Production Technician - Foundry

Laborup; Crystal Lake (IL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Overtime opportunity

2nd shift pay differential

Job summary

Laborup in Crystal Lake, IL is hiring Production Technicians for an aluminum casting foundry. No foundry or molten metal experience is required; we train you from the ground up. You will monitor furnaces, prepare molds, pour molten metal, operate finishing equipment, and support production across the department.

This hands-on role features cross-training and growth into lead positions as you learn more stations. Expect a hot environment with heat-resistant PPE and steady attendance.

Qualifications

• Comfortable on your feet in heat.
• Shop math: fractions, decimals, percentages.
• Read a tape measure and scales accurately.
• Read dial gauges and digital thermometers.
• Basic machine operation experience.
• Consistent attendance and safe work practices.
• Authorized to work in the US without sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Furnace Monitoring: Watch temperatures, gauges, and flames to hold metal at spec.
• Melting: Melt aluminum and add alloys for required casting properties.
• Pouring: Pour molten metal into permanent and sand molds.
• Mold Prep: Preheat, spray, and pack molds before each pour.
• Machine Operation: Run shot blasters, automated saws, and strip-out machines.
• Quality Checks: Inspect molds and castings for defects during production.
• Furnace Maintenance: Clean, fill, and maintain furnaces and department equipment.
• Material Records: Log sand, alloy, and metal usage each shift.

Skills

Heat tolerance

Shop math

Read tape measure

Read gauges

Basic machine operation

Attendance & safety

US work authorization

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Forklift operation

Job description

Overview

We’re hiring Production Technicians for our aluminum casting foundry.

You do not need foundry or molten metal experience. We\'ll train all of that from the ground up.

This is an active, hands-on job for people who like to stay moving and work with their hands. The foundry operates multiple industrial-scale molten aluminum furnaces. You’ll help monitor furnaces, prepare molds, pour molten metal, operate finishing equipment, and support production throughout the department.

This is not assembly-line work where you’ll stand at one station doing the same task every day. Cross-training is a major part of how we operate. One day you might be monitoring furnace temperatures, the next pouring castings, the next operating the shot blaster or automated saw, and the next preparing sand molds. You\'ll move throughout the department, constantly learning new skills and becoming more versatile.

Because this is a foundry, the environment is hot year-round. You’ll wear specialized heat-resistant PPE while working around molten metal. If you’ve worked in construction, roofing, landscaping, manufacturing, or another physically demanding environment, you’ll likely find the pace and conditions familiar.

This is a stable, long-established manufacturer that invests heavily in training. The employees who learn every station and consistently show up ready to work can move into lead and higher-responsibility roles over time.

Why Join Us

• No foundry experience required: We teach molten metal handling, pouring, and mold prep.
• Daily variety: Furnaces, pouring, shot blasting, saws, sand molds, not one station.
• Overtime opportunity: Weekly optional overtime for those looking to make more money.

Compensation

• Pay: $20 / hr
• 2nd shift: 15% shift differential ($23 / hr total)
• Optional overtime every week

Hiring on 1st and 2nd Shift

• 1st shift: Monday - Friday
• 2nd shift: Monday - Thursday

Potential Backgrounds

• Construction, roofing, or other outdoor labor in summer heat
• Manufacturing or production floor work
• People who\'d rather move around all day than stand at one station
• People who don\'t mind heat, sweat, and getting dirty

Responsibilities

• Furnace Monitoring: Watch temperatures, gauges, and flames to hold metal at spec.
• Melting: Melt aluminum and add alloys for required casting properties.
• Pouring: Pour molten metal into permanent and sand molds.
• Mold Prep: Preheat, spray, and pack molds before each pour.
• Machine Operation: Run shot blasters, automated saws, and strip-out machines.
• Quality Checks: Inspect molds and castings for defects during production.
• Furnace Maintenance: Clean, fill, and maintain furnaces and department equipment.
• Material Records: Log sand, alloy, and metal usage each shift.

Qualifications

Required

• Comfortable on your feet in heat
• Shop math: fractions, decimals, basic percentages
• Read a tape measure and scales accurately
• Read dial gauges and digital thermometers
• Basic machine operation experience
• Consistent attendance and safe work practices
• Authorized to work in the US without sponsorship

Preferred

• One year of manufacturing or production experience
• Construction, roofing, or outdoor labor background
• Forklift operation experience
• High school diploma or GED
• Read blueprints and work orders
• Comfortable working with minimal supervision