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Metallurgical Engineer Intern Jobs in California

2026 Fall Engineering Intern

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$19.75 - $25.50/hr

2026 Fall Engineering Intern Location: [On-site -- San Francisco] · Term: Fall 2026 (Sept-Dec ... Metallurgy or a related engineering field (or equivalent hands-on experience) * Curious and ...

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Metallurgical Engineer Intern information

What does a metallurgical engineer intern do?

A Metallurgical Engineer Intern assists in the study and evaluation of the properties and behaviors of metals and alloys. Their work often involves conducting laboratory tests, analyzing materials, supporting research projects, and preparing technical reports. Interns may also help with quality control, failure analysis, and process optimization under the supervision of experienced metallurgical engineers. This experience provides practical knowledge and exposure to real-world challenges in the field of metallurgy.

What types of projects and tasks can a metallurgical engineer intern expect to work on during their internship?

As a Metallurgical Engineer Intern, you can expect to work on a variety of hands-on and analytical projects such as assisting with materials testing, analyzing metallurgical failures, supporting process improvements in manufacturing, and preparing technical reports. Interns often collaborate with senior engineers and cross-functional teams in quality control, research and development, or production departments. You may also have the opportunity to use laboratory equipment for sample preparation and testing, learn about metallurgical software, and observe large-scale industrial processes. This exposure helps interns build practical skills, understand industry standards, and develop professional relationships that can support future career growth.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a metallurgical engineer intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Metallurgical Engineer Intern, you need foundational knowledge in materials science, metallurgy, and engineering principles, typically supported by progress toward a relevant bachelor's degree. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, metallurgical testing methods, and software such as AutoCAD or MATLAB is often required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective teamwork skills help interns excel in both research and practical applications. These skills ensure accurate data analysis, safe laboratory practices, and valuable contributions to engineering projects.

What is the difference between Metallurgical Engineer Intern vs Metallurgical Engineer?

AspectMetallurgical Engineer InternMetallurgical Engineer
CredentialsTypically pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree in metallurgical engineering or related fieldBachelor's degree required; Professional Engineer (PE) license may be preferred
Work EnvironmentInternship settings, often in labs or on-site at manufacturing or mining facilitiesFull-time professional roles in research, development, production, or quality control
Employer & Industry UsageInternship programs in manufacturing, mining, or materials companiesEstablished companies in metals production, mining, or materials engineering

The main difference between a Metallurgical Engineer Intern and a Metallurgical Engineer is experience and responsibility level. Interns are students gaining practical experience, while engineers are full-time professionals with greater responsibilities in metallurgical processes and project management.

What are the most commonly searched types of Metallurgical Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Metallurgical Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Metallurgical Engineer Intern jobs?

Cities in California with the most Metallurgical Engineer Intern job openings:

Infographic showing various Metallurgical Engineer Intern job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 27% Internship, 47% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 97% In-person, and 3% Hybrid job distribution.

Metallurgical Engineering Intern

Solcoa Industries

Alameda, CA • On-site

$35 - $45/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago


Job description

Making the Metals Powering the World
Solcoa is building the next generation of American metalmaking, starting with rare earths - the metals of power and motion. We've developed a new chemistry that converts rare earth oxides into high-purity metals - the materials inside every EV, fighter jet, wind turbine, and data center - cleaner, cheaper, and faster than any conventional process. Now we're scaling it to thousands of tonnes of annual production.
The Role - Metallurgical Engineering Intern
Join our process team and help turn rare earth magnet waste into high-purity metals. You'll support our reactor operations, assist with alloy production, and keep our documentation tight-working with metallurgists, chemists, and technicians to move quickly from lab scale to production.
What You'll Do
  • Assist with high-temperature and high-vacuum reactor operations.
  • Help characterize feed materials and products using ICP-OES, SEM-EDS, LECO O/N.
  • Run furnace cycles, collect process data, and summarize results to inform design iterations
  • Maintain organized logs of process parameters, equipment conditions, and sample tracking
  • Support equipment maintenance: vacuum systems, induction coils, thermocouples, and gas handling
  • Contribute to safety-first culture and continuous improvement on the facility floor.

What You Bring
Required
  • Pursuing a BS/MS in Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field
  • Exposure to pyrometallurgy, electrometallurgy, or high-temperature processing (coursework or labs).
  • Hands-on experience from labs, foundry work, internships, or personal projects (furnaces, casting, heat treatment)
  • Detail-oriented, disciplined documentation, and reliable follow-through
  • Comfortable in a fast-paced, hardware-centric environment and willing to get your hands dirty
  • On-site availability; able to start soon
Preferred
  • Experience with vacuum or inert-atmosphere furnace operation
  • Familiarity with rare-earth metallurgy, molten salt electrolysis, or reactive metal processing
  • Basic thermodynamic analysis skills (Ellingham diagrams, phase diagrams, FactSage/HSC a plus)
  • Welding or basic machining experience (mill/lathe)
  • Python/MATLAB for data analysis
Compensation & Benefits
  • Competitive compensation.
  • Insurance provided.
  • Support relocating to the Bay Area.
  • Company-provided lunch daily.
  • J1 Visa sponsorship available if needed.