Furnace Operator

Oerlikon; Plymouth (MI); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical and prescription

Dental and Vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Tuition reimbursement

Generous paid time off

12 paid holidays

Life insurance paid by company

Disability insurance paid by company

Employee Referral Bonus

Job summary

Oerlikon is seeking a Furnace Operator for a 6pm–6am rotational shift at the Plymouth, MI facility. The role involves safely preparing, melting, and atomizing metal powder, loading furnaces, purging with inert gas, and documenting heats in detail.

You will maintain refractory linings, ensure safety and quality standards, and support production records while coordinating with QA and screening areas. The employer highlights a robust benefits program and opportunities for development.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or vocational technical training; experience may substitute.
• Basic math skills (decimals, fractions, percentages, weighted averages).
• Foundry experience preferred.
• Strong customer focus—internal and external.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to safely operate cranes, forklift and/or powered industrial vehicles.
• Ability to work a 12-hour shift.
• Physically demanding tasks: lifting, bending, repetitive movement.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds repeatedly.
• Ability to climb stairs during shift.
• Occasionally heat environments.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor induction melting equipment for nickel- and cobalt-based alloys; load furnace, purge with inert gas, power up, pour molten metal.
• Prepare, inspect, and maintain refractory furnace linings for safe, efficient operation.
• Measure, weigh, and mix raw materials per work instructions.
• Clean furnace and atomization tank between alloy runs to prevent cross-contamination.
• Perform routine maintenance and support activities (power leads, atomization tank disassembly, gas delivery systems).
• Maintain cleanliness and organization in safety and quality standards.
• Document heats poured with start/stop times, gas pressures, temperatures, and melt characteristics.
• Identify in-process atomized material and transfer to screening area; submit samples to QC.

Skills

Strong organizational skills

Strong communication skills

Basic math skills

Foundry experience

Cranes / forklift operation

Education

High School diploma or vocational training

Job description

We are looking for a Furnace Operator (6pm – 6am rotational shift) for our Plymouth, MI facility. In this role you will Meet or exceed safety, quality and production goals. Safely prepare, melt, and atomize metal powder following job instructions. This will include loading the furnace with raw materials, purging down with inert gas, power-up, taking temperatures, inspecting, and pouring the molten metal from a coreless induction furnace. Support activities associated with position include preparation and maintenance of the refractory furnace lining, maintenance of accurate production records, delivery of atomized products to the screening area, and cleaning the furnace and atomization system between alloys.

We Offer

Aside from a dynamic global culture and leading market position, we are proud to offer our employees development opportunities, competitive salary and a robust benefit program ALL available on first day of employment!

The perks and benefits of working at Oerlikon include the following:

• Comprehensive medical and prescription drug plan with low premiums, company sponsored HSA contributions and without cumbersome waiting periods to keep you going strong.
• Excellent Dental and Vision coverage.
• Employee Assistance, Financial and Wellness programs to help improve all aspects of your life journey.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with significant company match and financial planning and education options to help you achieve your retirement goals.
• Tuition reimbursement and internal education resources to satisfy your love of learning so you can continue to grow with us!
• Generous paid time off to support your physical and mental wellbeing.
• 12 paid company holidays to occasionally extend your weekends or time off.
• 100% company paid life insurance and disability insurance
• Employee Referral Bonus program because why not to bring your friends to work every day!

Your Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor induction melting equipment used in the gas atomization of nickel- and cobalt-based alloys. Responsibilities include furnace loading, purging the system with inert gas, powering up equipment, and pouring molten metal from a hydraulically positioned induction furnace.
• Prepare, inspect, and maintain refractory furnace linings, maintaining continuous awareness of lining condition to ensure safe and efficient operation.
• Measure, weigh, and combine raw materials in accordance with detailed work instructions.
• Clean the furnace and atomization tank between alloy runs to maintain product integrity and prevent cross-contamination.
• Perform routine maintenance and support activities, including replacement of power leads, disassembly of the atomization tank, and installation of gas delivery systems.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of the work area in accordance with safety and quality standards.
• Follow process parameters outlined in the job traveler and accurately document all heats poured, including start and stop times, gas pressures, temperatures, and melt characteristics.
• Identify in-process atomized material, transfer finished product to the screening area, and submit samples to the Quality Control laboratory per job traveler instructions.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Your Profile

• High School diploma or vocational technical training; experience may substitute.
• Basic mechanical knowledge.
• Foundry experience preferred.
• Basic math skills (decimals, fractions, percentages, weighted averages, etc.)
• Strong customer focus - internal and external.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to safely operate cranes, forklift and/or powered industrial vehicles preferred.
• Ability to work a 12-hour shift.
• Ability to perform physically demanding tasks, including lifting, bending, and repetitive movement.
• Ability to repeatedly lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to climb multiple flights of stairs throughout the shift.
• Comfortability working in an occasionally hot environment.

About Us

Oerlikon is a global leader in surface technologies and advanced materials. With a unique portfolio spanning surface engineering, high‑performance materials, coating equipment and components, we make products better by enhancing performance, efficiency and sustainability. Oerlikon serves a wide range of industries, including aerospace, automotive, energy, medical, luxury, semiconductors and tooling. Headquartered in Pfäffikon, Switzerland, Oerlikon operates in 38 countries with approximately 9,500 employees, achieving sales of CHF 1.6 billion in 2024.

Equal Opportunity Employment

Oerlikon is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you’d like more information on your EEO rights under the law, please click here: Know Your Rights.

Agencies

Oerlikon only accepts agency resumes for positions that have been explicitly approved by HR for third-party support. We work exclusively with our approved vendors who have agreed to Oerlikon’s terms and conditions and have an executed contract in place. Any resumes or profiles submitted to Oerlikon employees for roles not approved and requested by HR will be considered unsolicited, and Oerlikon will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.

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