Furnace Operator

Furnace / Heat Treat Operator

Job Description

The Furnace Operator sets up, operates, and monitors industrial furnaces to perform thermal processing and heat treatment operations on a variety of parts. Working independently, as part of a team, or in a supervisory capacity in an assigned area, this role ensures all work follows shop traveler instructions and meets or exceeds quality standards. The Furnace Operator verifies that every job conforms to specifications, maintains accurate part traceability, and supports safe, efficient production in a high-temperature manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Set furnace temperatures and monitor heat-up and soak times in accordance with work order and process sheet instructions.

• Load and unload materials based on type, quantity, and specific handling requirements to ensure safe and efficient operations.

• Optimize furnace loading to maximize throughput while maintaining strict part traceability and compliance with process parameters.

• Determine end-of-cycle times, shut down furnace cycles properly, and safely remove processed parts from the furnace.

• Perform quenching operations according to specifications, ensuring proper cooling rates and material properties.

• Control and adjust furnace settings to maintain proper temperatures and consistent thermal cycles.

• Monitor thermal processing cycles to verify adherence to time, temperature, and other critical process parameters.

• Identify and resolve minor furnace operating issues and escalate more complex problems as needed.

• Inspect finished parts using appropriate measuring tools to verify conformance to quality standards and customer requirements.

• Report any non-conformances, including temperature deviations, time variances, or other process discrepancies, immediately to the Quality department.

• Follow all safety protocols, operating procedures, and shop rules to maintain a safe working environment.

• Perform minor preventive maintenance tasks on furnaces and related equipment to support reliable operation.

• Maintain a clean, organized, and efficient work area, including regular housekeeping around furnaces and material staging areas.

• Read and interpret work orders, shop travelers, process sheets, blueprints, and technical documents accurately.

• Handle materials in accordance with part traceability requirements and aerospace manufacturing standards, where applicable.

• Support documentation of quality inspection results and process data as required by internal procedures and industry standards.

• Collaborate with team members and other departments to meet production schedules and quality objectives.

• Assume additional activities and responsibilities as necessary to support production and operational needs.

Essential Skills

• Ability to set, control, and adjust furnace temperatures and thermal cycles for heat treatment and thermal processing operations.

• Hands-on experience or aptitude with furnace operation, heat treating, and quenching processes.

• Proficiency in quality inspection, including the use of micrometers and calipers to verify part dimensions and conformance.

• Ability to read and interpret work orders, process sheets, blueprints, and technical documents accurately.

• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain strict part traceability and accurate documentation.

• Basic math skills to calculate times, temperatures, loads, and other process-related measurements.

• Capability to identify minor furnace operation issues and perform basic troubleshooting and preventive maintenance.

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced production environment, managing multiple tasks and priorities.

• Good organizational skills and overall sound judgment, with strong safety awareness and common sense.

• Ability to speak, read, and write English to follow instructions, document work, and communicate with team members.

• Reliability in attendance, with the ability to be alert, attentive, and consistently on time.

• High school diploma or GED.

• Physical ability to lift heavy objects, stand for long periods, and work safely in a high-temperature shop environment.

• Mechanical inclination and comfort working with industrial equipment and tools.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with heat treatment in aerospace or metal manufacturing environments.

• Experience in thermal processing, heat treatment, or furnace operation.

• Familiarity with ISO 9001 or AS9100 quality standards and AMS 2750 requirements.

• Knowledge of aerospace manufacturing standards and part traceability practices.

• Experience with general production, foundry, diecast, or similar industrial processes.

• Understanding of safety compliance requirements in environments with chemicals, hot surfaces, and sharp objects.

• Ability to perform basic maintenance repairs on furnaces and related equipment.

• Comfort working with documentation for quality inspection and process verification.

• Strong multitasking skills and ability to prioritize work to meet production goals.

• Experience in sanitation or maintaining clean work areas in industrial settings.

Why Work Here?

This opportunity offers the chance to develop specialized skills in thermal processing and heat treatment while working with established quality standards and structured procedures. Team members benefit from a stable, production-focused environment with clear work instructions, defined shifts, and opportunities to build mechanical, inspection, and industrial operations expertise. The organization emphasizes safety, attention to detail, and continuous improvement, creating a setting where dependable, hardworking individuals can grow their skills and advance in a technical, hands-on career.

Work Environment

This role is based in a shop environment with industrial furnaces and production equipment. The position requires the ability to lift up to 50 pounds, assisted or unassisted, and involves extensive walking and standing throughout the shift. Multiple and variable shift schedules are available, including second shift (1:30 PM10:00 PM) and third shift (10:00 PM6:30 AM). The atmosphere includes exposure to chemicals, sharp objects, hot surfaces, fluctuating temperatures, and other typical conditions of a heat-treatment and manufacturing facility. Team members follow established safety protocols, use appropriate protective equipment, and work in an environment that values cleanliness, organization, and safe operating practices.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Orange, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $22.00 - $25.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Orange, CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 6, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Orange,CA.

About Aerotek

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.