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Refractory Operator Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

UNACEM North America

LABORER

Tehachapi, CA

$17 - $21.25/hr

Concrete and Refractory Work: Mix and handle concrete and refractory materials as needed. Elevated ... Departmental Support: Assist departmental control room operators and perform other assigned duties.

Arbor Energy

R&D Process Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$140K - $155K/yr

... refractory-lined reactors, ash- or solids-handling, or other high-temperature, high-pressure, fouling-prone systems. * Hands-on operating experience in a pilot plant, test stand, hardware startup ...

Veridiam

CNC Machinist I

El Cajon, CA · On-site

... refractory metals, and specialty stainless steels ensures reliable, mission-ready products for our ... Minimum one (1) year CNC machine operator experience or equivalent of education and experience.

Tempo

Engineering Technician

San Diego, CA

$20.14 - $22.88/hr

The platform enables industrial operators to shift energy use over time by sourcing power when it ... Work with high-temperature and specialty materials (refractory metals, ceramics, alloys) to meet ...

Tempo

Engineering Technician

San Diego, CA

$24.04 - $25.91/hr

The platform enables industrial operators to shift energy use over time by sourcing power when it ... Work with high-temperature and specialty materials (refractory metals, ceramics, alloys) to meet ...

Doncasters

Tundish Builder

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$25.76 - $27.82/hr

At Doncasters we currently have an exciting opportunity for a Tundish Builder Operator to join our ... Sort refractory from the used furnace linings and tundishes to be reused in tundishes * Maintain ...

Solcoa Industries

Research Engineer

Alameda, CA · On-site

Nuclear engineering research: molten-salt chemistries, materials compatibility, graphite/refractory ... operating envelopes. * Apply thermochemical modeling (CALPHAD/Thermo-Calc/FactSage/HSC) and phase ...

Arbor Energy

R&D Process Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

... refractory-lined reactors, ash- or solids-handling, or other high-temperature, high-pressure, fouling-prone systems. * Hands-on operating experience in a pilot plant, test stand, hardware startup ...

Arbor Energy

R&D Process Engineer

El Segundo, CA

... refractory-lined reactors, ash- or solids-handling, or other high-temperature, high-pressure, fouling-prone systems. * Hands-on operating experience in a pilot plant, test stand, hardware startup ...

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All JobsRefractory Operator JobsRefractory Operator Jobs in California

Refractory Operator information

Why were 92,000 jobs lost?

Refractory operators, like many manufacturing and industrial roles, experienced job losses due to economic downturns, automation, and shifts in industry demand. These factors can lead to plant closures or reduced production, impacting employment levels in the sector.

What is a refractory worker job description?

A refractory worker is responsible for installing, repairing, and maintaining refractory materials that line high-temperature industrial furnaces and kilns. They read blueprints, handle materials safely, and use tools such as trowels, mixers, and cutting equipment. The job often requires physical strength, attention to safety protocols, and knowledge of thermal insulation properties.

What is the difference between Refractory Operator vs Furnace Operator?

AspectRefractory OperatorFurnace Operator
CredentialsHigh school diploma, safety training, sometimes certifications in refractory installationHigh school diploma, safety training, often certifications in furnace operation
Work EnvironmentFactories, plants handling refractory materials, high-temperature areasIndustrial furnaces, metal or chemical manufacturing facilities
Industry UsageConstruction, steel, cement, glass industriesMetallurgy, chemical processing, manufacturing

Refractory Operators focus on installing, maintaining, and repairing refractory materials to withstand high temperatures, often working in construction or manufacturing environments. Furnace Operators primarily operate and monitor industrial furnaces in manufacturing settings. While both roles require safety training and similar certifications, their specific tasks and work environments differ, with Refractory Operators specializing in refractory materials and Furnace Operators managing furnace operations.

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

To thrive as a Refractory Operator, you need a solid understanding of materials handling, furnace operations, and safety protocols, often supported by a high school diploma or vocational training. Familiarity with industrial equipment, temperature control systems, and basic maintenance tools is typically required. Attention to detail, teamwork, and strong problem-solving abilities are valuable soft skills in this role. These skills are crucial for ensuring efficient, safe, and high-quality refractory processes in demanding industrial environments.

What are Refractory Operators?

Refractory Operators are skilled workers responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing refractory materials—heat-resistant materials used to line furnaces, kilns, reactors, and other high-temperature processing equipment. Their duties include preparing surfaces, mixing and applying refractory materials, and inspecting linings for wear and damage. They play a crucial role in industries such as steel, glass, cement, and petrochemicals, where equipment must withstand extreme temperatures. Safety awareness and attention to detail are essential in this role because incorrect installation can lead to equipment failure or workplace hazards.

What jobs pay $700 a day?

Refractory operators in specialized industrial settings can sometimes earn around $700 per day, especially with overtime, experience, or in high-demand environments. Such roles often require safety training, technical skills, and adherence to strict safety protocols. High-paying industrial or construction jobs may also reach this daily rate for skilled workers with certifications.

What are the typical challenges faced by a Refractory Operator during furnace maintenance, and how are they addressed?

Refractory Operators often face challenges such as working in high-temperature environments, handling heavy and abrasive materials, and ensuring the proper installation and repair of refractory linings. These tasks require strict adherence to safety protocols, careful attention to detail, and frequent collaboration with maintenance and engineering teams. Operators address these challenges by using specialized protective equipment, following established procedures, and participating in regular safety and technical training to maintain efficiency and minimize downtime.

What jobs pay 4000 a week without a degree?

Refractory operators can earn around $4,000 per week with experience and overtime, especially in industrial or manufacturing settings. These roles typically require technical skills, safety training, and familiarity with heavy equipment, but often do not require a college degree. High-paying positions in skilled trades or specialized manufacturing can also reach this level without formal higher education.
What are popular job titles related to Refractory Operator jobs in California? For Refractory Operator jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Refractory Operator jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Refractory Operator jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Refractory Operator jobs? Cities in California with the most Refractory Operator job openings:
Refractory Operator jobs near you
Senior Instrumentation Systems Engineer

Senior Instrumentation Systems Engineer

Rondo Energy

Alameda, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Senior Instrumentation Systems Engineer to lead the design and integration of measurement systems for high-temperature industrial energy storage equipment. This role owns the architecture and implementation of temperature, pressure, and flow instrumentation throughout the system, ensuring reliable operation in extreme thermal and electrical environments.
The ideal candidate combines deep instrumentation expertise with strong mechanical integration skills and is comfortable collaborating across thermal, electrical, refractory, insulation, structural, manufacturing, and controls subsystems to develop robust, manufacturable solutions.
What You'll Do (responsibilities include but are not limited to):
  • Lead the design and integration of instrumentation systems for high-temperature equipment operating at temperatures up to 1500°C.
  • Select, specify, and validate temperature, pressure, and flow measurement devices for harsh industrial environments.
  • Develop instrumentation architectures spanning thermocouples and other sensing technologies, wiring and harness systems, penetrations, electrical interfaces, and controls system integration.
  • Design thermocouple installations that ensure measurement accuracy, long-term reliability, maintainability, and manufacturability.
  • Define routing, attachment, strain relief, protection, and installation methods for instrumentation wiring, harnesses, and medium-voltage-adjacent cable systems.
  • Design instrumentation interfaces through insulation systems, refractory assemblies, structural components, pressure boundaries, and equipment casings.
  • Collaborate closely with thermal, heater, refractory, insulation, structural, electrical, and controls teams to incorporate instrumentation requirements early in the design process.
  • Develop solutions for instrumentation integration near high-temperature heating elements and electrically energized components, including appropriate consideration of creepage, clearance, grounding, shielding, and electrical isolation requirements.
  • Establish methods for sensor identification, traceability, installation verification, and error-proofing during manufacturing, commissioning, and field installation.
  • Own instrumentation BOMs, specifications, documentation, and configuration management, ensuring component selections, design revisions, and procurement requirements are accurately captured and controlled throughout the product lifecycle.
  • Lead cross-functional instrumentation integration across multiple engineering disciplines, identifying interface gaps, resolving ownership ambiguities, allocating requirements, and driving technical alignment throughout the product lifecycle.
  • Develop validation strategies, support commissioning activities, investigate field issues, and drive continuous improvement in instrumentation reliability and performance.

What You'll Bring:
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related discipline.
  • 8+ years of engineering experience developing instrumentation systems in industrial, energy, aerospace, process, power generation, or similar environments.
  • Deep expertise in industrial instrumentation systems including temperature, pressure, and flow measurement technologies.
  • Strong understanding of high-temperature environments and instrumentation challenges associated with thermal gradients, thermal cycling, and long-term durability.
  • Working knowledge of instrumentation circuits, signal integrity, grounding, shielding, electrical isolation, and related design practices.
  • Experience developing cable routing, harnessing, mounting, strain relief, and protection solutions for industrial equipment.
  • Understanding of electrical safety and reliability considerations including creepage, clearance, ingress protection, and environmental protection methods.
  • Experience integrating instrumentation into complex mechanical systems involving insulation, refractory materials, thermal systems, and structural assemblies.
  • Experience owning engineering BOMs and working cross-functionally with Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Quality teams to support procurement and production activities.
  • Experience using CAD and PLM tools (SolidWorks preferred) to develop instrumentation layouts, cable routing, harness designs, mounting features, and integration details within complex assemblies.
  • Strong understanding of engineering documentation, revision control, configuration management, and change control processes.
  • Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in ambiguous environments, establish alignment across multiple stakeholders, and drive technical decisions across organizational boundaries.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with industrial furnaces, kilns, thermal processing equipment, power generation equipment, or high-temperature energy systems.
  • Experience with medium-voltage electrical systems.
  • Familiarity with IEC, UL, NFPA, and industrial instrumentation standards.
  • Experience designing instrumentation interfaces between field devices, electrical systems, and controls systems.
  • Experience designing cable routing, harness routing, and cable management systems in 3D CAD environments (SolidWorks preferred).
  • Experience developing instrumentation installation standards, engineering best practices, and technical design guidelines.
  • Experience mentoring engineers and providing technical leadership within multidisciplinary engineering teams.

What We Offer:
  • Comprehensive Medical Benefits
  • Dental & Vision Benefits
  • Life Insurance and ADD
  • Up to 13 paid holidays per year, in addition to a company week-long holiday in December
  • Flexible time off policy
  • Catered lunches on-site
  • 401(k) plan with company match
  • Rondo HQ is close to Oakland airport - one block from the Bay - and has stunning Bay views!

This role necessitates being on-site at our Alameda HQ several times per week. The estimated annual salary range for this role is $180,000 to $200,000 and it would be eligible for Rondo's excellent benefits listed above plus additional compensation in the form of equity. Please note that some pay bands may have wide ranges of compensation to accommodate candidates' diverse sets of skill levels and experience.
About the Company
We are transforming industrial decarbonization with our innovative Rondo Heat Battery technology. Rondo is deploying low-cost, zero-carbon Rondo Heat Batteries to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy and to significantly decarbonize industrial processes that are commonly thought of as "difficult-to-decarbonize". Our heat batteries charge from intermittent renewables to provide high temperature, continuous heat for customers safely, reliably, at an unprecedented 98% efficiency - and at a cost point that is lower than any other method.
Our technology is designed to replace fossil-fired boilers. By enabling industries to adopt renewable energy without costly factory changes, we are accelerating the transition to a sustainable future. With over $160 million in funding and partnerships across critical industrial sectors, Rondo is scaling rapidly to meet global demand.
Rondo Energy is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a supportive and inclusive workplace where contributions are valued and celebrated, and our employees thrive by being themselves and are inspired to do their best work. We seek applicants of all backgrounds and identities, across race, color, ethnicity, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or parental status, or disability. Applicants will not be discriminated against based on these or other protected categories or social identities.
Rondo is committed to the full inclusion of all applicants. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please let our recruiting team know.
We proactively work to design hiring processes that promote equity and inclusion while mitigating bias.
Note to Recruitment Agencies: Rondo does not accept unsolicited agency resumes. Furthermore, Rondo Energy does not pay placement fees for candidates submitted by any agency other than its approved partners.

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