Furnace Operator

Oerlikon; Troy (MI); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan

Dental/Vision

Employee Assistance

401(k) match

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

12 holidays

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Referral bonus

Job summary

Oerlikon in Troy, MI is seeking a Furnace Operator to safely prepare, melt, and atomize metal powder using an induction furnace. You’ll load materials, purge with inert gas, monitor temperatures, pour molten alloy, and maintain furnace lining and production records.

This hands-on position emphasizes safety and quality in a dynamic manufacturing environment. We offer a robust benefits package and opportunities for development, with a competitive salary and strong company culture that values

Qualifications

• Basic math, organizational and mechanical skills required.
• Ability to perform physical tasks (lifting, bending, standing).
• Safely operate cranes and powered industrial vehicles preferred.
• Proficient in decimals, fractions, percentages, weighted averages.

Responsibilities

• Meet or exceed safety, environmental, and health goals for the department.
• Meet or exceed quality goals and productivity targets for production orders.
• Contribute to continual improvement activities.
• Operate and monitor induction melting equipment for gas atomization of nickel and cobalt alloys.
• Prepare and maintain refractory furnace lining; monitor its condition.
• Measure, weigh, and combine raw materials per instructions.
• Clean the furnace and atomization tank between alloys.
• Perform routine maintenance and support activities.
• Use process parameters in the job traveler.
• Maintain accurate heats records including start/stop times, gas pressures, temperatures, and melt characteristics.
• Perform other duties as required.

Skills

Basic math skills

Organization

Mechanical knowledge

Physical stamina

Operate cranes and industrial vehicles

Mathematics proficiency

Customer focus

Communication skills

12-hour shifts

Tools

Cranes

Powered industrial vehicles

Job description

We are looking for a Furnace Operator for our Troy, MI facility. In this role you will 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 hydraulically positioned induction furnace. Support activities associated with position include preparation and maintenance of the refractory furnace lining, maintenance of accurate production records, delivery of atomized product 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

• Meet or exceed all safety, environmental, and health goals for department
• Meet or exceed quality goals and productivity targets for production orders
• Contribute to continual improvement activities
• Operation and monitoring of induction melting equipment used for the gas atomization of nickel and cobalt based alloys.
• Responsible for preparation and maintenance of refractory furnace lining while maintaining a constant awareness of the condition of the refractory lining
• Measure, weigh, and combine raw materials based on specific instructions
• Clean the furnace and atomization tank between alloys
• Perform routine maintenance and support activities (e.g. replacement of power leads, disassembly of atomization tank, installation of gas delivery system)
• Utilize process parameters specified in the job traveler
• Ensure accurate records are maintained of heats poured noting characteristics such as start and stop time, gas pressures, temperatures, and melt characteristics
• Performs other duties as required.

Your Profile

• Basic math skills, organization ability, and mechanical knowledge
• Ability to perform physical tasks, i.e. lifting, bending, standing, etc.
• Ability to safely operate cranes and powered industrial vehicles preferred
• Proficient in Mathematics (Decimals, Fractions, Percentages, Weighted Averages)
• Strong customer focus - internal and external.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to 12- hour shifts

Why Oerlikon

Team Spirit is one of our core values. Collaborating across borders, languages and cultures is key to us delivering results. Supporting our people’s growth and development is a top priority. We believe in the creative power of a team that draws strength from welcoming a broad expanse of knowledge, experience and perspectives.

#joinoerlikon #joinourteam

About Oerlikon

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. Head-quartered in Pfäffikon, Switzerland, Oerlikon operates in 38 countries with around 10,000 employees, achieving sales of CHF 1.6 billion in 2025.

We offer a wide variety of job profiles in a dynamic, supportive environment where people are empowered to grow and reach their full potential — guided by our core values of integrity, team spirit, excellence and innovation.

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www.oerlikon.com