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Foundry Worker Jobs in Decatur, IL (NOW HIRING)

Metallurgist

Decatur, IL · On-site

$110K - $130K/yr

Comfortable working in a foundry and production environment. * Proven ability to influence process improvements and drive technical solutions. * Passion for continuous improvement and manufacturing ...

New

Metallurgist

Decatur, IL · On-site

$94K - $129K/yr

Direct experience in brass foundry operations (required) * Strong background in heat treatment and phase transformation behavior * Working knowledge of machining impacts on metallurgical properties ...

Metallurgist

Decatur, IL · On-site

$94K - $129K/yr

Direct experience in brass foundry operations (required) * Strong background in heat treatment and phase transformation behavior * Working knowledge of machining impacts on metallurgical properties ...

Foundry Worker information

See Decatur, IL salary details

$13

$18

$27

How much do foundry worker jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for foundry worker in Decatur, IL is $18.88, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.11 and $20.77 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges foundry workers face on the job, and how can they be managed?

Foundry workers often encounter challenges such as working in high-temperature environments, handling heavy materials, and maintaining strict safety protocols. Proper training, use of personal protective equipment, and adherence to safety guidelines are critical in managing these risks. Additionally, teamwork and clear communication with supervisors and colleagues help ensure tasks are completed efficiently and safely. Many foundries also provide ongoing safety training and ergonomic support to reduce workplace injuries.

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

To thrive as a Foundry Worker, you need a solid understanding of metal casting processes, basic math skills, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with specialized foundry equipment, furnaces, molds, and adherence to safety protocols such as OSHA standards are typically required. Strong attention to detail, physical stamina, and effective teamwork are important soft skills for this role. These skills and qualities are crucial to ensure product quality, maintain workplace safety, and support efficient foundry operations.

What are foundry workers?

Foundry workers are skilled professionals who operate in foundries, where metals are melted and cast into shapes by pouring them into molds. They are responsible for preparing molds, handling molten metal, operating furnaces, and ensuring safety procedures are followed. Foundry workers may also finish and inspect cast products for quality. The job can be physically demanding and requires strict adherence to safety regulations due to heat and heavy equipment. Attention to detail and technical skill are important in this role.

What Does a Foundry Worker Do?

A foundry worker works in a factory or shop that makes metal castings. A foundry worker prepares molds, operates furnaces, and handles finishing work. Their duties are to melt metal in the shop furnace, pour it into a mold, and break the mold and begin the finishing processes once the castings have solidified. Finishing may include manually sanding the parts or using automated equipment. Other duties include the inspection of hardware to ensure everything is up to safety standards and functioning correctly. The types of products they might work on include car parts and components for cell phones. Qualifications to become a foundry worker include a high school diploma or GED certificate and industry experience, though there are entry-level opportunities and apprenticeships available.

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

AspectFoundry WorkerMetal Casting Technician
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job trainingHigh school diploma; technical certification often preferred
Work EnvironmentFactories, foundries, heavy machinery areasManufacturing plants, casting facilities
Job DutiesHandling materials, operating equipment, basic safetyInspecting castings, maintaining equipment, quality control

Foundry Workers perform basic tasks like material handling and equipment operation in foundries, while Metal Casting Technicians focus on inspecting, maintaining, and ensuring the quality of castings. Both roles require similar credentials and work environments, but Technicians have more specialized responsibilities related to quality and equipment maintenance.

What does a foundry worker do?

A foundry worker operates equipment and performs tasks related to melting, pouring, and shaping metal materials in a foundry environment. They handle tasks such as preparing molds, monitoring temperature controls, and ensuring safety protocols are followed, often requiring knowledge of heavy machinery and protective gear. The role may also involve quality inspection and maintenance of tools and equipment.
What job categories do people searching Foundry Worker jobs in Decatur, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Foundry Worker jobs in Decatur, IL are:
What cities near Decatur, IL are hiring for Foundry Worker jobs? Cities near Decatur, IL with the most Foundry Worker job openings:
Foundry Plant Manager

Foundry Plant Manager

voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak LLC

Decatur, IL • On-site

$125K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


Job description




Join Our Team at voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak!

Embark on a rewarding career journey with voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak, North America's premier designer and manufacturer of special trackwork. With a legacy spanning 160 years, we lead the industry in shaping the future of rail solutions. As part of the voestalpine Railway Systems global network, we are committed to delivering quality products and services, including rails, turnouts, fastening systems, signaling technologies, and monitoring solutions. Operating with a presence across Canada, the US, and Mexico, we prioritize the well-being of our people, global mobility, and sustainability and innovation.

Our people are the foundation of our success. Skilled, motivated, and results-driven individuals shape our culture demonstrating our core values of Respect, Responsibility, Curiosity, Courage, Passion, and Diversity each day. This commitment is more than shared values; it extends to shared responsibilities for safety and quality, showing genuine care for one another's growth and development, a commitment to our customers, and fostering strong relationships within the Nortrak Team and with our customers.

We are currently seeking a Plant Manager for our Steel and Iron Foundry in Decatur, Illinois.

PURPOSE OF POSITION

Reporting directly to the Sr Vice President of Operations, the Plant Manager provides leadership and continuous improvement for the facility, people and processes. The position directs and leads the operation of the plant to insure the achievement of key metrics (Safety, Quality, OTD, and Cost). The plant manager will maintain effective working relationships with employees by promoting a positive work environment within the manufacturing areas, ensuring consistent application of company policies throughout areas of responsibility and communicating company's strategy and goals to all functional areas.

TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES

SAFETY:

  • Actively promotes safety to achieve safety incident rate at or below the goal (TBD in annual plan). Champion safety in plant.
  • Actively monitor plant safety through the BBS process, walkthroughs and audits.
  • Promotes safety and ensures that employees perform their tasks in a safe manner, which complies with applicable regulations and accepted best practices.
  • Ensure OSHA compliance is adhered.
  • Monitor trends and develop strategies.
  • Oversee incident investigations, disseminate information to other plants and ensure correction actions are completed.
  • Ensure training is completed timely and effectively. Ensure safety committee is empowered to identify and recommend corrective actions.

QUALITY:

  • Achieve cost of quality at or below the goal (TBD in annual plan) and maintain ISO certification.
  • Ensure that all processes are defined, documented and communicated.
  • Ensure all employees are following documented procedures.
  • Ensure that quality defects are fully investigated and corrective actions are completed and documented.
  • Liaise with customers to obtain feedback, clarify requirements / expectations and address concerns.

ON-TIME DELIVERY:

  • Achieve OTD at or above the goal (TBD in annual plan). Collaborate with Sales and Central Operations to establish committed delivery dates. Rigorously monitors project schedules.
  • Ensure master scheduling is accurate and purchase parts are managed appropriately.
  • Ensure communication between plants, departments and outside vendors to achieve delivery commitments.
  • Promote an environment of continuous improvement.

COST:

  • Achieve cost objectives to include cost savings, budgeted margins and forecasted volume.
  • Ensure budgets, capital and operating expenses are proposed and presented for approval in a timely fashion, achieved and promptly reported.
  • Manage inventory levels and turns to meet objectives.
  • Champion operational and process improvements.

PEOPLE:

  • Provide overall leadership to employees and foster a positive work environment to promote morale and employee engagement in the plant.
  • Ensure that all plant employees are evaluated annually, and equitably.
  • Coach and counsel employees to achieve high levels of performance. Review, develop and implement training strategies to ensure staff has the required skills, knowledge and competencies to support the business objectives.
  • Foster an environment of transparent communication that results in high levels of respect, employee engagement and retention.

ENVIRONMENTAL:

  • Address the environmental objectives and aspects through the installation of a robust EMS system.
  • Make continual improvements to EMS and report performance during CAR and Management Reviews.
  • Ensure all environmental permitting, reporting and compliance obligations are current.
  • Adhere to Nortrak's Environmental Procedures, Practices and Policies

Other duties as assigned

QUALITIFCATIONS:

EDUCATION:

  • Post-Secondary education in engineering or business degree is required.
  • Master’s Degree preferred.

FIELD OF EXPERIENCE:

  • At least ten (10) years’ experience in a supervisory level position and managing a diverse team.
  • Must have experience with manufacturing processes and knowledge of foundry processes (melt, green sand and no-bake molding, coremaking, etc.) is a plus.
  • Must be experience in most or all of the following areas: LEAN principles and methodology, safety compliance, budget planning and cost control, profit and loss statements, and quality control management.
  • Candidate must possess experience managing and leading a team including experience in staffing, training and development, coaching, and performance management, succession planning, employee retention and engagement.
  • Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills are required.
  • Must possess excellent negotiations, interpersonal and communication skills both oral and written.
  • Computer literate including Microsoft Excel Spreadsheets. SAP knowledge and/or experience would be an asset.

PHYSCIAL DEMANDS:

  • Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer; occasional standing and walking for your scheduled shift.
  • Must remain stationary for extended periods and move throughout the building to access files.
  • Must work effectively in a noisy environment.
  • Ability to lift and move equipment or objects up to 20-25 pounds occasionally.
  • Visual requirements include close, distance, color, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
  • Occasional travel required, involving walking, standing, sitting, and driving for varying durations.
  • Site inspections required to identify and address safety concerns.
  • Frequent use of hands and arms for dialling phones and using a computer mouse.

Working Location:

  • Decatur, Illinois.

salary:

  • $125,000/year - $150,00/year, plus bonuses

Benefits:

  • A supportive, family oriented Nortrak Blue culture.
  • We provide an environment where Health and Safety is our #1 priority.
  • Career development opportunities and competitive pay progression.
  • Competitive medical, dental & vision benefits.
  • Company paid life and disability insurance.
  • Paid holidays and vacation.
  • Retirement plan with matching contributions.
  • Tuition Assistance Program.
  • Wellness Program.
  • Employee Assistance Program.
  • Employee Recognition Programs.

If you think you have the necessary qualifications and drive to excel in our team, we invite you to apply now and join us at voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak. Apply today!

voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak (“Nortrak”) is a subsidiary of voestalpine AG (www.voestalpine.com) one of Europe’s premier steel producers with over 50,000 employees worldwide. Nortrak is closely affiliated with voestalpine’s Railway Systems group which operates in 21 countries across the globe to provide cutting edge system-based solutions to railroads and transits. Our website is https://www.voestalpine.com/nortrak/en/

voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, and any other federal, state, or locally protected classifications.






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