Casting Furnace Operator

About the Role

Primary Operations at Materion includes three areas: Whiting Arc Furnace, Old Cast Shop, and New Cast Shop. These areas operate under a Combined Crew concept, meaning your assignment may be temporary and could involve training or supporting other areas based on production needs. The role involves varying levels of physical workload in a manufacturing environment that can be hot and humid, with a strong emphasis on safety practices such as proper lifting, bending, and twisting.

Responsibilities

• Check heat numbers on run cards against charge pans to ensure they match.
• Hot clean furnaces or ladles and add charge to the furnace.
• Rub, rake, skim, and tap the furnace.
• Draw metal samples for analysis and calculate types/amounts of materials needed to meet specifications.
• Transfer molten metal from furnaces into molds or ladles.
• Remove impurities from molten metal using skimmers or rakes.
• Feed material into furnaces while maintaining identity throughout the operation.
• Monitor instrumentation and operate controls to maintain proper melting temperatures.
• Oversee metal pouring, temperature, ram speed, and water flow to ensure yield.
• Follow procedures for handling and disposing of solid and liquid waste.
• Learn and certify to safely operate forklifts and other mobile equipment as required.
• Record data in various computer programs.
• Sort ingots to order specifications.
• Prepare and set up molds.
• Change collector bags and clean pits and bays.

Marginal Functions

• Inspect furnaces for defects and wear.
• Maintain a clean work area.
• Perform minor maintenance on equipment.
• Actively participate in team meetings and assume leadership roles as needed.
• Assist in training departmental personnel, including safety training.

Requirements

• High school education or equivalent.
• Previous experience in factory work, construction, or military service.
• Ability to perform heavy physical labor in hot and humid conditions.
• Capability to lift, carry, and push heavy objects.
• Willingness to undergo a minimum of 18 months of on-the-job training (OJT).
• Proficiency or ability to learn PC functions, operate a large band saw, and accurately prepare charge mixes.
• Export compliance eligibility for access to U.S. controlled technology (ITAR/EAR). Must qualify as a U.S. citizen, U.S. National, lawful permanent resident, asylee, refugee, or national of a non-prohibited country, or be approved for an export license.

Tools and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Hearing protection
• Safety glasses
• Metatarsal boots
• Full face respirator
• Leather, nitrile, and cotton gloves
• Aluminized coats and spats
• Head gear
• Cotton sleeve
• Tyvek body suit
• Encapsulated suit

Working Conditions

This position is classified as "Heavy" under the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) definitions. It involves physical labor in hot and humid conditions, with exposure to high temperatures and the need to handle heavy objects safely.