Furnace Operator - Drawn Cup

TITLE

Furnace Operator – Drawn Cup

COMPANY

JTEKT North America

DEPARTMENT

Heat Treat – 45

LOCATION

Sylvania Georgia Facility

CLASSIFICATION

Hourly

REPORTS TO

HT Team Leader / Supervisor

GRADE

6

 REVISION DATE

05/07/2025

  Shift

3^rd (12am-8am)

Summary/Purpose

The Furnace Operator is responsible for the setup and operation of furnaces (AFC, Holcroft, PIFCO) and temper ovens to harden, temper, and stress-relieve metal parts in accordance with customer specifications. This role includes cross-training on other Heat Treat equipment and performing material handling tasks using both manual and powered equipment.

Essential Duties and Accountabilities:

• Actively support and improve 5S practices and workplace safety.
• Determine proper furnace sequences and cycles based on customer requirements.
• Maintain process control through recipe management, SPC charting, and other testing methods.
• Monitor material flow through furnaces and temper ovens according to specifications.
• Load and unload materials into furnaces and ovens.
• Maintain quench oil levels and monitor oil temperatures.
• Adjust gas levels to ensure proper heat control across all heating zones.
• Support 8-D problem-solving activities in the Heat Treat department.
• Retrieve parts from the designated FIFO lane and operate the burnisher loader.
• Operate additional heat-treating equipment as required.
• Train other team members on furnace operations.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• No supervisory responsibilities.

Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; able to collaborate across all organizational levels.
• Adherence to Standard Work Practices with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to stay focused and composed while completing tasks efficiently.
• Capable of managing multiple machines and processes simultaneously.
• Self-motivated and able to work with minimal supervision.
• Basic computer skills for furnace control and quality testing.
• Flexible with work hours, including weekends and different shifts, to cover absences with short notice.

Education and Experience: 

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Must demonstrate good mechanical, reasoning, and problem-solving skills in current job.

Compliance and Ethics

• Ensure JTEKT compliance and ethics standards are maintained in all areas of responsibility
• Safeguard Compliance by following all laws, rules and regulations
• Make Ethical choices when planning specific courses of action
• Comply with OSHA and SDS standards

Work Environment/Physical Demands: 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This position is performed in a manufacturing environment.
• This position has an exposure to moderate noise levels, moving mechanical parts, electrical power distribution and controls, compressed air systems, hydraulic systems, water, and chemicals.
• Will be regularly required to stand, sit, and reach with hands, fingers, and arms.  Occasional stooping, kneeling, and crouching are required.
• This position will be performed in a very hot environment.
• The position will require regular lifting of work up to 40 pounds, and pushing or pulling work up to 150 pounds with the use or material handling equipment.

Employee may perform other duties as requested, directed or assigned.