Metallurgical Lab Supervisor

Overview

The Large Power Systems Division in Lafayette, IN is looking for a Metallurgical Lab Supervisor. The role involves supervising personnel responsible for preventing quality problems through the development and maintenance of laboratory measurement standards and analysis. Day‑to‑day management of the quality inspection team includes priority setting and problem resolution to support production requirements and providing support for quality initiatives in facility operations, supplier quality, and materials technology.

• Accountable for conformity to global quality processes and reporting to management on QMS process execution.
• Set priorities, establish review schedules for product and equipment quality control, and manage material inspection controls for the lab.
• Oversee the execution of laboratory processes, plans, and tools that support global quality systems (e.g., Cost of Poor Quality, PPAP, Lab quality certifications). Align with CPS principles.
• Contribute to the prevention of product defects, maintain quality standards, and provide proper inspection tools, procedures, and tests.
• Coordinate acceptance criteria for new machine tools, define method acceptance priorities, and manage gage certification and recertification.
• Assist in the disposition of non‑conforming material and support 3rd‑party sorting and training of Metallurgical/NDT methods.
• Provide resources to internal certification teams and interface with facility and corporate coordinators for customer approval of certification.
• Train, motivate, and develop agency lab employees; instruct on quality assessment using inspection gauges, testing tools, and blueprints.
• Report directly to the Material Engineering Technology Manager and manage a work unit of 15 hourly employees, including planning, scheduling, training, monitoring, and performance evaluation.
• Engage with component groups, global quality resources, and facility management to support quality goals such as customer satisfaction, continuous improvement, and cost savings.

• Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering or Materials Science.
• 2 years of relevant experience, OR 7 years of Metallurgical Lab Testing Experience / NDT Experience / Quality Engineering Experience.

• Experience with bandsaw, abrasive cut‑off saw, tensile testing, micro mounting/polishing, grinder burn etching, grain flow etching, hardness, microhardness testing, SEM/EDS, in‑situ metallography, replica creation, strain gaging, microscope usage/calibration, excel data analysis (macros, pivot tables), and surface finish profilometer testing.
• Knowledge of engines and engine components.
• Experience training others.
• Strong interpersonal skills for building cooperative team relationships.
• NDT experience: ultrasonic inspection, magnetic particle inspection, eddy current testing, Barkhausen, X‑ray.

$97,530.00 – $

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Paid time off plan (vacation, holidays, volunteer, etc.)
• 401(k) savings plans
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Health Lifestyle Programs
• Employee Assistance Program
• Voluntary benefits and employee discounts
• Career development
• Incentive bonus
• Disability benefits
• Life Insurance
• Parental leave
• Adoption benefits
• Tuition reimbursement
• These benefits also apply to part‑time employees

This position requires working onsite five days a week.

Relocation is available for this position.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.