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Foundry Operator Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Head of Talent

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$180K - $250K/yr

... operators, technicians, and quality staff. You will be accountable for all of it. Key Responsibilities * Own Foundry Robotics' talent strategy end to end, from headcount planning and role scoping ...

... operating lab/manufacturing equipment * Experience documenting process improvements and working in ... foundry processes, investment casting, or operation of large-scale industrial equipment (e.g ...

Software & Systems Engineer

Bodega Bay, CA ยท On-site

$90K - $140K/yr

Diamond Foundry Inc. is committed to operating in full compliance with all applicable state and federal laws. Our commitment extends to ensuring that our manufacturing and engineering departments ...

Diamond Foundry Inc. is committed to operating in full compliance with all applicable state and federal laws. Our commitment extends to ensuring that our manufacturing and engineering departments ...

Sustaining Laser Engineer

Bodega Bay, CA ยท On-site

$100K - $150K/yr

Diamond Foundry Inc. is committed to operating in full compliance with all applicable state and federal laws. Our commitment extends to ensuring that our manufacturing and engineering departments ...

Production Technician

Bodega Bay, CA ยท On-site

$25 - $37/hr

Diamond Foundry Inc. is committed to operating in full compliance with all applicable state and federal laws. Our commitment extends to ensuring that our manufacturing and engineering departments ...

Diamond Foundry Inc. is committed to operating in full compliance with all applicable state and federal laws. Our commitment extends to ensuring that our manufacturing and engineering departments ...

Principal Equipment Engineer

Bodega Bay, CA ยท On-site

$150K - $180K/yr

Diamond Foundry Inc. is committed to operating in full compliance with all applicable state and federal laws. Our commitment extends to ensuring that our manufacturing and engineering departments ...

Production Supervisor

Bodega Bay, CA ยท On-site

$39 - $45/hr

Diamond Foundry Inc. is committed to operating in full compliance with all applicable state and federal laws. Our commitment extends to ensuring that our manufacturing and engineering departments ...

Mechanical Design Engineer

Bodega Bay, CA ยท On-site

$110K - $140K/yr

Diamond Foundry Inc. is committed to operating in full compliance with all applicable state and federal laws. Our commitment extends to ensuring that our manufacturing and engineering departments ...

Diamond Foundry Inc. is committed to operating in full compliance with all applicable state and federal laws. Our commitment extends to ensuring that our manufacturing and engineering departments ...

Showing results 21-40

Foundry Operator information

See California salary details

$13

$19

$27

How much do foundry operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for foundry operator in California is $19.21, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $21.11 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a foundry operator?

Foundry operators are skilled workers responsible for operating and maintaining equipment used in metal casting processes. They prepare molds, handle molten metal, and monitor machinery to ensure the safe and efficient production of metal parts. Foundry operators must follow safety protocols, inspect finished products for quality, and perform routine maintenance on foundry equipment. Their role is essential in industries such as automotive, construction, and manufacturing, where metal components are produced.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a foundry operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Foundry Operator, you need a solid understanding of metallurgy, furnace operation, casting processes, and typically a high school diploma or vocational training. Familiarity with industrial machinery, safety protocols, and material handling systems is essential, and some roles may require forklift certification or OSHA training. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and strong teamwork skills help operators maintain quality standards and coordinate effectively on the production floor. These skills and qualifications are vital to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality metal casting operations in a demanding industrial environment.

What are some common challenges faced by foundry operators and how can they be addressed?

Foundry Operators often encounter challenges such as working in high-temperature environments, managing heavy machinery, and maintaining strict safety standards. One way to address these challenges is by adhering closely to safety protocols and using the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Regular training on equipment handling and emergency procedures also helps minimize risks. Additionally, effective communication with team members ensures smooth workflow and quick response to any operational issues.

What is the difference between Foundry Operator vs Metal Casting Technician?

AspectFoundry OperatorMetal Casting Technician
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may require certifications in safety or equipment operationHigh school diploma; technical training or certifications in casting processes
Work EnvironmentFactories or foundries with heavy machinery and molten metalsManufacturing plants focusing on metal casting and finishing
Industry UsageCommonly employed in metal foundries and manufacturingOften used interchangeably but may focus more on casting process specifics
Job FocusOperating equipment, ensuring safety, and maintaining production flowPreparing molds, pouring metals, and inspecting castings

While both roles involve working with metal casting processes, a Foundry Operator primarily manages equipment and safety in foundries, whereas a Metal Casting Technician focuses more on the technical aspects of mold preparation and casting quality. Understanding these distinctions helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

What job categories do people searching Foundry Operator jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Foundry Operator jobs in California are:

Infographic showing various Foundry Operator job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, and 18% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $39,957 per year, or $19.2 per hour.

Head of Talent

Foundry Robotics Inc

San Francisco, CA โ€ข On-site

$180K - $250K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 12 days ago


Job description

About Us
Foundry Robotics is building an AI-native robotics manufacturing company focused on deploying advanced assembly and production capability for leading robotics companies and national-security-critical hardware. Basically, we're building robots that build robots.
We are reimagining manufacturing through advanced robotics. Our mission is to rebuild the American manufacturing industry as an AI-first, assembly-focused, dual-use contract manufacturer. We aim to empower manufacturers with intelligent, efficient, and adaptable robotic systems that redefine productivity and quality. As a founding member of our team, you will have a direct and significant impact on our product, culture, and ultimate success. This role is 100% in-person at our office in the Mission, SF.
The Role
This role is for a Head of Talent who can build a recruiting function from first principles and then build the team that runs it. You will own hiring end to end - strategy, process, employer brand, and headcount planning - and hire, coach, and manage the recruiters and sourcers underneath you. You will be the in-house authority on how Foundry hires, and the person leadership trusts to fill the roles that determine whether we make our production commitments.
We hire across an unusually wide surface: robotics researchers, mechanical and software engineers, manufacturing operators, technicians, and quality staff. You will be accountable for all of it.
Key Responsibilities
  • Own Foundry Robotics' talent strategy end to end, from headcount planning and role scoping with hiring managers to offer close
  • Hire, manage, and develop a team of recruiters and sourcers, and build the infrastructure - ATS, scorecards, interview loops, comp bands - they operate inside
  • Build repeatable, high-signal interview processes for technical, manufacturing, and operations roles, and hold hiring managers to them
  • Own the executive and hard-to-fill searches personally, including senior research and manufacturing leadership
  • Build the top-of-funnel: sourcing strategy, employer brand, university and technician pipelines, and referral programs
  • Own recruiting data and report hiring performance - pipeline health, time to hire, pass-through rates, offer acceptance - to leadership on a regular cadence
  • Partner with Finance and leadership on compensation philosophy, leveling, and equity bands
  • Serve as the steward of Foundry's culture and hiring bar as the team scales

What We're Looking For
  • 8+ years of recruiting experience, including 3+ years leading and managing recruiters
  • Demonstrated experience building or materially rebuilding a recruiting function, not just operating inside a mature one
  • Track record hiring deep technical talent - robotics, hardware, or software engineers - and closing candidates against competing offers
  • Experience hiring non-engineering operational talent at volume: technicians, operators, and shop floor staff
  • Fluency in recruiting systems and metrics. You can instrument a funnel, diagnose where it's leaking, and fix it
  • Strong enough technical judgment to scope a role with an engineering lead and screen candidates credibly without a hiring manager in the room
  • Equally effective in a comp discussion with the founders and on the shop floor talking to a technician about second shift
  • Bias toward action, scrappy problem solving, and moving fast without lowering the bar

Nice to Have (Not Required)
  • Experience recruiting in robotics, aerospace, defense, or another hardware-rich industry
  • Experience hiring into ITAR-controlled or cleared programs, and familiarity with the constraints that come with them
  • Experience owning people ops adjacencies - onboarding, performance, or early HR infrastructure - in addition to recruiting
  • Experience at an early-stage company where the talent function was built rather than inherited

Why Join Us?
This is one of the only places where world-class manufacturing operators, mechanical engineers, robotics researchers, and software engineers sit in the same room, building production systems together.
We are committed to being deeply embedded in the U.S. industrial base. Our focus is simple: build adaptive robotic assembly systems that make American manufacturing scalable, resilient, and competitive again.
The base salary range for this full-time position in the location of San Francisco is:
$180,000 to $250,000 USD
Compensation packages at Foundry Robotics for eligible roles include base salary, equity, and benefits. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position, determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, interview performance, and relevant education or training. Foundry Robotics employees in eligible roles are also granted equity based compensation, subject to Board of Director approval. You'll also receive benefits including, but not limited to: Comprehensive health, dental and vision coverage, and generous PTO.