What You'll Do

  • Read production schedules and work orders to determine processing sequences, furnace temperatures, and heat cycle requirements for objects to be heat-treated.
  • Record times that parts are removed from furnaces to document that objects have attained specified temperatures for specified times.
  • Set up and operate or tend machines, such as furnaces, baths, flame-hardening machines, and electronic induction machines, that harden, anneal, and heat-treat metal.
  • Determine types and temperatures of baths and quenching media needed to attain specified part hardness, toughness, and ductility, using heat-treating charts and knowledge of methods, equipment, and metals.
  • Remove parts from furnaces after specified times, and air dry or cool parts in water, oil brine, or other baths.
  • Position stock in furnaces, using tongs, chain hoists, or pry bars.
  • Instruct new workers in machine operation.
  • Adjust controls to maintain temperatures and heating times, using thermal instruments and charts, dials and gauges of furnaces, and color of stock in furnaces to make setting determinations.
  • Determine flame temperatures, current frequencies, heating cycles, and induction heating coils needed, based on degree of hardness required and properties of stock to be treated.
  • Load parts into containers and place containers on conveyors to be inserted into furnaces, or insert parts into furnaces.

Essential Skills

Operations Monitoring 3.75/5
Operation and Control 3.75/5
Active Listening 3.12/5
Speaking 3.12/5
Monitoring 3.12/5
Quality Control Analysis 3.12/5
Critical Thinking 3.0/5
Equipment Maintenance 3.0/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.0/5
Reading Comprehension 2.88/5
Writing 2.88/5
Mathematics 2.88/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.

Common styles

Dependability, Integrity, Independence, Attention to Detail, Leadership

Want a personal read on fit. Take the free assessment and see your exact compatibility with this career and many related roles.

Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Arm-Hand Steadiness 3.75/5
Multilimb Coordination 3.62/5
Reaction Time 3.62/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.5/5
Manual Dexterity 3.5/5
Near Vision 3.5/5
Control Precision 3.38/5
Static Strength 3.38/5

Technologies & Tools

Enterprise resource planning ERP software Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Word SAP software

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Dependability (High importance: 4.15/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 4.05/5)
  • Independence (High importance: 3.95/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 3.92/5)
  • Leadership (High importance: 3.92/5)

Want to see how YOUR work style matches this career?

Take Free 15-Min Assessment →

How to Become One

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful but is usually not required. Training is often provided on the job.

Similar Careers to Explore

Insulation Workers, Mechanical

99.9% similar profile

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

99.9% similar profile

Hazardous Materials Removal Workers

99.9% similar profile

Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners

99.9% similar profile

Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians

99.9% similar profile

Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders

99.9% similar profile

Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood

99.9% similar profile

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

99.9% similar profile

Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Annealer Annealing Furnace Operator Annealing Furnace Tender Annealing Oven Operator Annealing Torch Operator Bagger Base-Draw Operator Batch Heat Treat Operator Batch Operator Billet Heater Billet Heater Operator Box Annealer Burner Burner Machine Operator Carbonizer Carburizing Furnace Operator Case Hardener Charger Charger Operator Coating Line Worker Crack Off Person Cyanide Case Hardener Cyanide Furnace Operator Cyanide Pot Hardener Cyanide Pot Tender Dental Amalgam Processor Die Hardener Draw Fire Operator Face Hardener Fagot Heater Flame Annealing Machine Setter Flame Hardener Flame Hardening Machine Operator Flame Hardening Machine Setter Forge Heater Furnace Feeder Furnace Operator Hardener Heat Regulator Heat Treat Furnace Operator Heat Treat Operator Heat Treat Technician Heat Treater Heat Treating Bluer Heat Treating Furnace Tender Heat Treating Operator Hot Mill Worker Induction Heat Treater Induction Machine Operator Induction Machine Setter Melting Operator Metal and Plastic Heater Metal and Plastic Heating Equipment Setter Metal Annealer Metal Hardener Metal Temperer Metal Treater Muffle Operator Normalizer Parts Processor Peelman Pit Furnace Operator Plate Furnace Operator Pre Batch Operator Preparatory Technician Production Hardener Pulpit Operator Pusher Quenching Machine Operator Reach Operator Reheater Rivet Heater Scarf and Anneal Operator Sheet Heater Sinter Feeder Slab Depiler Operator Soaking Pit Operator Spike Machine Heater Steel Heater Stove Tender Temperer Tempering Oven Operator Thermoforming Operator Tool Hardener Torch Operator Tube Heater Wire Annealer Wire Temperer