Refractory Operator

Gerdau; Petersburg (VA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision

401K matching up to 6%

Health Advocate Services

Employee Assistance Program

Tuition Reimbursement

Career Path System & Training

Job summary

Gerdau is hiring a Refractory Operator to lay brick and refractory in electric-arc furnaces, ladles and tundishes, ensuring efficient and safe operation. The role requires 1-3 years in manufacturing with the ability to work early shifts and overtime as needed.

You will operate cranes, use pneumatic tools, and assist with maintenance and training while following PPE requirements and safety guidelines. The position offers a benefits package and growth opportunities within a global steel producer.

Qualifications

• 1-3 years industrial/manufacturing experience.
• Ability to work Monday - Friday, 4am to 1pm with some overtime and could involve occasional weekend work.
• General math skills, analytical skills, and ability to read charts, schedules, and use computer and touch screens.
• Ability to use adjustable controls in regulating the continuous process through interpretation of measuring instruments and gauges.
• Ability and willingness to work as part of a self-directed team with limited supervision.
• People leadership skills and ability to lead by example.

Responsibilities

• Lay refractory brick to build, rebuild, and re-line ladles, electric-arc furnaces, roofs, tundishes, and other steel-making vessels.
• Operate pendant crane to move refractory material as needed.
• Cut brick to size using pneumatic tools and ram material into walls, tundishes, etc.

Skills

Industrial/manufacturing experience

Brick masonry

Problem solving

Analytical skills

Safety awareness

Team leadership

Tools

Pneumatic tools

Crane operation

Forklifts

Gauges interpretation

Job description

Date: Aug 12, 2026

Refractory Operator

Refractory Operator

Do you have a working knowledge of manufacturing tools and procedures? Are you detail-oriented with the ability to organize and prioritize?Do you like trouble shooting and solving problems? Join us as we build the future and the Gerdau We Are Creating .

Potential Earnings of $78000 / year which includes production bonus and biweekly hourly pay ( $21.16 hr after 90 days goes to $24.60 hr)

We Have:

• A strong global presence with mills that transform millions of metric tons of raw material to produce steel beams, flat-rolled steel, merchant bar, rebar, spikes, and wire used by the auto industry, appliance, construction, machinery, and equipment industries.
• A culture that welcomesdiversity, encourages innovation and creates products that serve humanity.
• An environment that values teamwork, safety, and sustainability.
• A commitment to continuous improvement and the belief that we can create a better future for our employees and our global community by investing in people, processes, and technology.

We Offer:

• Comprehensive Medical, Prescription, Dental,Vision Plans – Eligible upon 1stday of hire
• Health & Dependent Care (Flexible Spending Account)
• 100% Matching 401K up to 6%
• Health Advocate Services
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Career Path System and Training
• An empowering and open culture with the opportunity to grow and create

Your Qualifications:

• 1-3 years industrial/manufacturing experience. Brick Mason experience a plus.
• Ability to work Monday - Friday, 4am to 1pm with some overtime and could involve occasional weekend work.
• General math skills, advanced problem solving, analytical skills, use charts, schedules, computer and touch screens in addition to follow instructions.
• Ability to use adjustable controls in regulating the continuous process through interpretation of measuring instruments and gauges.
• Ability and willingness to work as part of a self-directed team with limited supervision.
• People leadership skills and ability to lead by example

Your Purpose:

Plan, lay out, and perform all operations necessary to lay brick and refractory in order to build, rebuild, and re-line ladles, electric-arc furnaces, roofs, tundishes, and other steel-making vessels.

Your Work:

• Complete a range of duties that are highly repetitive and routine in nature in order to properly and effectively lay refractory brick to build, rebuild, re-line, or patch electric-arc furnaces, ladles, tundishes, and other steel-making vessels.
• Operate pendant crane as needed to move refractory material to and from storage area.
• Cut brick to size using pneumatic tools to ram material, walls, tundishes, and other areas as required.
• Remove burned or damaged brick and clean surface of vessel using sledgehammer, pry bar, brick hammer, and/or pneumatic chipping gun.
• Spread or spray refractories over exposed bricks to protect bricks against deterioration by heat using a trowel or gunning machine.
• Perform refractory work at the Furnace.
• Assemble and disassemble ladle slide gate and/or tundish slide gate for maintenance inspection.
• Perform minor burning with torch, lance, and welding as needed.
• Support trialing of new refractory products.
• Operate mobile equipment to lift and transport materials including loaders, cranes, man-lifts, brick-lift, and forklifts.
• Ensure daily preventative maintenance is performed on vehicles and mobile equipment, which may include fueling, cleaning, and checking/adding fluids as needed.
• Follow all PPE requirements and safety rules and guidelines for all tasks being performed.
• Assist in training of coworkers as needed.
• Maintain communication with coworkers through two-way radio and hand signals.
• Maintain work areas and equipment in clean and orderly condition.
• Assist maintenance personnel as needed.

Gerdau believes in equal employment opportunity related to all employees and applicants for employment. It is the policy of Gerdau that there will be no discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

If you are vision-impaired or have some other disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act / Accessible Canada Act or a similar law, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to applying for employment at Gerdau, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team at (866)-788-2798 or [e-mail]