Position Summary:

Lead Furnace Technician: Oversees and coordinates the work of furnace technicians while applying advanced mechanical and electrical knowledge to monitor, repair, and maintain all functions of forge and heat-treat furnaces. Ensures safe, efficient, and consistent furnace operations by leading preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair efforts. Provides technical direction, training, and support to the team and collaborates with supervisors and production staff to meet operational goals.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Leads day-to-day furnace maintenance and repair activities, ensuring adherence to safety, quality, and production standards.
• Coordinates and assigns tasks to furnace technicians, providing technical guidance and support.
• Develops, improves, and implements preventive maintenance schedules and procedures for furnaces and associated equipment.
• Serves as the primary resource for troubleshooting complex electrical, mechanical, and refractory issues.
• Reviews and approves the manufacturing of temperature uniformity survey thermocouples and other production/laboratory thermocouples.
• Oversees refractory installation, repair, and manufacturing activities, including fiber modules, coordinating the welders, and LOTO.
• Trains, mentors, and evaluates team members on proper furnace maintenance practices and company procedures.
• Works with production leadership to resolve operational concerns and minimize downtime.
• Assists Supervisor to create department Best Practices, Work Instructions, and Risk Assessments for non-standard work.
• Overseas inventory of department consumables including calibrated devices.
• Collaborates with contractors and vendors to ensure successful refractory installations and maintenance projects.
• Monitors compliance with company and regulatory safety policies, ensuring a safe working environment.
• Prepares and reviews reports, maintenance records, and equipment performance data.
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Required Skills:

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Strong ability to read and interpret safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare detailed reports, correspondence, and work instructions.
• Strong math and analytical skills, including algebra, geometry, and applied calculations relevant to furnace operations.
• Advanced problem-solving skills with the ability to adapt to complex and non-standardized situations.
• Strong leadership and communication skills; ability to effectively coach and direct a team.
• Ability to interpret and coordinate multiple instructions delivered in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Experience & Education

• High School diploma or general education degree (GED); or 3 years related experience and training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 2+ years of experience in furnace maintenance, repair, and refractory work.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to airborne particles and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Shultz Steel LLC is an equal opportunity employer. The companys policy and practice is to provide equal employment opportunities and to assure those opportunities, without regard to age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions, gender, race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation including gender identity or gender expression, religion, (including religious dress and religious grooming), mental or physical disability, legally protected medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, reproductive decision making, or any other status protected by applicable local, state or federal anti-discrimination laws.