Metallurgy & Testing Lab Leader

Metallurgy & Testing Lab Leader

Requisition

Job Category:
Engineering & Technology

Contract type:
Permanent

Location:

Waukegan, IL, US

Salary Range: $ to $

The Metallurgist & Testing Laboratory Leader will establish and lead the new Americas & Pacific Metallurgy, Metrology & Testing Laboratory in Waukegan, IL. This foundational role is responsible for building laboratory capability, executing metallurgical and metrology testing, system level bearing testing, developing procedures, coordinating outsourced analyses, and preparing the lab for future expansion. The leader acts as the technical authority while also transitioning into full people leadership as the lab grows.

• Lead the startup of the metallurgy & metrology lab, supervising layout, equipment placement, commissioning, and readiness.
• Perform metallurgical evaluations: microstructure, case depth, decarb, grain structure, and heat‑treatment assessments.
• Conduct macro and micro hardness testing, sample preparation, etching, and method optimization.
• Operate microscopes, hardness testers, surface profilometer, roundness form tester, sample‑prep equipment, cleanliness workflows, and related tools.
• Develop, write, and maintain SOPs, work instructions, and safety procedures.
• Act as the single point of contact for outsourced chemistry, SEM, and mechanical testing.
• Plan, execute, and analyze rolling bearing life endurance tests, component and system level testing under controlled load, speed, temperature, lubrication, and contamination conditions.
• Correlate life test outcomes with metallurgical condition, material cleanliness, and manufacturing parameters.
• Develop, document, and continuously improve bearing and application specific test methods.
• Support automation of test rigs, data acquisition, and analysis where appropriate.
• Build reporting templates and ensure technical results are clear, accurate, and actionable.
• Track lab performance: lead‑time, backlog, throughput, right‑first‑time, and equipment uptime.
• Onboard and eventually lead a team of lab specialists as capabilities expand.
• Collaborate with global labs and internal engineering to align methods and leverage advanced expertise. Ensuring conformity with applicable standards and internal SKF standards.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or similar.
• 5+ years of experience in metallurgical analysis, microstructure evaluation, and hardness testing.
• Hands‑on experience with optical microscopy (Keyence preferred) and hardness systems.
• Strong sample preparation skills: cutting, mounting, grinding, polishing, etching.
• Ability to write procedures, technical reports, and method documentation.
• Experience working in laboratory environments with chemicals, flammables, and EHS protocols.
• Demonstrated leadership, project ownership, or mentoring experience.

• Experience launching or organizing a laboratory or technical function.
• Metrology experience (roundness, geometry, or surface measurement).
• Cleanliness testing experience (particle counting, filtration processes).
• Experience coordinating outsourced testing (chemistry, SEM, mechanical).
• Familiarity with bearing steels, cast iron, heat‑treated components, or related materials.
• Experience with rolling bearing testing (life, endurance, torque, contamination, or cage testing) including hand on testing experience.
• Knowledge of bearing failure modes, tribology, and application driven performance requirements.
• Knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025 or quality system frameworks.

• Phase 1 - Metallurgy and metrology lab operational within 4 months. Phase 2 – Testing lab.
• All core SOPs approved and in use.
• Stable, repeatable workflows for microstructure, hardness, metrology, and cleanliness.
• Effective request intake and outsourcing process in place.
• Lead‑times, backlog, and throughput tracked with improving trends.
• Positive feedback from engineering and quality teams.
• Defined roadmap for expanded capabilities and staffing.

Rest and Relaxation. Enjoy a generous PTO policy and 13 paid holidays.

Work/Life Integration. SKF supports work/life…