Kaiser Aluminum is known around the world for its superior quality. Our secret is what we put into it—innovative thinking, industry-leading reliability, and a world-class commitment to customer service. In short, the same qualities we look for in our people. We are looking for a Process Metallurgist to join Kaiser Aluminum in Richland, Washington!
The Process Metallurgist will focus on achieving best-in-class products in seamless extrusions by enhancing quality assurance, driving continuous improvement, and building a proactive quality culture.
This is an onsite position. At this time, we are not able to offer visa sponsorship for this role, either now or in the future. Therefore, we cannot move forward with candidates who would require sponsorship and or are on (e.g., H-1B, F-1, STEM OPT, OPT) visas.
- Salary range $90,000-$120,000 per year depending on experience
- High deductible medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, including spouse and children (modest payroll deductions)
- 10 paid holidays per year
- Vacation - 3 weeks
- Supplemental leave (used in conjunction with Washington Paid Family & Medical Leave)
- 401K with matching company funds
- Plant bonus
- Tuition reimbursement
Key Responsibilities:
- Responsible for the Quality Management System which includes management of document control, internal/external auditing, and work procedures, etc.
- Manage Quality Laboratory which includes tensile testing, hardness testing, and various customer requirements.
- Maintain ISO 9001 certification.
- Manage plant pyrometry program which includes temperature uniformity surveys (TUS), system accuracy test (SAT), and calibrations.
- Manage vital few/near-miss activities and facilitate annual product liability/corporate audits.
- Manage plant calibration program.
- Key member for plant continuous improvement and key support for business initiatives such as TTIs and Capital Planning/project management.
- Tracking of KPIs for weekly/monthly reporting.
- Investigate nonconformances and use lean six-sigma tools for corrective action.
- Develop and lead quality training to operational teams.
- Develop and execute trials to optimize product quality and reduce cost.
- Support commercial organization with new product inquiries through product and process capability assessments.
- Ensure compliance to applicable industry and customer requirements.
- Primary technical contact for customers which includes management of customer issues, project lead for trials, and oversight of product reporting via certified test reports.
- Key support for ERP functions and integration with shop floor reporting system.
- Develop, approve, and manage SMART plans that define project goals.
- Ensure compliance with corporate standards for product liability and export control.
- Support plant safety initiatives through active involvement in the safety process.
Requirements:
- Bachelor of Science or equivalent in Metallurgy, Materials, or related engineering field preferred.
- Minimum of three (3) years of experience as a metallurgist or process engineer.
- Aluminum industry experience preferred.
- Experience in LEAN manufacturing and statistical problem-solving.
- Proven ability to work in teams in a low supervision environment while successfully meeting goals.
- Experience managing technical projects/initiatives in a manufacturing environment.
- Proficient in data acquisition, analysis, and report writing.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office products (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, One Drive).
- Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) and organizational skills.
We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered based on job-related qualifications and abilities. There shall be no discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran, or disability status.
About Kaiser Aluminum: Talented people join our team because we are a company passionate about environmental sustainability, employee growth, contributing back to our communities and championing an inclusive culture.
Skills Required
- Bachelor of Science or equivalent in Metallurgy, Materials, or a related engineering field
- Minimum of three years of experience as a metallurgist or process engineer
- Experience in the aluminum industry
- Experience in Lean manufacturing and statistical problem-solving
- Ability to work in teams in a low-supervision environment while meeting goals
- Experience managing technical projects or initiatives in a manufacturing environment
- Proficiency in data acquisition, analysis, and report writing
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, including Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and OneDrive
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong organizational skills
Kaiser Aluminum Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Kaiser Aluminum and has not been reviewed or approved by Kaiser Aluminum.
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Strong & Reliable Incentives — Incentive earnings through monthly profit-sharing/bonuses and abundant overtime are highlighted as meaningful additions to base pay. Feedback suggests this makes it possible to earn a substantial income when extra hours are available.
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Healthcare Strength — Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage is offered to employees working 30+ hours, alongside wellness programs, an EAP, and Health Advocate support. First‑day eligibility for many benefits reinforces perceived breadth of core health offerings.
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Retirement Support — 401(k) savings with company matching is available, with vesting beginning quickly in many cases. Union settings at some facilities also reference pension features that strengthen long‑term retirement security.
Kaiser Aluminum Insights
What We Do
Safety. Innovation. Sustainability. Teamwork. Integrity. At Kaiser Aluminum, these words mean something to us. They are words that describe our culture and the manner in which we conduct business. They are the reason Kaiser Aluminum is Making it Possible. We produce semi-fabricated aluminum mill products engineered to outperform in strength, quality, and recyclability and make a safer and more sustainable world possible. Our coated sheet products protect and preserve the food and beverages your family consumes every day. Our lightweight, high-strength, energy-absorbing automotive extrusions improve your car’s fuel efficiency and performance while protecting your passengers on the road. From nose to tail and wing tip to wing tip, aerospace manufacturers rely on our products to make both commercial and military planes lighter, stronger, and more maneuverable for those who travel and those who protect our nation. We know that customer-focused, innovative solutions that move our industry and our world forward are made possible through the teamwork of a diverse workforce of technical, operational, and business professionals focused on mutual goals. We know that our success is a shared outcome that makes the future possible. At Kaiser Aluminum, we are looking for individuals who share the values that have guided us for more than 75 years. The future belongs to innovators and big thinkers – and Kaiser Aluminum is helping make that future possible. At Kaiser, it’s not just a job, it’s a career. Check out our current opportunities today.
