Foundry Assistant - Metallurgical and Materials Engineering

Colorado School of Mines; Colorado; On-site; USD 78,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & dental options

13 holidays per year

Retirement plan

Tuition benefits

RTD Ecopass

Discount programs

Recreation center access

On-campus daycare

Job summary

Colorado School of Mines seeks a Foundry Assistant and METAL instructor to support METAL bootcamps, operate and maintain furnaces, and report to the Foundry Manager.

This role emphasizes foundry operations, teaching, and outreach, with opportunities to train instructors and contribute to safety and student learning in Golden, CO.

Qualifications

• 3+ years’ experience in coreless induction melting operations.
• Familiarity with foundry operations and sinter lining operations.
• Bull ladle and liquid metal handling experience.
• Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain one.
• Experience with coreless induction furnace melting operations.
• Working knowledge of aluminum, bronze, iron, and steel melting practices.
• Experience with refractory and sinter lining maintenance and repair.
• Experience handling molten metal and safety procedures.
• Knowledge of foundry safety standards, PPE, and operating practices.
• Ability to instruct and demonstrate foundry processes in training or educational settings.
• Ability to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot foundry equipment and related tools.
• Ability to work safely around heat, noise, dust, and heavy equipment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with students, faculty, staff, and participants.

Responsibilities

• Assist in running foundry melts for METAL bootcamps (steel, iron, bronze, aluminum).
• Help maintain a clean, operational foundry and assist in equipment maintenance.
• Assist in instruction of METAL bootcamps.
• Train other instructors in melt operations for aluminum, bronze, iron and steel alloys.

Skills

Foundry operations

Melt operations

Training others

Safety procedures

Interpersonal skills

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Engineering a world of possibilities The foundry assistant and METAL instructor helps teach METAL bootcamps, runs and maintains furnaces for melt operations and reports to the Foundry Manager.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

FOUNDERY OPERATIONS SUPPORT (70%)

• Assists in running foundry activities such as steel, iron, bronze, aluminum melts for METAL bootcamps.
• Helps maintain a clean and operational foundry by assisting in regular equipment maintenance where appropriate.
• Assists in instruction of METAL bootcamps.
• Assists in training of other instructors for METAL bootcamps by instructing them is melt operations of Aluminum alloys, bronze alloys, iron and steel alloys and their appropriate melting equipment and procedures.

TECHNICAL FOUNDRY EDUCATION AND OUTREACH SUPPORT (25%)

• Assists Foundry Manager, instructors and Teaching assistants in area of steel and iron melting procedures for all foundry operations and student activities.
• Assists with foundry molding operations as related to METAL bootcamps and outreach activities.
• Assists with instruction of foundry post processing for castings made in METAL bootcamps.
• Assists in instructing METAL Mobile manufacturing program including all equipment and procedures.

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED (5%)

• Other duties as assigned to meet the objectives goals of the program and/or Mines.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Minimal Level of Education and Experience: High school diploma

Certifications and Licenses: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities and Other Attributes (KSAOs): 3+ years’ experience in coreless induction melting operations, familiarity and experience with foundry operations and sinter lining operations. Bull ladle and liquid metal handling experience. Valid driver's license or ability to obtain one within a reasonable timeframe of hire Experience with coreless induction furnace melting operations. Working knowledge of aluminum, bronze, iron, and steel melting practices. Experience with refractory and sinter lining maintenance and repair. Experience handling molten metal, including bull ladle operations and associated safety procedures. Knowledge of foundry safety standards, personal protective equipment (PPE), and safe operating practices. Ability to assist with instruction and demonstration of foundry processes in a training or educational environment. Ability to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot foundry equipment and related tools. Ability to work safely in an environment involving heat, noise, dust, and heavy equipment. Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work effectively with students, faculty, staff, and program participants.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Desired Level of Education and Experience: Associate's degree, technical certificate, apprenticeship, or vocational training in metallurgy, manufacturing, welding, foundry technology, engineering technology, or a related field.

• Five (5) or more years of foundry operations experience.
• Experience supporting educational, workforce development, outreach, or technical training programs.
• Experience teaching, coaching, mentoring, or training students, employees, or technical personnel.
• Certifications and Licenses OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification.
• First Aid/CPR certification.
• Forklift certification.
• Industry-recognized foundry, metallurgy, metalcasting, or manufacturing certifications.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Attributes (KSAOs) Advanced knowledge of ferrous and non-ferrous alloy melting operations.
• Experience with green sand, no-bake, shell, or other foundry molding processes.
• Experience with casting finishing and post-processing operations, including grinding, cutting, and inspection.
• Experience operating mobile manufacturing or outreach training equipment.
• Ability to develop and deliver hands‑on technical instruction to diverse audiences.
• Familiarity with university laboratory, maker‑space, or instructional shop environments.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, student success, and continuous improvement.

JOB DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

Strict adherence to laboratory safety protocols and the proper use of PPE is required at all times.

TOTAL REWARDS

Salary Rate: $78,000-80,000 annually Mines takes into consideration a combination of candidate’s education, training and experience as well as the position’s scope and complexity, the discretion and latitude required in the role, work location, and external market and internal value when determining a salary level for potential new employees.

Benefits:

• Colorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees.
• For this role, that includes: Flexible health and dental care options
• Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year – including a week-long winter break for the entire campus.
• Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution
• Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents)
• Free RTD Ecopass for regional bus and lightrail
• All Mines employees also have access to discount programs through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines Athletics home games, as well as access to the state-of-the-art Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more) and equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center.
• We are proud to have an on-campus daycare center.

About Mines & Golden, CO

When the world looks for answers, the world looks to Mines.

Colorado School of Mines is a top-ranked public university solving the grand challenges facing our society, particularly those related to the Earth, energy and the environment.

Founded in 1874 with specialties in mining and metallurgy, Mines’ scope and mission have continually expanded to meet the needs of industry and society.

Today, we are the No. 36 public university in the nation, recognized for our innovation and undergraduate teaching in science, technology engineering and math (U.S. News and World Report, 2025).

Mines graduates are change makers, boundary breakers and problem solvers.

Since our earliest days, a Mines education has been and continues to be a transformational opportunity, with one of the strongest returns on investment out there for talented STEM students of all backgrounds.

At the same time, Mines faculty members are pushing their fields in new directions, whether that’s manufacturing, space resources, quantum engineering, carbon capture or more.

Mines was recently classified as a R1 “Very High Activity” research institution by Carnegie, a notable feat for any university but particularly one of our size.

That size – roughly 8,200 undergraduate and graduate students – also translates to a close-knit campus community, where employees have opportunities to get involved in multiple ways, continued professional learning is valued and everyone can make an impact.

Community Alliance groups bring together employees for professional development, networking, and community involvement, and all Mines employees also have access to the wealth of activities happening every day on campus – nationally‑renowned speakers, special events and Mines traditions like Engineering Days, just to name a few.

And don’t get us started on our hometown.

We are located in the heart of Golden, Colorado --with its charming historic downtown and nearby hiking trails – and in close proximity to all that Denver and the Rocky Mountains have to offer.

That includes the sunny, high‑altitude climate and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities that make the Denver area an ideal place to live, work and play.

Are you looking for an inspiring, mission‑driven workplace where you can contribute to solving the world’s problems and educating the next generation of change makers? Are you an individual who values a community where our individual perspectives and experiences enrich the educational and work experience? Look to Mines.

Why choose Mines?

Mines is consistently ranked among the top engineering colleges in the United States and ranks number one as the best public school in the state for best value colleges. Mines is located in the heart of Golden, Colorado, a western suburb of Denver. The campus location offers a small-town ambiance with close proximity to all that the Denver metropolitan area has to offer with an abundance of cultural events, museums, theaters and sporting venues. An arid climate and an average 300 days of sunshine per year make the area an ideal place to live, work and play. We seek individuals who value a diverse and inclusive community – offering different perspectives, experiences, and cultures that enrich the educational and work experience. Come explore the possibilities!

Additional Information and Reasonable Accommodation Requests

It is the intent of Mines to comply with the applicable requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008, and their implementation rules and regulations, in support of equal opportunities for qualified applicants with disabilities. To meet this goal, Mines will make reasonable accommodations during the employment selection process and within our working environment. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on our site as a result of your disability. You can request a reasonable accommodation by contacting our Human Resources team at [e-mail] or 303.273.3250 for assistance.

Equal Opportunity

Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons. Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses. Mines’ commitment to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a talented student body and workforce. Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequality or concerns for safety.

Colorado's premier engineering and applied science university for 150 years and counting

We are pleased that you have interest in exploring career opportunities at Mines. Founded in 1874, Mines has an international reputation for excellence in engineering and applied sciences. We are committed to serving the people of Colorado, our nation and the global community in the development and stewardship of the Earth’s resources.