Industrial Melt & Furnace Operator – Aluminum Die Casting (3rd Shift)

MDS Staffing; Cedarburg (WI); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Health and dental benefits

PTO bonus for strong attendance

Job summary

MDS Staffing is assisting in the search for a Furnace Melt Operator for a leading aluminum die-casting foundry in Cedarburg, WI. This 1st shift role runs from 6:00 AM to 2:15 PM, Monday through Friday, offering steady daytime hours and direct-hire stability.

You will load furnaces with ingots and scrap, monitor temperature, extract samples for analysis, and ensure quality molten metal for high-pressure die-casting cells.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated career stability with minimal 2+ years at each employer.
• Foundry/melt operations background in aluminum or similar alloys.
• Mechanical aptitude and basic math skills for weighing and counting.
• Must reside within a feasible 45-minute commute of Cedarburg, WI and be US authorized to work.

Responsibilities

• Operate and charge industrial melting furnaces with ingots and scrap.
• Tap and skim molten metal, maintain temperature and cleanliness standards.
• Pull lab samples for composition testing and alloy verification.
• Perform basic furnace maintenance and troubleshoot metal transfer equipment.
• Safely operate forklifts and overhead hoists for material handling.
• Record production data, attendance, and quality information daily.
• Follow OSHA, Lockout/Tagout, PPE, and 5S standards.

Skills

Career stability

Mechanical aptitude

Math proficiency

US work authorization

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Forklift operation

Overhead crane/hoist operation

Ladle hoist operation

Job description

Furnace Melt Operator - High-Pressure Aluminum Foundry (1st Shift)

Up to $31.00/hr ($64,480/yr) • Cedarburg, WI Area • 1st Shift (6:00 AM - 2:15 PM) • Direct-Hire

• Pay & Incentives: Starting pay up to $31.00/hr ($64,480/yr baseline depending on experience) + pay-for-performance bonus opportunities, 401(k) with company match, full health/dental benefits, and opportunities to earn additional hours of bonus PTO per year for strong attendance.
• Work Pattern/Schedule: Dedicated 1st Shift schedule (6:00 AM - 2:15 PM, Monday - Friday) providing convenient daytime routine stability.
• Environment & Company Profile: Direct-hire seat with one of North America's largest independent die casting manufacturers; ISO-certified facility featuring exceptional stability (40% employee tenure over 10+ years) and premier tier-one OEM partnerships.
• Core Functional Scope: Operate and maintain industrial melting furnaces, charge raw materials (ingots, sows, internal scrap), skim molten metal, and pull lab samples to ensure exact alloy quality for high-pressure aluminum die-casting operations.
• Strict Requirements & Authorization: Requires strict job stability (minimum 2+ years per employer), foundry or heavy manufacturing melt/furnace experience, mobile equipment proficiency, US work authorization, and a local commute within 45 minutes of Cedarburg, WI.

A premier, North American market leader in high-precision die casting is seeking a reliable Furnace Melt Operator to support 1st shift foundry operations. Responsible for tapping, charging, and skimming melting furnaces, this seat is vital for providing continuous, high-quality molten metal to high-pressure aluminum die-casting cells.

Joining an ISO-certified facility where 40% of the team boasts over a decade of tenure, this direct-hire position offers excellent hourly compensation, long-term stability, strong 401(k) matching, and structured career development paths in an employee-centric workplace.

What You Will Be Doing (Daily Responsibilities)

• Operate & Charge Furnaces: Set up, load, and operate industrial melting furnaces with raw ingot, sows, and internal scrap metal according to strict melt specifications.
• Tap & Skim Molten Metal: Tap furnaces as directed by leadership and skim impurities from molten metal, taking care to maintain strict temperature and cleanliness standards.
• Pull Samples for Quality Analysis: Remove liquid metal samples, label them, and submit them to the metallurgy lab for chemical composition testing and alloy verification.
• Perform Basic Furnace Maintenance: Clean furnaces, burner wells, and metal transfer equipment; perform basic mechanical troubleshooting and preventative maintenance work orders.
• Operate Material Handling Equipment: Safely operate powered industrial forklift trucks and overhead electric hoists to transport ingots, sows, containers, and finished product.
• Track Production & Documentation: Count, weigh, and record material quantities moved on daily production logs while maintaining accurate attendance and quality reporting.
• Enforce Safety & 5S Standards: Follow all OSHA safety rules, strict Lockout/Tagout protocols, proper PPE requirements for hot metal environments, and 5S workplace organization.

What We Are Looking For (Requirements & Qualifications)

• Job Stability Required: Demonstrated career stability with a strict requirement of at least 2+ years of tenure at each previous employer.
• Foundry/Melt Operations Background: Prior experience operating industrial furnaces, melting aluminum/zinc/magnesium alloys, or working in a heavy industrial foundry/metalworking environment.
• Mechanical & Math Skills: Solid mechanical aptitude, basic math proficiency for weighing and counting materials, and the ability to operate material handling equipment.
• Commutable Radius: Must reside within a 45-minute maximum commute of the Cedarburg / Greater Milwaukee, WI area.
• Education & Authorization: High School Diploma or GED required; must be fully authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Preferred Technical Assets (Bonus Skills)

• Die Cast & Mold Theory: Working knowledge of high-pressure aluminum die-casting processes, vacuum systems, or molten metal thermal management.
• Quality Systems Knowledge: Experience operating within ISO/TS or IATF 16949 quality systems and applying 5S methodology on the shop floor.
• Forklift & Hoist Certification: Hands-on experience operating heavy-capacity forklifts, overhead bridge cranes, or specialized ladle hoists.