What does a metallurgy engineer do?

As a metallurgy engineer, you study metal and how to work with it. You prepare and analyze samples, heat treat samples to see how they respond to stress, and use equipment to test the results of welding and other metalworking processes. Metallurgy engineers also conduct welding audits, provide technical guidance to welders, help maintain company standards, and help test new fabrication processes. Metallurgy engineers are distinct from welders and other metalworking jobs in that metallurgy engineering is more investigative and experimental than manufacturing roles. Most work is done in a laboratory environment, but metallurgy engineers occasionally travel into extreme weather conditions to conduct tests.