Heat treating

Position Summary

Responsible for running heat-treating furnaces/ovens and industrial X-ray or radiographic testing equipment. This role ensures that metal parts and assemblies meet strict mechanical hardness specifications and are free from internal flaws, cracks, or voids post-treatment. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Key Responsibilities

• Heat Treat Operations: Set up and operate furnaces, induction systems, or vacuum chambers to temper, anneal, harden, or stress-relieve metal components. [1]
• X-Ray & NDT Inspection: Operate industrial X-ray machines, radiographic imaging units, or spectrometers to analyze post-heat-treat or welded parts for internal metallurgical defects. [1, 2, 3]
• Parameter Monitoring: Track furnace temperatures, soak times, cooling cycles, and gas atmospheres using gauges, charts, and digital controllers. [1, 2]
• Quality & Testing: Perform hardness tests, inspect grain structures, and interpret X-ray/radiographic films or digital scans against engineering blueprints. [1, 2]
• Documentation: Record batch tracking data, heat treatment charts, calibration logs, and NDT inspection reports for quality assurance compliance. [1, 2]
• Safety & Compliance: Adhere strictly to OSHA, industrial safety, and radiation safety protocols (including lead shielding, dosimetry badges, and PPE). [1]
• Equipment Maintenance: Perform routine preventive maintenance and calibration checks on furnaces, thermocouples, and X-ray generators. [1, 2]

Qualifications & Requirements

• Education: High school diploma or GED required; technical/vocational training, an associate degree, or certification in metallurgy, materials science, or NDT preferred. [1, 2, 3]
• Certifications:
• ASNT Level I or Level II certification in Radiographic Testing (RT).
• State or federal radiation safety certification for industrial radiography. [1, 2]
• Experience: 1 to 3+ years working in a heat-treating plant, metallurgical lab, or industrial manufacturing environment. [1, 2]
• Technical Skills:
• Familiarity with heat-treating cycles (preheat, quenching, post-weld heat treatment).
• Proficiency in reading X-ray/radiographic images and blueprint schematics.
• Knowledge of hardness testers and thermal calibration tools. [1, 2, 3, 4]
• Physical Demands: Ability to stand for extended shifts, work in hot/loud industrial conditions, and lift up to 50 lbs. [1, 2]