H-1B Visa Metallurgist Jobs
Metallurgist roles qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations because they require at least a bachelor's degree in metallurgical, materials, or chemical engineering. Employers in aerospace, defense, automotive, and steel manufacturing regularly sponsor H-1B petitions for these positions, and the 85,000-slot annual cap applies unless you're working for a cap-exempt research institution.
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At MPC, we’re committed to being a great place to work – one that welcomes new ideas, encourages diverse perspectives, develops our people, and fosters a collaborative team environment.
Position Summary:
The Marathon Galveston Bay Refinery is seeking a motivated, team-oriented individual to collaborate with Inspection, Metallurgy, and other refining personnel to ensure the mechanical integrity and reliability of the refinery operating units. Responsibilities include assessing inspection findings, proactively identifying areas of concern, and offering corrective options before a problem impacts production. This position will be based out of Marathon Petroleum’s Galveston Bay Refinery in Texas City, TX.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provides daily support to the Refinery Inspection and Maintenance Departments regarding welding, repair recommendations, proper material substitution, and metallurgical-related issues for both fixed and rotating equipment.
- Directs the analysis and evaluation of failed equipment and/or components and subsequently provides a summary of the findings, which may include the issuance of guidelines, recommendations, or operational changes with regards to the materials of construction and their application.
- Interprets codes and specifications.
- Leads in corrosion studies to assist in solving material degradation problems.
- Provides periodic support to the Engineering and Major Projects Department regarding proper material selections to enhance reliable operations.
- Advises on the development of turnaround inspection and testing plans for fixed equipment.
- Conducts fixed equipment failure analysis and reporting, including field metallography, corrosion coupon analysis, laboratory analysis and metallographic failure analysis.
- Leads incident investigations and reporting.
- Coordinates contractors to conduct advanced nondestructive examinations and testing of fixed equipment and material samples as needed.
- Drives improved reliability of fixed equipment that affect unit availability and drive high maintenance cost.
- Provides metallurgical and materials engineering information to address active damage mechanisms.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor's Degree in Metallurgical, Materials Engineering, Corrosion Engineering, or Chemical Engineering required. (Education must be obtained/completed prior to start date)
- Four (4) years or more of inspection experience in fixed equipment, reliability, and maintenance required.
- Must be able to climb ladders, enter towers, examine remote equipment, and work within confined spaces.
- A valid driver’s license is required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 5+ years post-degree engineering experience as a corrosion/materials engineer in the refining or petrochemical industry desired.
- Experience with conducting risk assessments, performing failure analysis, and supporting inspection or corrosion engineering activities desired.
- RBI experience either implementation of new program or evergreening existing program desired.
- GE Meridium (APM) V4 experience desired.
- Must be proficient with Microsoft: Excel, Word, and Outlook.
As an energy industry leader, our career opportunities fuel personal and professional growth.
LOCATION:
Texas City, Texas
Job Requisition ID:
00023113
Location Address:
2401 5th Ave S
Education:
Employee Group: Full time
Employee Subgroup: Regular
Marathon Petroleum Company LP is an Equal Opportunity Employer and gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, reproductive health decision-making, age, mental or physical disability, medical condition or AIDS/HIV status, ancestry, national origin, genetic information, military, veteran status, marital status, citizenship or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. If you would like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant, click here.
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process at Marathon Petroleum LP, please contact our Human Resources Department at talentacquisition@marathonpetroleum.com. Please specify the reasonable accommodation you are requesting, along with the job posting number in which you may be interested. A Human Resources representative will review your request and contact you to discuss a reasonable accommodation. Marathon Petroleum offers a total rewards program which includes, but is not limited to, access to health, vision, and dental insurance, paid time off, 401k matching program, paid parental leave, and educational reimbursement. Detailed benefit information is available at https://mympcbenefits.com. The hired candidate will also be eligible for a discretionary company-sponsored annual bonus program.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Veteran / Disability
We will consider all qualified Applicants for employment, including those with arrest or conviction records, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws. In reviewing criminal history in connection with a conditional offer of employment, Marathon will consider the key responsibilities of the role.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Metallurgist
Align your degree to your specialty
USCIS scrutinizes whether your specific degree field matches the metallurgist role. A materials science or metallurgical engineering degree strengthens your petition; a general mechanical engineering degree may trigger a Request for Evidence asking you to justify the connection.
Target DOL LCA filings by occupation code
Metallurgists fall under SOC code 17-2131. Use Migrate Mate to filter employers by verified LCA filings under that code, so you're targeting companies with a documented history of sponsoring this exact occupation rather than guessing at sponsorship willingness.
Check prevailing wage levels before negotiating
Your employer's LCA must certify a wage at or above the DOL prevailing wage for your location and job zone. Run the OFLC Wage Search for SOC 17-2131 in your target metro before salary discussions so you know the floor going into any offer.
Prioritize defense contractors registered with E-Verify
Federal contractors working on defense or aerospace programs are legally required to use E-Verify, which signals an established compliance infrastructure. Companies already running E-Verify tend to have smoother H-1B petition processes than employers doing it for the first time.
Request premium processing if your start date is fixed
Standard H-1B adjudication can run several months. If you're transitioning from OPT or starting a role tied to a project launch, ask your employer to file with USCIS premium processing to get a decision within 15 business days and eliminate start-date uncertainty.
Document specialized certifications as supporting evidence
Credentials like ASM International certifications or documented experience with failure analysis, heat treatment, or non-destructive testing strengthen the specialty occupation argument in your I-129 petition. Compile these before your employer's attorney drafts the supporting letter.
H-1B Visa Metallurgist: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a metallurgist role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes. USCIS considers metallurgist positions specialty occupations because they normally require at least a bachelor's degree in metallurgical engineering, materials science, or a closely related field. The O*NET profile for this occupation classifies it as a Job Zone 4 or 5 role, which supports the specialty occupation argument. Your employer documents this requirement in the I-129 petition.
Which industries sponsor H-1B visas for metallurgists?
Aerospace and defense manufacturers, automotive OEMs and suppliers, steel and aluminum producers, oil and gas companies, and national laboratories all sponsor H-1B petitions for metallurgists. Government-funded research institutions may qualify as cap-exempt employers, meaning petitions filed there are not subject to the 85,000-slot annual lottery. You can browse employers with verified LCA filing history on Migrate Mate.
How does the DOL prevailing wage requirement affect a metallurgist's H-1B offer?
Before filing your H-1B petition, your employer must obtain a certified Labor Condition Application from the DOL confirming the offered wage meets or exceeds the prevailing wage for your role, experience level, and work location. The DOL sets four wage levels for SOC 17-2131. Being offered a Level 1 or Level 2 wage in a high-cost metro can complicate the LCA certification and may prompt USCIS scrutiny during adjudication.
Can I transfer my H-1B to a new metallurgist employer mid-status?
Yes, through H-1B portability. Once USCIS receives the new employer's I-129 petition, you can begin working for the new employer immediately without waiting for approval, as long as your previous H-1B was approved and you've been maintaining valid status. The new employer files a new LCA and I-129, and your occupation code and specialty occupation classification carry over if the role is materially similar.
What supporting documents strengthen an H-1B petition for a metallurgist?
Your employer's attorney will typically need your official transcripts, a degree equivalency evaluation if your credential is from outside the U.S., any professional certifications such as ASM International credentials, and a detailed job description tying your specific duties to your degree field. If your degree is in a related but not identical field, a credential evaluation and expert opinion letter explaining the connection can prevent a Request for Evidence from USCIS.