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Lead Furnace Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

CoorsTek

Kiln/ Furnace Technician I

Golden, CO

$17.50 - $21.75/hr

... lead, supervisor or engineer in the event of issues or concerns regarding kiln and/or furnace equipment or product condition Manually pushes or pulls heavy kiln cars in and out of kilns as needed ...

CoorsTek, Inc.

Kiln/Furnace Tech I

Hillsboro, OR · On-site

$18.50 - $22.75/hr

Notifies lead, supervisor or engineer in the event of issues or concerns regarding kiln and/or furnace equipment or product condition * Manually pushes or pulls heavy kiln cars in and out of kilns as ...

CoorsTek, Inc.

Kiln/Furnace Tech I

Oak Ridge, TN · On-site

$16.25 - $20/hr

... lead, supervisor or engineer in the event of issues or concerns regarding kiln and/or furnace equipment or product condition • Manually pushes or pulls heavy kiln cars in and out of kilns as needed ...

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How much do lead furnace operator jobs pay per hour?

As of May 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for lead furnace operator in the United States is $19.15, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $20.19 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Lead Furnace Operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lead Furnace Operator, you need a solid understanding of metallurgy, furnace operation, safety protocols, and typically a high school diploma or technical certification in a related field. Familiarity with industrial control systems, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and temperature monitoring equipment is crucial. Attention to detail, leadership, and effective communication are vital soft skills for coordinating teams and ensuring safe operations. These skills and qualities are essential for maintaining product quality, workplace safety, and efficient furnace performance in demanding industrial environments.

What are the typical challenges faced by a Lead Furnace Operator, and how can they be managed effectively?

Lead Furnace Operators often encounter challenges such as maintaining optimal furnace temperatures, ensuring the safety of team members, and minimizing equipment downtime. Balancing production targets with strict safety and environmental standards requires strong attention to detail and proactive communication with maintenance and production teams. Developing troubleshooting skills and staying updated on best practices helps operators address issues quickly, ensuring smooth operations and consistent product quality.

What are Lead Furnace Operators?

Lead Furnace Operators are skilled professionals responsible for overseeing the operation of industrial furnaces in manufacturing plants or foundries. They manage the heating process, monitor temperature controls, and ensure the safe and efficient melting or treatment of metals and other materials. In addition, they supervise other furnace operators, maintain equipment, and enforce safety guidelines. Their expertise is crucial for producing high-quality products and minimizing downtime due to equipment failures.

What is the difference between Lead Furnace Operator vs Furnace Operator?

AspectLead Furnace OperatorFurnace Operator
CertificationsTypically requires OSHA safety training, possibly additional certificationsOSHA safety training, basic certifications
Work EnvironmentSupervises furnace operations, oversees safety and efficiencyOperates furnaces directly, follows established procedures
ResponsibilitiesLeads team, monitors equipment, ensures safety complianceMaintains and operates furnaces, performs routine checks

The Lead Furnace Operator generally has more supervisory duties and oversees furnace operations, while the Furnace Operator focuses on direct operation and maintenance of furnaces. Both roles require safety training and industry-specific knowledge, but the lead position involves additional leadership responsibilities.

More about Lead Furnace Operator jobs
What job categories do people searching Lead Furnace Operator jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Lead Furnace Operator jobs are:
Lead Furnace Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lead Furnace Operator job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 99% Full Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 85% Physical, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,824 per year, or $19.1 per hour.
Kiln/ Furnace Technician I

Kiln/ Furnace Technician I

CoorsTek

Golden, CO

$17.50 - $21.75/hr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago

CoorsTek rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 26 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

It's exciting to work for a company that makes the world measurably better.

We're committed to bringing safety, quality, and customer focus to the business of advanced ceramics manufacturing.

Job Title

Kiln/ Furnace Technician IResponsible for maintaining kiln performance through performing and documenting accurate kiln and/or furnace firing operations, kiln/furnace maintenance and loading and unloading of kilns and/or furnaces.

Roles & Responsibilities

Under moderate supervision, performs and documents kiln and or furnace operations following approved work instructions and established department procedures for efficient use of kiln and/or furnace capacity

Takes incremental readings and maintains firing within specifications for all kiln and/or furnaces

Monitors and makes corrections to kiln and/or furnace push timing utilizing computer software as required

Restarts the kiln and/or furnaces in the event of a power outage or when surge occurs as required

Performs routine basic maintenance operations on kiln and/or furnaces as required

Corrects firing related issues through sandblasting, grinding or other method as needed; notifies appropriate personnel of corrections

Notifies lead, supervisor or engineer in the event of issues or concerns regarding kiln and/or furnace equipment or product condition

Manually pushes or pulls heavy kiln cars in and out of kilns as needed

Loads and unloads product for kiln and/or furnaces up to 80% of the time as needed

Responsible for rebuilding kiln cars including replacing bricking, wheels and bearings per departmental needs

Tracks kiln and/or furnace furniture quality including inventories, reconfiguring and reloading as required; may include visual and dimensional inspection of refractories, beams and SiC plates

Assists and/or performs in any and all areas as assigned May work any and all shifts/days as required

Job Requirements:

Shift:

Days: 6:00am - 6:00pm

Week One: Thursday - Saturday

Week Two: Wednesday - Saturday

Education:

High School diploma, GED or equivalent Experience:

Minimum of 6 months manufacturing/work experience

Functional/Technical Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Knowledgeable in the basic fundamentals of loading ceramics to insure proper loading of a wide variety of materials and part configurations

Good interpersonal and organizational skills, great attention to detail as well as good verbal and written communication skills required

Must have basic math and computer skills

Forklift certification as required by department or facility

Must be able to work with a diverse variety of people from different cultures and backgrounds

Target Hiring Range

Hourly: USD 22.84 - USD 27.62

Actual compensation is commensurate with experience, skills and education. CoorsTek strives to give all qualified applicants equal opportunity and to make selection decisions on job related factors. Do not provide any information on the application which will indicate your race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by law or regulation.

If you like working for a company that makes a real difference in the world, you'll enjoy your career with us!

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