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Foundry Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Lightmatter

Foundry Engineer

Mountain View, CA

Lead foundry process technology development, manufacturing strategies and specifications efforts for our highly integrated photonics-based AI platform and our photonics chiplet communication fabric

Lightmatter

Foundry Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$180K - $212K/yr

Lead foundry process technology development, manufacturing strategies and specifications efforts for our highly integrated photonics-based AI platform and our photonics chiplet communication fabric

Nvidia

Foundry Development Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

Join NVIDIA's dynamic team as a Foundry Development Engineer! We are on the lookout for a talented, innovative, and driven individual to lead the charge in high-volume, rapid wafer production. Dive ...

Samuel

Technician, Foundry 1

Riverside, CA

$20 - $21.17/hr

Competitive pay ( + Foundry Premium $3.00/hour) * Company paid health and dental benefits. * Paid vacation * 401K Plan with company match * Opportunity for career stability and growth * Tuition ...

Samuel

Technician, Foundry (3rd Shift)

Riverside, CA

$20 - $21.17/hr

Competitive pay ( + Foundry Premium $3.00/hour) * Company paid health and dental benefits. * Paid vacation * 401K Plan with company match * Opportunity for career stability and growth * Tuition ...

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All JobsFoundry JobsFoundry Jobs in California

Foundry information

See California salary details

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How much do foundry jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for foundry 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 do foundry workers do?

Foundry workers operate equipment and perform tasks related to melting, pouring, and shaping metal or other materials in a manufacturing environment. They may handle tasks such as preparing molds, monitoring casting processes, and ensuring safety protocols are followed, often requiring knowledge of tools and safety standards. The job typically involves physical labor and working with high-temperature materials.

What is the difference between Foundry vs Metal Fabricator?

AspectFoundryMetal Fabricator
CredentialsTypically requires vocational training or technical certifications in casting processesRequires welding certifications, technical training in metalworking
Work EnvironmentIndoor, casting facilities, heavy machineryWorkshop or manufacturing floor, welding and assembly areas
Industry UsageUsed in metal casting, sculpture, industrial parts manufacturingUsed in custom metalwork, structural components, machinery parts

Foundry workers focus on casting metals into molds, often working with molten materials, while metal fabricators cut, weld, and assemble metal parts. Both roles require technical skills but differ in processes and work environments. Understanding these differences helps job seekers find the right career path in metalworking industries.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in a foundry environment, and how can they be managed effectively?

Working in a foundry often involves exposure to high temperatures, heavy machinery, and physically demanding tasks. Common challenges include maintaining personal safety, managing fatigue, and meeting production deadlines while ensuring product quality. Effective management includes strict adherence to safety protocols, regular equipment maintenance, and good communication with team members. Many foundries also provide training and personal protective equipment to help workers perform their roles safely and efficiently.

What are foundry jobs?

Foundry jobs are found in a workshop or factory setting where workers have responsibilities related to metal casting. As a foundry worker, you complete duties involved with the setup, operation, production, and clean up for creating steel and other metals. You pour melted metal into molds then remove and dress the castings. These job-related activities can be physically demanding and require the moving of sand, flasks, and other materials either by hand or with appropriate equipment. Specific job titles include casting carrier, casting sorter, mold clamper, ladle pusher, sand shoveler, slag worker, and operators for various machines.

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 knowledge of metal casting processes, machinery operation, and workplace safety, often supported by a high school diploma or technical training. Familiarity with tools like furnaces, molds, and personal protective equipment, as well as certifications in forklift operation or safety protocols, are commonly required. Attention to detail, physical stamina, teamwork, and effective communication are critical soft skills in this environment. These skills help ensure the production of quality metal parts while maintaining safety and efficiency in a physically demanding setting.

What are the foundry occupations?

Foundry occupations include roles such as foundry workers, mold makers, patternmakers, and furnace operators. These jobs involve operating casting equipment, preparing molds, and handling molten metal, often requiring knowledge of safety procedures and sometimes certifications in welding or industrial safety. Workers typically work in manufacturing environments with heavy machinery and may need physical stamina and attention to detail.

What is a foundry worker?

Foundry workers are skilled professionals who work in foundries, which are industrial facilities where metals are melted and cast into shapes using molds. Their job involves operating furnaces, pouring molten metal, and handling casting equipment to produce parts and components for industries like automotive, construction, and manufacturing. Foundry workers must follow strict safety protocols due to the high temperatures and hazardous materials involved. They may also be responsible for inspecting finished products and maintaining equipment. This role requires physical strength, attention to detail, and knowledge of metalworking processes.
More about Foundry jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Foundry jobs in California? The most popular types of Foundry jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Foundry jobs in California? For Foundry jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Foundry jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Foundry jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Foundry jobs? Cities in California with the most Foundry job openings:
Foundry jobs near you
Infographic showing various Foundry job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 10% Contract, and 3% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $39,957 per year, or $19.2 per hour.

Foundry Engineer

Lightmatter

Mountain View, CA

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

The person in this role will be a technology development and manufacturing team member working on planning, developing foundry process technology, manufacturing and characterization for next-generation Lightmatter products. The team will be creating product-specific silicon manufacturing process flow plan, working with supplier and internal core competency team such as package design team, silicon design teams on qualifying technology nodes, characterizing manufacturing processes and monitoring plan for Lightmatter products from product definition through qualification and high-volume manufacturing. It also involves engaging with design and platform engineering teams in addition to the supply chain organization to influence the definition of the product and to leverage the capabilities of the ecosystem from a manufacturing process perspective.

Responsibilities

  • Lead foundry process technology development, manufacturing strategies and specifications efforts for our highly integrated photonics-based AI platform and our photonics chiplet communication fabric
  • Establish silicon fabrication process coverage metrics and establish yield expectations and monitoring mechanisms
  • Provide manufacturing process solutions for integrated digital/analog/photonic/laser devices
  • Work closely with Foundry suppliers to ensure manufacturing output specifications are being met
  • Collaborate with the Design-For-Manufacturing (DFM) team early in the design process
  • Develop silicon technology and capability roadmap to support Lightmatter product requirement. 
  • Develop initial product fabrication qualification and execution plan
  • Establish metrics and methodology to characterize and ensure reliable product operation at customer sites over the expected product lifetime
  • Collaborate with design and /layout team to coordinate product tapeout to foundry.

Qualifications 

  • Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Materials Engineering/Science, Mechanical Engineering or other related fields
  • At least 8 years of industry experience with at least 5 years of silicon process experience
  • Experience bringing products from first silicon to production
  • Strong knowledge of working and collaborating with a foundry 
  • Experience with Silicon foundry processes, technologies, control plan and failures related to Silicon. 
  • Exposure to packaging technology with understanding of assembly processes, packaging materials, quality and reliability standards, and packaging failure mechanism etc is preferred

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience in foundry manufacturing process or process development/integration engineer in any fab foundries
  • Experience in photonics laser foundry and package integration
  • Master's or Phd in chemistry, materials sciences or physics.

Apply