Freelance Operational Technology Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Location: Cleveland, OH

Cleveland-Cliffs Steel LLC has an immediate opening for an Operations Technology Engineer in the Iron Producing department at our Cleveland, Ohio facility. This role is a key technical contributor within autonomous production and maintenance teams, with responsibility for driving safe, reliable, and cost-effective operations while maintaining product quality and process standards.

The Operations Technology Engineer partners closely with operations, maintenance, and leadership to improve equipment performance, develop best practices, and implement continuous and breakthrough improvements across steel producing areas.

Summary of Responsibilities

• Provide technical support to operations, including burden selection, hot blast and fuel control, cast house operations, refractory management, and quality control of hot metal and slag

• Support plant objectives related to safety, environmental compliance, quality, cost control, and production

• Train and provide technical guidance to hourly and salaried employees

• Evaluate operator and process performance and recommend improvements

• Monitor product quality and process results to ensure conformance to specifications

• Analyze material usage, chemical conformance, and cost effectiveness

• Identify root causes of off-chemistry events and implement corrective actions

• Benchmark processes against industry best practices and recommend improvements

• Identify equipment and process changes to support evolving business conditions

• Lead and participate in cross-functional project teams focused on safety, quality, cost, and reliability

• Implement continuous improvement and reliability projects to improve system performance

• Engineer and support new equipment installations and system upgrades

• Develop and document improved operating practices in collaboration with Area Managers

• Troubleshoot equipment and process failures to improve reliability, performance, and cost

• Participate in technical exchanges, knowledge-sharing initiatives, and knowledge transfer activities

• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or engineering technology (Metallurgical, Mechanical, Electrical, Controls, Chemical, or related discipline)

• Experience in steelmaking, manufacturing, industrial, or military technical environment

• Demonstrated ability to apply engineering principles to production, quality, or equipment performance

• Working knowledge of manufacturing processes, process control, or industrial equipment

• Ability to analyze data, troubleshoot process or equipment issues, and implement corrective actions

• Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively with hourly and salaried employees

• Ability to work in a fastpaced, 24/7 operating environment and support offshift or weekend needs as required

• Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in engineering or a related technical discipline
• 3+ years of experience in heavy industry, steelmaking, or continuous process manufacturing
• Experience with steelmaking or ironmaking operations, including an excellent understanding of metallurgical thermodynamics and practical experience with mass and energy balance
• Familiarity with reliability engineering, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, etc.)
• Experience leading or supporting capital projects, equipment upgrades, or process improvement initiatives
• Knowledge of metallurgical principles, chemical process control, or material quality systems
• Proficiency with manufacturing data systems, process monitoring tools, or statistical analysis software

Relocation assistance is not provided for this position.

The salary range for this role is $80,000 to $105,000. An employee's pay within the salary range will be based on numerous factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, experience, skills, geographic location and business or organizational needs.

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. is the largest flat-rolled steel company and the largest iron ore pellet producer in North America. The Company is vertically integrated from mined raw materials, direct reduced iron, and ferrous scrap to primary steelmaking and downstream finishing, stamping, tooling, and tubing. We offer an excellent total compensation package including competitive pay with variable compensation opportunity, health insurance, retirement plan, education assistance, paid time off, and more.

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail tocareers@clevelandcliffs.comor call 1-(312) 899-3097 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Do not email your application materials to this email address. Application materials sent to this email address will not be considered.

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. is an equal opportunity employer - M/F/Veteran/Disability. We are a drug-free workplace and conduct pre-employment screening as a condition of employment.