Combustion and Thermal System Engineer

Precision Castparts Corp.; South Gate (CA); On-site; USD 96,000 - 146,000; Full time

Job summary

Precision Castparts Corp. seeks a Combustion & Thermal Systems Engineer to lead engineering for heat treat and hot work furnace systems, serving as the SME for combustion, pyrometry, controls, and thermal processing equipment.

You will drive uptime improvements, AMS2750 compliance, Nadcap alignment, and capital projects while partnering with Quality, Operations, and Maintenance to enhance efficiency and product quality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Materials Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 5–7 years in industrial thermal processing equipment, combustion systems, or aerospace heat treat operations.
• PE license desired and Six Sigma Green/Black Belt desired.

Responsibilities

• Provide engineering leadership for combustion, thermal processing, and furnace control systems.
• Design, analyze, troubleshoot, and optimize industrial combustion systems and thermal profiles.
• Lead AMS2750 compliance activities and calibration programs.

Skills

Combustion engineering

Heat transfer

Thermodynamics

Thermal processing

AMS2750 compliance

PLC programming

Instrumentation

Data analysis

FMEA / RCA

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, or Materials Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Tools

PLC programming

HMI systems

CMMS

Instrumentation

Data acquisition systems

Job description

The Combustion & Thermal Systems Engineer responsible for the engineering, reliability, optimization, compliance, and continuous improvement of heat treat and hot work furnace systems. This role serves as the subject matter expert for combustion systems, pyrometry, controls, instrumentation, and thermal processing equipment. The engineer will lead efforts to improve furnace performance, reduce downtime, ensure AMS2750 compliance, support aerospace customer requirements, and execute capital and process improvement projects that enhance operational efficiency and product quality.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide engineering leadership for all combustion, thermal processing, and furnace control systems throughout the facility.
• Design, analyze, troubleshoot, and optimize industrial combustion systems, burners, gas trains, airflow systems, and thermal profiles.
• Serve as the facility's technical authority for AMS2750 compliance, Temperature Uniformity Surveys (TUS), System Accuracy Tests (SAT), and calibration programs.
• Develop engineering standards, preventative maintenance strategies, and reliability improvement initiatives for all thermal processing equipment.
• Conduct root cause analyses of furnace failures, quality escapes, and equipment downtime, implementing corrective and preventive actions.
• Lead furnace modernization projects, control upgrades, instrumentation improvements, and automation initiatives.
• Analyze furnace performance data and establish KPI metrics related to uptime, cycle performance, and process capability.
• Partner with Quality, Operations, Engineering, and Maintenance teams to maintain Nadcap accreditation and customer requirements.
• Specify, select, and validate instrumentation, thermocouples, sensors, gas analyzers, PLCs, and control systems.
• Review and approve technical and compliance documentation.
• Manage outside contractors and OEM service providers supporting furnace maintenance and major repairs.
• Support customer, regulatory, and Nadcap audits as the technical representative for thermal processing systems.
• Identify and execute cost reduction, energy efficiency, and process optimization opportunities.
• Lead capital expenditure projects from concept through implementation, commissioning, and validation.
• Other duties as assigned

Required Skills

• Advanced understanding of combustion engineering, heat transfer, thermodynamics, and thermal processing.
• Expertise in industrial heat treat furnace design, operation, troubleshooting, and optimization.
• Strong working knowledge of AMS2750, NFPA86 Code, Nadcap requirements, and aerospace heat treating standards.
• Experience with PLC programming, HMI systems, industrial controls, data acquisition systems, and instrumentation.
• Ability to interpret electrical schematics, PIDs, combustion drawings, and mechanical layouts.
• Proficiency in root cause analysis methodologies including 5-Why, Fishbone, and Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA).
• Knowledge of process control theory, calibration methodologies, and statistical process control concepts.
• Experience utilizing CMMS systems and reliability-centered maintenance practices.
• Intermediate application of Microsoft Office Programs (Excel, Outlook, Teams)

Experience & Education

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or related engineering discipline.
• Minimum 5-7 years of experience supporting industrial thermal processing equipment, combustion systems, or aerospace heat treat operations.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license desired
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification desired
• Experience within aerospace manufacturing, forging, heat treating, or metallurgical processing environments desired
• Demonstrated experience leading capital equipment installations and process improvement projects desired

Success Metrics

• Furnace uptime and reliability improvements.
• Reduction in pyrometry and compliance findings.
• Reduction in maintenance and operating costs.
• Successful completion of capital and modernization projects.
• Improved process capability and product quality.
• Maintenance of customer and Nadcap compliance requirements.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to airborne particles and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Shultz Steel LLC is an equal opportunity employer. The company's policy and practice is to provide equal employment opportunities and to assure those opportunities, without regard to age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions, gender, race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation including gender identity or gender expression, religion, (including religious dress and religious grooming), mental or physical disability, legally protected medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, reproductive decision making, or any other status protected by applicable local, state or federal anti-discrimination laws.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

For informational purposes only, the range of pay for this role is $96300 to $145700 US Dollar (USD) Salaried based on a variety of factors. For informational purposes only, this role is eligible to participate in the Company’s Quarterly Cash Bonus Plan, paid out at the quarterly bonus factor of 2X the Company’s bonus multiple, based on the Company’s performance in the applicable quarter . Employees will receive 120 hours paid time off every year. Employees will also receive 10 paid holidays. Employees (and their families) are eligible to participate in the company's medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are eligible to enroll in the Company’s 401(k) plan.

This position requires use of information or access to production processes subject to national security controls under U.S. export control laws and regulations (including, but not limited to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR)). To comply with those regulations, this position may require applicants to be U.S. Persons (i.e., U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), or eligible to obtain the required export authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Company Profile

With more than 120 operations and approximately 20,000 employees worldwide, Precision Castparts Corp. is the market leader in manufacturing large, complex structural investment castings, airfoil castings, forged components, aerostructures and highly engineered, critical fasteners for aerospace applications. In addition, we are the leading producer of airfoil castings for the industrial gas turbine market. We also manufacture extruded seamless pipe, fittings, and forgings for power generation and oil & gas applications; commercial and military airframe aerostructures; and metal alloys and other materials for the casting and forging industries. With such critical applications, we insist on quality and dependability – not just in the materials and products we make, but in the people we recruit.

PCC is relentless in its dedication to being a high-quality, low-cost and on-time producer; delivering the highest value to its customers while continually pursuing strategic, profitable growth.

In 2016, Berkshire Hathaway, led by Chairman and CEO Warren E. Buffett, acquired Precision Castparts Corp.

Precision Castparts Corp. and its affiliates do not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or employment agencies. Unsolicited resumes will become the property of Precision Castparts Corp & its affiliates, and no fee will be paid.

We are constantly searching for the best talent and offer excellent development programs for recent graduates as well as meaningful work experience for those still studying.