Metallurgical Lab Supervisor
Caterpillar

Career Area:
Manufacturing

Job Description:

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The Large Power Systems Division in Lafayette, IN has an opening for a Metallurgical Lab Supervisor. In this role you will supervise personnel responsible for preventing quality problems through the development and maintenance of laboratory measurement standards and laboratory analysis. Day to day management of quality inspection team includes priority setting and problem resolution to support production requirements. Primary responsibility is to provide support for quality initiatives in facility operations, supplier quality, and materials technology. Position will ensure conformity to global quality processes defined in the Caterpillar Quality Management System (QMS), day to day management of metallurgical resources, and ensure resources are trained and competent in all aspects of Metallurgical & NDT Analysis

Job Duties/Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

The incumbent is accountable for conformity to global quality processes and reporting to management on QMS process execution. The role is responsible for setting priorities, establishing review schedules for product and equipment quality control, managing material inspection controls for the lab.

The incumbent in this position is responsible for overseeing the execution of laboratory processes, plans and tools that support global quality systems or related processes i.e. Cost of Poor Quality, PPAP, Lab quality certifications (CQMS), etc. The incumbent must also ensure alignment to CPS (Caterpillar Production System) principles.

The goal of quality assurance is to contribute to the prevention of product defects by eliminating the cause and maintaining quality standards by providing proper inspection gaging tools, procedures and tests. Incumbent and staff are responsible from the planning stage of the lab where proper tooling, machines and inspection equipment are essential to produce desired quality. Incumbent and staff will ensure their customers investigations are conducted per the instructions created by the Metallurgical Engineers in the Lab.

Incumbent is responsible for coordinating acceptance criteria used for conducting capability studies of new machine tools being purchased from suppliers or produced locally. Defines method acceptance criteria priorities, alternative equipment and gage certification and recertification in conjunction with the gage lab.

Responsible for procedures such as machine capability studies and inspection practices in order to measure plant quality levels, to cause improvement and to reduce costs to the business, including preventing warranty expenses.

Incumbent and staff assist in the proper dispositioning of non-conforming material through analysis of defects and identification of cause. Takes necessary steps to isolate defective material and to ensure uninterrupted shipments to customers if possible. Considerations include scrap, rework or deviation. Incumbent ensures proper procedures are adhered to in "fitness for use" decisions. Incumbent will also support 3rd party sorts and 3rd party training of Metallurgical/NDT methods to ensure sorts are conducted to print specifications.

Incumbent is responsible for assisting and providing resources to internal certification teams. Interfaces with other facility and corporate coordinators and plant contacts for customer/corporate approval of certification.

The incumbent is responsible for the training, motivation and development of agency lab employees. This position instructs personnel on how to determine the quality of work with the aids of inspection gauges, Metallurgical Testing tools, and blueprints. The incumbent provides counsel and advice to employees concerning assigned work problems, writes commendations for outstanding for agency employees and delivers to agency leadership. These are the tools used by the incumbent to motivate people. Personal contact is made daily with each employee relating to quality problems, safety, housekeeping, metallurgical testing, test plans, priorities, achieving desired data for Metallurgical Engineers, ensuring equipment maintenance, etc.

The position reports directly to Material Engineering Technology Manager and is responsible for quality associated with the execution of the Metallurgical Laboratory and NDT Testing including auditing and certification. The position directs a work unit of 15 agency hourly employees where planning, scheduling, training, monitoring, and reviewing work of subordinates is required, and is responsible for all personnel issues and performance evaluation of subordinates. They will engage with Component Groups, Global Quality resources and Facility Management.

Typical internal customers include various contacts in a single geographic area. External contacts include various customers and vendors throughout worldwide markets. The position is challenged to quickly and correctly identify problems that may not be obvious. The incumbent solves problems by determining the best course of action, within departmental guidelines, from many existing solutions. The incumbent is free to determine the best way to complete job assignments in order to achieve desired results. Work is reviewed after completion, except in the most complex or high impact situations. Impacts key quality goals including Customer Satisfaction, Continuous Improvement, Timeliness, Accuracy, Efficiency, Cost Savings, Process Quality, Part Quality, Internal Quality Certification, Vendor Certification, etc.

Basic Qualifications:

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

Top Candidates will also have:

• Experience with: Bandsaw usage, Abrasive Cut-off Saw usage, Tensile Testing, Micro Mounting/Polishing, Grinder Burn Etching, Grain Flow Etching, Hardness, Microhardness Testing, SEM/EDS experience, In-situ metallography, Replica creation, strain gaging, microscope usage/calibration, strong with excel (data analysis, Macros, pivot tables, etc) and surface finish profilometer testing
  
• Knowledge of Engines and Engine Components
  
• Experience training others
  
• Good interpersonal skills are required to develop a cooperative team relationship with others inside and outside the department
  
• NDT Experience: Ultrasonic Inspection and Set-up, Magnetic Particle Inspection, Eddy Current Testing, Barkhausen, X-Ray
  

Summary Pay Range:
$97,530.00 - $146,290.00

Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.

Benefits:

Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.

• 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.

Posting Dates:
April 7, 2026 - April 19, 2026

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.

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