Maintenance Refractory Technician

About Kennametal

With over 80 years as an industrial technology leader, Kennametal Inc. delivers productivity to customers through materials science, tooling and wear-resistant solutions. Customers across aerospace and defense, earthworks, energy, general engineering and transportation turn to Kennametal to help them manufacture with precision and efficiency. Every day approximately 8,700 employees are helping customers in nearly 100 countries stay competitive. Kennametal generated $2.1 billion in revenues in fiscal 2023. Learn more at www.kennametal.com. Follow @Kennametal: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Maintenance Refractory Technician 

1st shift (M-F) 6am - 2pm

Job Summary and Mission:
Build, maintain, and repair furnaces, ladles, and pouring spouts, using refractory clay, ensuring that these components operate efficiently and safely, helping to prevent heat loss, corrosion, and damage. This position reports to the maintenance department and will support machine maintenance as needed.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Reline or repair furnaces, ladles, and pour spouts with refractory clay, using trowels. 
• Chip slag from linings of furnaces and ladles or remove linings when beyond repair, using pneumatic chisels. 
• Performs furnace refractory repairs.
• Produces tundish pots and spud molds. 
• Evaluates damaged furnaces and maintains them within prescribed specifications. 
• Install refractory using pneumatic ramming hammer. 
• Remove refractory using pneumatic chisel. 
• Monitor inventory levels and replenish. 
• Troubleshoot and perform necessary repairs on existing equipment, as needed. 

Required Experience:

• Must have High school diploma or GED. 
• Previous refractory experience preferred.

Work Environment:

• Environment with hot and cold temperatures (non-climate controlled). 
• Dust collection system throughout the facility. 
• Exposure to high temperatures. 
• Must work in small spaces. 
• Working with refractory material that may soil uniforms.   

Physical Demands:

• This position requires standing for extended periods and frequent stooping, squatting, climbing, reaching, bending, twisting, and accessing small areas. 
• Must be able to use power tools and operate cranes/hoists. 
• Must be able to lift/push/pull up to 33 lbs. 
• Must wear the required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - safety glasses, safety shoes with metatarsal protection, hearing protection, respiratory protection, and other PPE as required.

Problem Solving:

• Assignments and instructions communicated orally and carried out by standing guidelines. 
• Alert to unusual problems and be aware of what actions are needed to resolve the problems. 
• Latitude used when solving problems that do not fall into already established, standing guidelines and written and verbal instructions. 

Equal Opportunity Employer