Heat Treat Operator

Summary: 

A Heat Treat Operator is responsible for operation of furnaces, ovens, or other equipment, and to monitor temperatures and cycles. The role involves inspecting treated materials, documenting process parameters, and maintaining equipment according to safety and quality standards. Heat Treatment Operators help ensure consistent product quality and support efficient manufacturing operations. Strong attention to detail, mechanical aptitude, and adherence to safety protocols are essential for success in this role.

Palmer Foundry works with the defense and aerospace sectors and is an ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) controlled facility. This means our operations, data, and projects are subject to the U.S. ITAR regulations. To work with these controlled items and technical data, all employees must meet specific eligibility requirements, primarily being a U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen, Lawful Permanent Resident, or Asylee/Refugee), and complete mandatory training on safeguarding this sensitive information to protect national security. 

On the Job Training (OJT) will be provided by the equipment manufacturer & Palmer Foundry.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Loading and unloading both heat treat furnaces (Solution, Age). This includes strategic placement of castings on heat treat racks.  Quality & Engineering will provide directives.
• Straightening of castings after solution treatment.
  • Moving castings from heat treat rack to the straightening table with the use of a hoist, when needed.
  • Manipulating castings with force (lead hammer/dead blow hammer, Enerpac, etc) to conform to a specified flatness/shape with various gages.  (May take several hours depending on casting shape and heat treat load content.)
• Performing hardness testing of castings post aging.
  • Operate Brinell hardness testing equipment providing precise and repeatable results.
  • Documentation of all results.
• Entering multiple shop card/order/serial numbers into Odyssey Software, to identify each heat treat load.
• Operating the heat treat furnaces.
  • Starting & Stopping furnace loads.
  • Choosing the proper Heat Treat program for various times & temps.
  • Reviewing the times and temps of the HT load after completion to ensure a successful run.
• Performing daily function tests to ensure proper equipment operation.
  • Documentation of tests completed required.
• Performing weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual calibrations.
  • Completion of various forms to document and record calibrations.
• Ensure adherence to safety protocols, including personal protective equipment (PPE) and hazardous material handling.
• Maintain clean and organized work areas, including furnaces, tools, and storage areas.
• Participate in training and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and product quality.
• Perform other tasks as assigned or required.

Competencies:

Must possess attention to detail, basic computer skills, spatial awareness/safety consciousness. Knowledge of heat treating is a plus.

Education:

High school diploma or equivalent required.  Technical or vocational training in metallurgy, materials science, or industrial processes a plus.

Qualifications: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Attention to Detail: Accuracy in monitoring processing parameters and recording production data,
• Problem-Solving: Ability to identify and correct process deviations or equipment malfunctions.
• Safety Awareness: Strong understanding of workplace safety, PPE usage, and handling high-temperature materials.
• Communication: Effective verbal skills for coordinating with production, maintenance, and quality teams.
• Physical Stamina: Ability to perform physically demanding work, including standing for long periods and handling heavy materials.

 Supervisory Responsibilities: 

This is not a supervisory role.

 Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is sometimes loud.

 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. The Heat Treat Operator must be able to regularly lift and/or move heavy objects up to 50 pounds; stand for several consecutive hours without rest, with frequent bending and reaching; and must be able to tolerate a hot work environment, even at times when summer outdoor temperatures combine with residual heat from furnaces. May work in cramped spaces and poorly lit areas and under exposure to chemicals and excessive heat.

The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general content and requirements for performance of this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties, responsibilities, and requirements. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter the scope of work within the framework of this job description at any time without prior notice.

 Palmer Foundry also complies with federal employment eligibility verification laws through the E-Verify process. To verify identity and legal authority to work in the U.S., on their first day of employment, employees must present either a document which establishes both identity and work authorization (e.g., a U.S. Passport or Permanent Resident Card), or provide one document for identity (e.g., a state-issued driver's license) and one for work authorization (e.g., a U.S. Social Security Card). All documents must be unexpired and presented in original form to Palmer Foundry for the completion of Form I-9 and the E-Verify process.