Furnace Operator

Furnace Operator

We are looking for a Furnace Operator for our Plymouth, Michigan facility. In this role you will meet or exceeds safety, quality and production goals. Safely prepare, melt, and atomize metal powder following job instructions. This will include loading the furnace with raw materials, purging down with inert gas, power-up, taking temperatures, inspecting, and pouring the molten metal from a coreless induction furnace. Support activities associated with position include preparation and maintenance of the refractory furnace lining, maintenance of accurate production records, delivery of atomized products to the screening area, and cleaning the furnace and atomization system between alloys.

We offer:

Aside from a dynamic global culture and leading market position, we are proud to offer our employees development opportunities, competitive salary and a robust benefit program ALL available on first day of employment !

The perks and benefits of working at Oerlikon include the following:

• Comprehensive medical and prescription drug plan with low premiums, company sponsored HSA contributions and without cumbersome waiting periods to keep you going strong.
• Excellent Dental and Vision coverage.
• Employee Assistance, Financial and Wellness programs to help improve all aspects of your life journey.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with significant company match and financial planning and education options to help you achieve your retirement goals
• Tuition reimbursement and internal education resources to satisfy your love of learning so you can continue to grow with us!
• Generous paid time off to support your physical and mental wellbeing.
• 10 observed company holidays and 2 floaters, to occasionally extend your weekends or time off.
• 100% company paid life insurance and disability insurance
• Employee Referral Bonus program because why not to bring your friends to work everyday!

Your Responsibilities:

• Operate and monitor induction melting equipment used in the gas atomization of nickel- and cobalt-based alloys. Responsibilities include furnace loading, purging the system with inert gas, powering up equipment, and pouring molten metal from a hydraulically positioned induction furnace.
• Prepare, inspect, and maintain refractory furnace linings, maintaining continuous awareness of lining conditions to ensure safe and efficient operation.
• Measure, weigh, and combine raw materials in accordance with detailed work instructions.
• Clean the furnace and atomization tank between alloy runs to maintain product integrity and prevent cross-contamination.
• Perform routine maintenance and support activities, including replacement of power leads, disassembly of the atomization tank, and installation of gas delivery systems.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of the work area in accordance with safety and quality standards.
• Follow process parameters outlined in the job traveler and accurately document all heats poured, including start and stop times, gas pressures, temperatures, and melt characteristics.
• Identify in-process atomized material, transfer finished product to the screening area, and submit samples to the Quality Control laboratory per job traveler instructions.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Your Profile:

• High School diploma or vocational technical training; experience may substitute.
• Basic mechanical knowledge.

• Foundry experience preferred.

• Basic math skills (decimals, fractions, percentages, weighted averages, etc.)
• Strong customer focus - internal and external.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to safely operate cranes, forklift and/or powered industrial vehicles preferred.
• Ability to work a 12-hour shift.
• Ability to perform physically demanding tasks, including lifting, bending, and repetitive movement.
• Ability to repeatedly lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to climb multiple flights of stairs throughout the shift.
• Comfortability working in an occasionally hot environment.

Why Oerlikon:

Team Spirit is one of our core values. Collaborating across borders, languages and cultures is key to us delivering results. Supporting our peoples growth and development is a top priority. We believe in the creative power of a team that draws strength from welcoming a broad expanse of knowledge, experience and perspectives.

#joinoerlikonus #joinourteam

Are you curious? Then release your passion to succeed and APPLY to discover how you can help us build a better world and realize how you can make a personal difference by joining our global team! Our commitment is your success!

About us


Oerlikon is a global leader in surface technologies and advanced materials. With a unique portfolio spanning surface engineering, high-performance materials, coating equipment and components, we make products better by enhancing performance, efficiency and sustainability. Oerlikon serves a wide range of industries, including aerospace, automotive, energy, medical, luxury, semiconductors and tooling. Head-quartered in Pfäffikon, Switzerland, Oerlikon operates in 38 countries with around 10,000 employees, achieving sales of CHF 1.6 billion in 2025.

Equal Opportunity Employment

Oerlikon is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you'd like more information on your EEO rights under the law, please click here: Know Your Rights.

If you are unable to complete an application or respond to a job opening because of a disability, please contact us at View email address on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io. This contact information is for accessibility requests only and is not intended for inquiries about the status of applications or for third-party vendor/agency requests.

Oerlikon will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

Agencies

Oerlikon only accepts agency resumes for positions that have been explicitly approved by HR for third-party support. We work exclusively with our approved vendors who have agreed to Oerlikon's terms and conditions and have an executed contract in place. Any resumes or profiles submitted to Oerlikon employees for roles not approved and requested by HR will be considered unsolicited, and Oerlikon will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.

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