Research Development Intern Jobs in Fort Wayne, IN

What Does Steel Dynamics Do?

Steel Dynamics is a leading industrial metals solutions company that produces high-quality steel products primarily from recycled scrap. Operating through a circular manufacturing model, the company manufactures a wide range of steel products including flat roll, structural, and long products for industries such as construction, automotive, energy, and manufacturing. In addition to steel production, Steel Dynamics operates metals recycling facilities, steel fabrication plants, and aluminum production operations, serving customers across North America with a focus on innovation, efficiency, and sustainability.

What Makes This Internship Different?Steel Dynamics' metallurgy internships stand apart from others in the market because they provide a true balance of office-based engineering work and hands-on industrial experience. Interns are not confined to observing from a distance; instead, they actively work alongside operators and maintenance teams on the production floor, applying engineering principles directly to equipment, systems, and processes. This immersive approach gives interns the opportunity to design solutions, test them in real-world conditions, and see the immediate impact of their work. At SDI, metallurgy is not limited to research and development, it is a dynamic combination of technical analysis and practical application that exposes interns to the full scope of how metallurgy drives production success.

Internship Location

This internship is located at the Steel Dynamics Structural & Rail Division located in Columbia City, Indiana, in the Melt Department. This internship will take place during Summer 2027.

Internship Benefits

• Furnished Housing Free of Cost
  • Provided for interns living more than 50 miles from their work site, including essential furnishings to ensure a comfortable stay during the internship.
• 401(k) & Company Match
  • Eligibility to participate in the company 401(k) plan with a 10-50% company match that vests immediately.
• Employee Discounts
  • Access to discounts on hotels, vehicles, and other goods and services through Steel Dynamics' nationwide partner network.
• Employee Assistance Program
  • Up to five free visits per issue, per year for counseling, legal advice, financial guidance, and other daily living resources.
• Intern Extravaganza
  • A two-day event at company headquarters featuring facility tours, networking with company leaders, cultural immersion, and connecting with other interns from across the country.
• Competitive Pay
  • Competitive hourly wages for all internship positions, rewarding the value interns bring to the company.

What Are My Responsibilities as a Metallurgy Intern at Steel Dynamics?

• Assist with scrap analysis and alloy verification using spectrometry and other lab tools to support quality and certification standards.
• Support melt shop operations by collecting and analyzing production data, identifying yield loss points, and recommending improvements for efficiency and recovery.
• Participate in scrap recovery and process optimization projects, including developing sorting criteria and tracking melt loss.
• Collaborate with operators, engineers, and lab personnel across shifts to ensure consistency in data collection, quality assurance, and process improvements.
• Gain hands-on experience in melting operations, including assisting with heat cycles, transfers, and turnaround tasks.
• Contribute to quality assurance efforts by validating lab results, supporting round robin testing, and ensuring compliance with accuracy standards.

What Qualifications Do I Need?

• Candidates should be enrolled in a Bachelor's degree program in Materials Science or Engineering
• Preferred GPA of at least 2.7

Examples of Projects Steel Dynamics Metallurgy Interns Have Completed

• Analyze aluminum scrap using optical emission spectrometry (OES) to determine alloy composition, contamination levels, and reusability, supporting ISO 17025 certification and chemical accuracy standards.
• Develop and refine scrap sorting criteria by evaluating melt loss rates and contamination risk across different scrap types, such as bare clips, stubs, and shreds, and determine effective cost per pound for each.
• Map the scrap flow from production to melt by collecting heat-level data across all production lines, identifying inefficiencies, yield loss points, and variability in operator practices to guide melt optimization strategies.
• Lead a scrap recovery project to track and quantify melt loss during charging, establish baselines for key commodities, and provide actionable recommendations to reduce loss and improve recovery through better handling and process controls.
• Collaborate with melt shop teams across all shifts to monitor process variability, collect data, and implement best practices, building operator trust and maintaining project momentum through consistent communication.
• Support casting operations by participating in transfer and turnaround tasks, operating forklifts and fork trucks, and engaging directly with the production team during heat cycles and metal transfers.
• Participate in quality assurance initiatives such as round robin testing across multiple spectrometers, coordinating with lab personnel to validate data against certified samples and ensure accuracy across labs.
• Gain exposure to the full aluminum casting lifecycle, from scrap charging and melting to alloying, dross removal, and coil shipment, by observing and assisting in day-to-day melt shop operations.
• Assist in planning and conducting future recovery trials focused on single scrap types or different alloying sequences to isolate melt loss behaviors and refine charge mix procedures.

Steel Dynamics, Inc., and all affiliated entities are equal opportunity employers.