Production Furnace Operator

Aurubis AG; Augusta (GA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan with company match

Medical, dental, and vision plans

Company-paid disability insurance

Robust PTO including vacation and holidays

Job summary

Aurubis AG in Augusta, Georgia is seeking a Production Furnace Operator to manage and operate smelting and refining equipment. The role involves ensuring high-quality results through various operational tasks while adhering to safety and environmental standards.

The ideal candidate should have a High School Diploma, be physically fit, and have experience in an operational environment. We offer competitive retirement savings, comprehensive health coverage, and generous paid time off.

Qualifications

• Must be willing to work in intense heat situations.
• Good physical condition with the ability to lift to 50 lbs.
• Basic proficiency in production software and process control software.

Responsibilities

• Operate and manage smelting and refining process equipment.
• Utilize process control systems and respond to alarms.
• Perform basic cleaning and maintenance tasks.

Skills

Operational environment experience

Driver's license for industrial trucks

Experience with software tools (MS Office, SAP)

Safety-conscious

Teamwork-oriented

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Aurubis – metallurgy is our passion. We are a leading global multi-metal company and one of the largest copper recyclers worldwide. We process complex metal concentrates, scrap metals, and metal-bearing recycling materials into metals of the highest purity. These metals serve as the basis for key megatrends such as digitalization, renewable energies, e-mobility, and urbanization. Aurubis has about 7,000 employees, production sites in Europe and the US, and an extensive worldwide distribution system. Join our team and promote progress together with us!

As a Furnace Operator, you will be responsible for operating and managing smelting and refining process equipment. Our team, comprised of skilled operators with clearly defined roles, plays a crucial role in achieving high-quality results after comprehensive training.

Production Furnace Operator

Your Tasks

• Utilize process control systems to respond to alarms, change parameters, and manage machinery.
• Perform basic cleaning and maintenance tasks, ensuring operational spaces are tidy and equipment is well‑maintained.
• Use compressed air‑driven tools for cleaning slag or molten metal.
• Assist refractory operators in small equipment repairs.
• Execute process steps, including equipment operation, material flux application, and remote control of overhead crane.
• Follow up on process parameters, evaluate progress, and make decisions to achieve production goals.
• Prepare and clean equipment before and after use, ensuring adherence to official work instructions.
• Resolve minor malfunctions and participate in continuous improvement processes.
• Maintain material silos and conveyors, ensure material flow, remove material build‑ups and blockages, and clean the equipment.
• Execute tasks in accordance with working instructions and make independent decisions on the process.
• Adhere to safety, environmental, and quality standards.
• Take actions on production activities to facilitate safe maintenance tasks.
• Execute Lockout/Tagout procedures in collaboration with maintenance technicians.
• Be aware of and comply with environmental protection and health and safety standards.

Your Profile

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Work experience in an operational environment is advantageous.
• Driver's license for industrial trucks and overhead crane operation (or willingness to obtain).
• Experience with an oxygen burner lance and demolition robot (or willingness to obtain).
• Willingness to take responsibility and make decisions within equipment and process margins.
• Open-minded, teamwork-oriented, result-driven, eager to learn, safety-conscious, and quality-aware.
• Self-reflective and open to constructive criticism.
• Reliability and openness to change processes.
• Experience with relevant software tools (MS Office, SAP, etc.).
• Basic proficiency in production software, HMI-process control software, MES, SAP, LIMS.
• Must be willing and physically able to walk/work in, observe and spend time in a smelter environment.
• Must be willing and physically able to work in intense heat situations.
• Able to sit, stand and walk for varying periods of time in the plant.
• Must be able to perform the following: walking, standing, climbing, pulling, and or pushing, carrying, grasping, using hand‑to‑finger movement, balancing, reaching, twisting, turning, and stooping.
• May occasionally be required to reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Good physical condition with the ability to lift to 50 lbs. occasionally.
• Good hand/eye coordination, motor skills, 20/20 corrected vision and hearing within the normal range. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to respond quickly and efficiently to all safety needs on the floor or in the office areas.
• Must wear all required PPE when in protected areas.
• Willing and physically able to travel domestically and/or internationally, if requested.

We Offer

• Competitive Retirement Savings – 401(k) plan with generous company match to help you plan for the future
• Comprehensive Health Coverage – Medical, dental, and vision plans with company cost sharing to support you and your family, starting you first day of employment.
• Income Protection – Company-paid disability insurance for added peace of mind
• Generous Paid Time Off – Robust PTO package including vacation and 13 paid holidays.

Interested?

What does Aurubis stand for? Take a look here!

Aurubis is an employer that stands for diversity and equal opportunity. Employment decisions are made regardless of national or ethnic origin, religion and belief, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, age, mental and physical impairment and social origin or any other legally protected characteristics of an individual.