Demo

Co-op, Breakthrough Technology

Alcoa
Kensington, PA Full Time
POSTED ON 4/1/2025
AVAILABLE BEFORE 4/30/2025
Shape Your World

At Alcoa, you will become an essential part of our purpose: to turn raw potential into real progress. The way we see it, every Alcoan is a work-shaper, team-shaper, idea-shaper, world-shaper.

This is your opportunity to help share the future of sustainability with world-changing innovations and low-carbon technologies. Become a valued part of the team that’s shaping the future of aluminum, revolutionizing the way the world lives, builds, moves and flies. Be part of it and shape your world.

Are you ready to get your career started? Alcoa is offering a Co-Op Program that involves material and process development for the Alcoa Technical Center, located in New Kensington, PA! The main activities will include but not be limited to ceramic powder synthesis, powder processing, materials characterization, materials processing development, working with high temperature furnaces, data processing, material purification and materials performance testing.

We are seeking a Co-Op for the Spring, Summer, or Fall. If you are a student who wants to live the everyday challenges and conquests of a pioneering and innovative company, this is the opportunity you've been looking for.

About the Role:

During this co-op, the selected candidates will:

  • Work closely with the Analytical team and electrode development engineers on a variety of projects to characterize material properties to contribute to technology development.
  • Use imaging and software capabilities to evaluate failure mechanisms, properties, phase information, and lot variations of production and R&D needs.
  • Provide insightful feedback to project leaders through formal reports and presentations.
  • Demonstrate nimble execution of fundamental testing, R&D, production autopsy, and other projects as needed to support the diverse needs of the Breakthrough Technologies division.
  • Be accountable for the defined project as assigned by the supervisor.
  • Publish an internal formal written report authored or co-authored by the student.

What you can bring to this role:

Our values – act with integrity, operate with excellence, care for people, lead with courage – are at the foundation of everything we do. To be successful in this role and to play a part in our ongoing success we desire the following background:

  • A senior level or above student in chemical engineering, materials science, ceramic engineering, analytical chemistry or related science field.
  • Aptitude for problem solving and critical thinking when applying scientific principles.
  • Strong organization, math and writing skills.
  • Ability to learn and grow in a technical environment with constant challenges.

About the Location

Every day is a new and exciting challenge at the Alcoa Technical Center in New Kensington, PA, just north of Pittsburgh. We develop new technologies with our Breakthrough Technologies team that has the potential to impact the life of millions of people and foster the sustainable footprint from Alcoa to the world. It was here where we developed the technology recently announced in partnership with Rio Tinto, called ELYSIS™, where we will produce aluminum with ZERO emission of greenhouse gases. In fact, we will actually be generating oxygen to our atmosphere during the aluminum production process– a revolution to the aluminum industry!

We are values led, vision driven and united by our purpose of transforming raw potential into real progress.  Our commitments to Inclusion, Diversity & Equity include providing trusting workplaces that are safe, respectful and inclusive of all individuals, free from discrimination, bullying and harassment and that our workplaces reflect the diversity of the communities in which we operate.   

As a proud equal opportunity workplace and affirmative action employer, Alcoa is dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of a person’s gender, age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, nation of origin, disability, veteran status, language spoken or any other characteristic or status protected by the laws or regulations in the places where we operate. 

If you have visited our website in search of information on U.S. employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Alcoa Recruiting via email at gssrecruiting@alcoa.com. 

This is a place where you are empowered to do your best work, be your authentic self, and feel a true sense of belonging. Come join us and shape your career! 

Your work. Your world. Shape them for the better.

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Co-op, Breakthrough Technology?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Co-op, Breakthrough Technology career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$110,340 - $133,143
Income Estimation: 
$138,848 - $168,818
Income Estimation: 
$85,996 - $102,718
Income Estimation: 
$111,859 - $131,446
Income Estimation: 
$110,457 - $133,106
Income Estimation: 
$105,809 - $128,724
Income Estimation: 
$122,763 - $145,698
Income Estimation: 
$88,239 - $107,750
Income Estimation: 
$92,981 - $138,294
Income Estimation: 
$108,127 - $132,532
Income Estimation: 
$110,528 - $145,291
Income Estimation: 
$108,127 - $132,532
Income Estimation: 
$135,130 - $165,097
Income Estimation: 
$113,817 - $150,648
Income Estimation: 
$105,809 - $128,724
Income Estimation: 
$136,611 - $163,397
Income Estimation: 
$135,163 - $163,519
Income Estimation: 
$131,953 - $159,624
Income Estimation: 
$150,859 - $181,127
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at Alcoa

Alcoa
Hired Organization Address Pittsburgh, PA Full Time
Shape Your World At Alcoa, you will become an essential part of our purpose: to turn raw potential into real progress. T...
Alcoa
Hired Organization Address Massena, NY Full Time
Key Skills and Qualifications Demonstrated leadership skills and experience in managing teams are essential for this rol...
Alcoa
Hired Organization Address Massena, NY Full Time
Responsibilities This role involves managing assigned resources to prioritize environment, health, and safety. Key respo...
Alcoa
Hired Organization Address Kensington, PA Full Time
Shape Your World At Alcoa, you will become an essential part of our purpose: to turn raw potential into real progress. T...

Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Co-op, Breakthrough Technology jobs in the Kensington, PA area that may be a better fit.

Co-Op, Breakthrough Technology (2025)

Alcoa USA Group, Kensington, PA

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!