Foundry Engineering Manager

J&T; Spokane (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

J&T is seeking a Foundry Engineering Manager to serve as the foundry's primary technical problem solver, leading pattern shop and engineering functions to boost throughput and quality across molding, melting, and finishing.

This hands-on role emphasizes root-cause problem solving, process improvement, and translating customer requirements into producible casting designs, with leadership of the foundry engineering staff and collaboration with department managers.

Qualifications

• Requires a BS in Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years foundry engineering experience with hands-on experience in white iron and/or steel casting.
• Experience with pattern and method design, including gating, risering, and solidification.
• Strong, metrics-driven root-cause problem-solving skills, including casting defect analysis and scrap reduction.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Acts as the foundry's primary technical problem solver to drive throughput and quality.
• Reviews scrap and rework reports to identify root causes and drive scrap reduction.
• Works with molding and melting managers to improve casting quality and reduce downstream finishing.
• Drives pattern and method design to improve yield and reduce finishing requirements.
• Identifies critical control points and implements corrective actions.
• Reduces consumption of foundry consumables without compromising casting quality.
• Manages the foundry engineering staff and provides technical support across departments.
• Supports new product development by translating customer requirements into producible castings and methods.
• Recommends improvements to foundry equipment and facilities.

Skills

Root-cause problem solving

Lean Manufacturing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Metallurgical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Materials Science

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

We are seeking a Foundry Engineering Manager to serve as the foundry’s primary technical problem solver. This is a hands-on engineering role focused on reducing scrap, improving casting quality, and increasing throughput across molding, melting, and finishing. The role leads the pattern shop and foundry engineering function and provides technical recommendations to department managers and senior leadership.

This is a technical role centered on root-cause problem solving and process improvement. It is not a quality-systems or QMS administration position.

Primary Responsibilities

• Acts as the foundry’s primary technical problem solver, using metallurgical analysis and foundry experience to drive throughput and quality across molding, melting, and finishing.
  
• Reviews scrap and rework reports to identify root cause and drive measurable, sustained scrap reduction.
  
• Works closely with the molding manager and melting manager to improve casting quality and reduce downstream finishing. Coaches molding and melting teams on practices that improve as-cast quality.
  
• Drives pattern and method design (gating, risering, solidification) to improve yield and reduce finishing requirements.
  
• Identifies critical control points in the foundry process that drive defects or quality loss, and implements corrective action.
  
• Reduces consumption of foundry consumables (chemicals, sleeves, filters, refractories, and similar) without compromising casting quality.
  
• Manages the foundry engineering staff.
  
• Applies statistical methods and engineering calculations to analyze processes and defects and to establish technically sound process standards.
  
• Provides technical support to departments both inside and outside the foundry.
  
• Supports new product development, including translating customer requirements into producible casting and method designs.
  
• Recommends improvements to foundry equipment and facilities.
  
• Other duties as assigned.
  

Knowledge and Skills

• BS in Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering field. Foundry metallurgy background preferred.
  
• Minimum 5 years of foundry engineering experience, with direct hands-on experience in white iron and/or steel casting.
  
• Demonstrated experience with pattern and method design, including gating, risering, and solidification.
  
• Strong, metrics-driven root-cause problem-solving skills, including casting defect analysis and scrap reduction.
  
• Detailed knowledge of Lean Manufacturing a plus.