Refractory Lead / Field Service Technician

NextPlay Jobs; United States; On-site; USD 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

NextPlay Jobs is seeking a Refractory Lead / Field Service Technician to travel across the United States, lead a small crew, and oversee refractory repair, installation and maintenance projects at customer sites. The role combines hands-on field work with frontline leadership to ensure safe, on-time project execution.

The ideal candidate has 2–5 years of refractory or related field-service experience, solid mechanical skills, basic electrical knowledge, and a strong safety mindset.

Qualifications

• 2–5 years of refractory, industrial maintenance or related field-service experience.
• Working knowledge of refractory materials and installation/repair techniques.
• Experience leading small crews in field environments.
• Strong mechanical aptitude.
• Basic electrical knowledge.
• Ability to read technical instructions, drawings and job scopes.
• Strong safety record and safety-first mindset.
• Ability to work in high-heat, confined-space and physically demanding industrial environments.
• Willingness to travel extensively — approximately 50–100%.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily field activities for refractory repair and installation projects.
• Supervise, train and mentor apprentice-level technicians.
• Plan and sequence demolition, preparation, installation, curing and inspection work.
• Install and repair brick, castable refractory and ceramic fiber systems.
• Stage labor, materials, tools and equipment for efficient project execution.
• Perform basic mechanical disassembly and reassembly.
• Work with gas-train components.
• Support basic electrical disconnect/reconnect activities.
• Follow proper curing, dry-out and testing procedures.
• Maintain project and material documentation.
• Enforce OSHA and company safety requirements.
• Communicate job status, risks and project needs to leadership.
• Deliver projects on schedule while minimizing rework.

Job description

Refractory Lead / Field Service Technician

$30s–Mid-$30s/hour | Full-Time | Extensive U.S. Travel

**CAN BE LOCATED ANYWHERE IN THIS US**

Our client, a growing industrial equipment manufacturer and service organization, is seeking an experienced Refractory Lead / Field Service Technician to join its expanding service operation.

This is a hands-on field leadership position for someone who knows how to execute industrial refractory work while also leading a small crew, planning the job, maintaining safety and keeping projects moving on schedule.

You'll travel extensively to customer facilities throughout the U.S. to perform equipment repairs, rebuilds, preventative maintenance and refractory installation projects.

What You'll Do

• Lead daily field activities for refractory repair and installation projects
• Supervise, train and mentor apprentice-level technicians
• Plan and sequence demolition, preparation, installation, curing and inspection work
• Install and repair brick, castable refractory and ceramic fiber systems
• Stage labor, materials, tools and equipment for efficient project execution
• Perform basic mechanical disassembly and reassembly
• Work with gas-train components
• Support basic electrical disconnect/reconnect activities
• Follow proper curing, dry-out and testing procedures
• Maintain project and material documentation
• Enforce OSHA and company safety requirements
• Communicate job status, risks and project needs to leadership
• Deliver projects on schedule while minimizing rework

The position combines hands-on technical work with frontline crew leadership; the company's Level 2 profile specifically describes this person as the bridge between basic labor execution and advanced technical service.

What We're Looking For

• 2–5 years of refractory, industrial maintenance or related field-service experience
• Working knowledge of refractory materials and installation/repair techniques
• Experience leading small crews in field environments
• Strong mechanical aptitude
• Basic electrical knowledge
• Ability to read technical instructions, drawings and job scopes
• Strong safety record and safety-first mindset
• Ability to work in high-heat, confined-space and physically demanding industrial environments
• Willingness to travel extensively — approximately 50–100%
• Able to pass a pre-employment drug screening

Especially Relevant Backgrounds

Experience with refractory contractors, industrial maintenance, boilers, combustion systems, power generation, waste-to-energy, incineration, cement plants, foundries, steel mills, industrial shutdowns, mechanical contracting, oil & gas, or other heavy-industrial environments is highly relevant.

• Competitive hourly compensation in the $30s to mid-$30s, depending on experience
• Paid travel time
• Individual hotel accommodations
• Tool and safety-equipment allowances
• 14 days of PTO during the first year
• Paid federal holidays
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Company pays 50% of health insurance costs
• Career advancement and technical-development opportunities

This is a true traveling field-service position, not an occasional-travel role. Projects commonly require several days to a week away from home, and some assignments may require longer stays. The company works to rotate its technicians when possible to help prevent burnout.

For someone who enjoys hands-on industrial work, solving problems in the field and taking ownership of a crew, this offers a path into increasingly advanced technical and leadership responsibilities. The client's career framework progresses from Level 2 Refractory Lead into Level 3 Senior Service Technician and Level 4 Service Specialist