Metallurgical Engineering Co-Op

Novelis is one of the world leaders in aluminum recycling and rolling and a leading sustainable aluminum solutions provider. Driven by our purpose of shaping a sustainable world together, we work alongside our customers to provide innovative solutions to the aerospace, automotive, beverage packaging and specialty markets. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Novelis has approximately 13,000 employees in 32 operating facilities on 4 continents.

The Novelis Molten Metal Processing team, located in Spokane, has an opportunity to participate in our summer 2027 Co-Op program. The team is seeking a Metallurgical Engineering Co-Op that can join the team for approximately 8 months. This role will report to the Lead Research Scientist and will assist with laboratory experiments, metallurgical sample preparation, materials characterization, and technical documentation. The Co-Op will gain practical experience in aluminum solidification, melting and casting, scrap analysis, and advanced characterization techniques while contributing to projects that support manufacturing excellence, product quality, and Novelis' sustainability goals.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate a personal commitment to safety by following Novelis safety rules, laboratory practices, and equipment operating procedures.
• Support assigned technical projects by following project requirements, documenting progress, and meeting agreed timelines.
• Collaborate with researchers, engineers, technicians, and cross-functional team members to achieve project objectives.
• Assist with small-scale aluminum melting, casting, heat treatment, and solidification experiments in a laboratory environment.
• Prepare metallurgical samples through machining, mounting, grinding, polishing, and etching.
• Support materials characterization using optical microscopy and, as needed, SEM, EBSD, EDS, XRD, XRF, OES, DSC, TGA, and LIBS techniques.
• Plan, organize, and execute laboratory tests according to standard procedures and project needs.
• Document observations, test results, and conclusions in clear technical summaries and reports.
• Assist with sampling and analysis of aluminum molten metal chemistry, inclusions, and hydrogen content.

Minimum qualifications

• Currently pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD degree in metallurgical engineering, materials science, materials engineering.
• Basic laboratory skills and willingness to learn metallurgical sample preparation and characterization techniques.
• Willingness to work safely with aluminum molten metal, melting furnaces, heat treatment ovens, laboratory instruments, salts, and chemicals including acids and bases.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment, communicate clearly, and engage with a variety of technical stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

Preferred qualifications

• Hands-on experience in a metallurgical, materials science, or chemistry laboratory.
• Coursework or experience related to aluminum alloys, solidification, phase transformations, or materials characterization.
• Experience with optical microscopy, SEM/EDS, image analysis, or metallographic sample preparation.
• Interest in aluminum recycling, molten metal processing, manufacturing, and sustainability-focused research.

* Please note that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship

What We Offer:

Novelis' benefits say a lot about how we care for each other. Our employees and their families have many different needs. As a result, our benefits offer choices on many levels and are high in quality, driven by the marketplace, and…