Metallurgy Engineer - Foundry Engineering

J&T; Spokane (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

J&T in Spokane, WA is seeking a Foundry Engineering Manager to serve as the primary technical problem solver for the foundry, leading pattern shop and foundry engineering, and partnering with operations to reduce scrap and raise throughput across molding, melting, and finishing. This hands-on role emphasizes root-cause analysis, process improvement, and technical guidance to managers and senior leadership.

Ideal candidates bring 5+ years in foundry engineering with hands-on iron or steel casting

Qualifications

• BS in Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering field.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Acts as the foundry’s primary technical problem solver, using metallurgical analysis 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.

Skills

Metallurgical Analysis

Root-Cause Problem Solving

Lean Manufacturing

Throughput Improvement

Hands-on Foundry Experience

Education

Bachelor's in Metallurgical 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.