Metallurgist at Wolverine Advanced Materials – Blacksburg, Virginia

About Wolverine Advanced Materials

Wolverine Advanced Materials produces and sells performance-critical, specialty elastomer-coated metals used in gaskets for automotive & industrial applications; automotive brake noise insulators and NVH (noise, vibration & harshness) damping solutions for automotive.

Wolverine employs approximately 600 people worldwide and has manufacturing operations in Virginia, Florida, Germany, and China, as well as sales & technical offices in Michigan, Germany, Japan, China, Brazil, and India.

Wolverine Advanced Materials, an entity of Center Rock Capital, is a leading developer and manufacturer of high-performance materials. Our core competency is in performance-critical, specialty elastomer–coated metals that offer damping and seal-ability solutions in the automotive and gasket industries.

Center Rock Capital is a company where they see potential where others may not look; and as a team we can find the right solution to the right challenge.

For more information, visit centerrockcp.com or wamglobal.com.

About the role

Wolverine Advanced Materials (WAM) is seeking a highly experienced Metallurgist to support and strengthen our metal raw material supply base. This role is critical to ensuring the quality, consistency, and performance of metallic coils used in elastomer-coated products across multiple applications.

The Metallurgist will act as the technical authority for metallic materials, working closely with suppliers, internal manufacturing teams, and customers to resolve complex quality issues, develop new suppliers, and support new product and process development. The position requires deep expertise in carbon steel, galvanized steel, stainless steel, and aluminum, particularly in coil form and downstream coating/lamination processes.

This position is an on-site position in Blacksburg, VA.

What you'll do

Supplier Quality & Problem Solving

Lead technical investigations and root cause analysis related to metal-related quality issues, including but not limited to:Galvanization and coating layer defects (thickness variation, adhesion, flaking, surface appearance)Mechanical properties out of specification (yield strength, tensile strength, elongation, hardness)Surface defects (scratches, pits, roll marks, inclusions, stains)Flatness, camber, edge wave, crossbow, and deformation issuesWork directly with steel mills, galvanizers, and metal service centers to:Define root causes using metallurgical principles and data-driven methodsReview chemical composition, microstructure, processing routes, and heat treatmentsEstablish corrective and preventive actions (8D, PDCA, A3, etc.)Support supplier audits and technical assessments with a focus on metallurgical capability and process controlAct as WAM’s subject-matter expert during customer and or supplier escalations related to metal raw materials

Supplier Development & Qualification

Lead or support the development and qualification of new metal suppliers for:Carbon steelGalvanized steelStainless steelAluminumDefine technical requirements for raw materials, including:Chemical compositionMechanical propertiesSurface and flatness criteriaCoating requirements (e.g., zinc coating type and mass)Support supplier trials, PPAP/APQP activities, and industrialization of new sourcesCollaborate with Purchasing, R&D, Quality, and Operations to reduce supply risk and improve robustness of the supply chain

Internal Technical Support, Process Interface & Product Development

· Provide metallurgical expertise and hands-on technical support to manufacturing, quality, and engineering teams in areas including:

Coil handling, slitting, forming, and downstream processingInteraction between metallic substrates and elastomer coating processesImpact of metal properties on coating adhesion, functional performance, and long-term durability

· Support new product development activities by defining material requirements, supporting trials, and validating metal substrate performance

· Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives aimed at reducing scrap, rework, and cost of poor quality related to metal raw materials

· Contribute to the development, review, and improvement of material and process specifications, ensuring alignment between design intent, supplier capability, and manufacturing reality

· Perform metallurgical testing, data analysis, and failure investigations; interpret results and drive clear technical conclusions

· Define, implement, and improve metallurgical testing methods, inspection techniques, and laboratory equipment as required

Documentation, Standards & Knowledge Management

Interpret and apply relevant standards and specifications (ASTM, ISO, DIN, SAE, customer-specific specs)Lead creation and maintenance of:Material specificationsAcceptance criteriaInspection and testing methods and equipmentDocument findings, conclusions, and technical recommendations clearly for internal and external stakeholders

The above is intended to describe the general content of, and the requirements for, the performance of this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.

Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Science, or related fieldMaster’s degree in the area preferred

Experience

10+ years of experience in metallurgical engineering, preferably in:Steel mills, galvanizing operations, or metal processingAutomotive, industrial, or coated-metal applicationsDemonstrated experience working with metal coils and downstream processesStrong background in supplier-facing technical roles (supplier quality, materials engineering, or process engineering)

Technical Knowledge & Skills

In-depth knowledge of:Carbon steel, galvanized steel, stainless steel, and aluminum metallurgyGalvanization processes (hot-dip, coating weight, adhesion mechanisms)Mechanical properties and testing methodsMicrostructure, heat treatment, and forming behaviorStrong understanding of:Coil manufacturing, rolling, annealing, galvanizing, and slittingCommon metal defects and their metallurgical root causesInteraction between metal substrates and elastomer or polymer coatingsFamiliarity with automotive quality systems (IATF 16949, APQP, PPAP)Proficiency in structured problem-solving methodologies (8D, PDCA, A3)

Travel Requirements

Domestic and international travel as required to support suppliers and WAM facilities (estimated 30%)

**Wolverine Advanced Materials is an Equal Employment Opportunity Company