO / ISO/IEC 17025ASTM InternationalSAE International
- Nadcap (if aerospace related)
- Maintain quality procedures, work instructions, and documentation.
- Support internal and external audits and accreditation activities.
Team Management:
Lead, mentor, and develop metallurgists, lab technicians, and materials engineers.
Assign projects, monitor workloads, and ensure staff training and certification.
Recruit and develop talent within the laboratory.
Customer & Project Support:
Interface with customers, engineering teams, and program managers to define testing requirements.
Prepare technical proposals, cost estimates, and timelines.
Present metallurgical findings to clients and internal stakeholders.
Business & Strategic Development:
Identify opportunities to expand laboratory capabilities and services.
Support sales teams with technical expertise during client engagements.
Manage laboratory budgets, equipment investments, and operational metrics.
Qualifications:
- EducationBachelor's or Master's degree in Metallurgical Engineering
- Materials Science, or related discipline.
- Experience8–12+ years in metallurgical or materials testing environments.
- Experience with laboratory management or technical leadership.
- Background in failure analysis, microstructural evaluation, and mechanical testing.
- Technical Skills
- Metallography preparation and analysis
- Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy
- Hardness testing (Rockwell, Vickers, Knoop)
- Heat treatment evaluation
- Corrosion and coating analysis
- Materials standards and specifications (ASTM, AMS, MIL)
- Leadership SkillsStrong project management and team leadership capabilities
- Excellent technical writing and reporting skills
- Customer-facing communication and problem-solving
- Preferred Experience
- Aerospace or defense materials testing
- Accreditation environments such as Nadcap or ISO/IEC 17025 Experience supporting industries such as aerospace, automotive, medical devices, or energy.