Heat Engineer

Heat Treat Engineer position with HTI. HTI is searching for an experienced Heat Treat Engineer for an opportunity with a Tier-1 Automotive Supplier in the Summerville, SC area. This role supports heat treat processes, drives metallurgical and process optimization, and ensures product quality and performance within a highly automated production environment. This is a full-time, onsite, direct-hire position.

• Full-time, direct-hire engineering role supporting a specialized heat treat operation within a high-volume, automated manufacturing environment
• Opportunity to lead heat treat process ownership, metallurgical analysis, and parameter development
• Direct involvement with a fully automated production line, including troubleshooting and optimization of heat treat results
• Collaboration with internal engineering teams and support from metallurgy experts at overseas headquarters
• Career growth in a technically challenging and highly visible department
• Occasional domestic or international travel as needed

• Strong hands-on experience with industrial heat treat operations (carburizing, hardening, quenching, tempering, or similar processes)
• Understanding of metallurgical principles, material transformation, hardness curves, and heat treat failure modes
• Ability to adjust and optimize heat treat parameters to achieve consistent mechanical properties
• Prior exposure to automated manufacturing environments
• Experience analyzing variation and implementing structured problem-solving (A3, 5Y, 8D, Ishikawa)
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Metallurgy, or related field preferred
• Associate’s degree may be considered if heat treat expertise is strong
• Ability to read and interpret technical specifications, process documentation, and quality requirements
• Strong communication skills; must be able to articulate decisions and collaborate cross-functionally
• General PLC literacy (Siemens) helpful but not required for programming

• Own the heat treat process for designated products and production areas
• Monitor part hardness, case depth, microstructure, and other key metallurgical outputs
• Analyze process deviations and perform root-cause investigations related to heat treat failures
• Adjust machine parameters and work with remote metallurgy experts when needed
• Develop, maintain, and optimize heat treat recipes to support new product launches and ongoing production
• Review quality data, heat treat reports, and process capability results to drive improvements
  
  Support documentation development including PFMEAs, process flows, and work instructions related to heat treat operations
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including machining, quality, maintenance, and automation
• Support plant-wide compliance with relevant standards (IATF 16949, ISO 14001, VDA)
• Participate in new equipment launch activities and ensure heat treat readiness
• Provide technical guidance to operators and engineering teammates

• Mid-Senior level

• Full-time

• Staffing and Recruiting