Furnace Technician - Melt Center

Job Description

Tesla is seeking a Furnace Technician to partner with Engineers, Maintenance, and Associates to successfully operate melting furnaces. The Furnace Technician position is critical to ensuring the reliability and success of Tesla’s manufacturing operations. This role requires someone who is extremely safety oriented and comfortable working in extreme elements. A strong drive to learn new skills and acquire knowledge will improve your likelihood of succeeding both in this role and your personal career development at Tesla.

Job Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain stack melting and holding furnaces, including charging, ensuring consistent metal delivery to the DCM, and recording charge weights and additives for quality control
• Lead cleaning, refractory repairs (launders, ladles), and maintenance of furnaces, tools, and molten metal pump assemblies to sustain equipment life and improve metal quality
• Train and oversee team members in cleaning activities, safety protocols (LOTO, 5-S, Arc Flash), and permit compliance for melting operations, always leading by example
• Collaborate with maintenance and engineering to minimize downtime, implement process/equipment improvements, and optimize raw material handling, storage, and floor space efficiency
• Manage metal chemistry and treatment processes, ensuring specifications are met by conducting checks, adding master alloys, and directing Furnace Technician I as needed
• Oversee recycling and remelting processes, including efficient charging, ladle activities, and metal recovery (fluxing, dross skimming, recovery) to reduce raw material costs
• Operate furnace tending machines, discharge vehicles, and bulk material loading systems while ensuring adherence to SOPs for dross bin management and inventory control

Job Requirements

• 3+ years of experience in a manufacturing / mass production environment or equivalent experience
• 1+ year of experience in aluminum melting operations
• Ability to manage workload while contributing to a positive, fast paced, team-oriented work environment
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and 5S principles
• Skilled with the use of a variety of hand tools and basic measurement tools
• Detail oriented with strong record-keeping and organizational skills

Essential Physical Demands

• Ability to perform physically demanding work for extended periods of time, up to 12 hours a day
• Ability to stand and walk for up to 12 hours a day, including over varied and uneven terrain
• Frequently and repetitively lift, push, and carry up to 35 lbs., including the ability to carry 20 lbs. up and down stairs
• Frequently and repetitively bend, lift, and reach to install parts
• Stoop, lay, bend, reach, squat, kneel, crouch, twist, and crawl for extended periods of time, including up to 12 hours a day
• Climb and maintain balance on ladders, scaffolding, or other high structures
• Ability to identify issues in a work process and receive safety signals using sight, touch, and hearing
• Potential exposure to confined spaces, elevated heat, and hazardous materials
• Wear Personal Protective Equipment, including but not limited to: safety glasses, safety shoes, bump caps, arm protection, hearing protection, and adhere to prescribed safety rules and guidelines