Metallurgical Thermal Processing Technician

Job Description

Job Description

About the role

Picture a shift where you transform raw steel into rail-ready components with precision. As a Thermal Processing Technician at Amsted Rail Petersburg, you’ll set, operate, and tend heat-treatment equipment—furnaces, induction systems, flame-hardening machines, soaking pits, and vacuum units—to temper, harden, or anneal metal. You’ll thrive in a collaborative, fast-moving environment where multitasking and teamwork keep production on track.

What a typical night looks like

• Dial in furnace temperature controls to match the specified material and process.
• Stage, load, and unload parts for heat treat; verify routing and process steps.
• Monitor furnace and line performance to ensure adherence to setpoints and operational criteria.
• Interpret blueprints, understand operation sequences, and confirm final dimensions.
• Inspect quality with visual checks, gauges, and SPC tracking; document results.
• Perform hardness tests to validate metallurgical outcomes.
• Complete equipment and tooling set-ups; use hand and power tools to set up presses.
• Remove, clean, and replace tooling to sustain quality and throughput.
• Conduct preventive maintenance and inspections on heat-treat assets and fork trucks.
• Tag and segregate nonconforming parts per quality standards; complete required production and quality records.
• Troubleshoot part compliance and equipment issues, partnering with the Control Room Operator, Specialists, or Maintenance.
• Operate with minimal supervision—producing repeat work and first-run parts within spec.
• Maintain a clean, safe area with daily 6S and housekeeping, including scrap container monitoring.
• Support additional tasks as assigned.

What you’ll need

• Successfully pass a pre-employment drug & background screening
• Able to lift, push, and pull 10–50 lbs.
• Consistent standing and movement across the department and shift.
• Wear employer-provided PPE as required by the department.
• Mechanical aptitude; prior industrial experience is a plus.

Why choose Amsted Rail Petersburg

• Employee ownership with annual stock awards equal to 10% of compensation.
• 401(k) match up to 4% dollar-for-dollar.
• Comprehensive benefits after 30 days: medical, dental, vision, HSA with company contributions, life and disability coverage, plus pet insurance.
• Competitive hourly pay with eligibility for an annual bonus.
• Career growth via on-the-job training, pay-for-skill, and advancement paths.
• Work-life balance: PTO starting at 3 weeks, 11 paid holidays, and a 3-2-2-3 schedule pattern (7:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m.).
• Extras: tuition reimbursement, referral bonuses, and employee discount programs.

Our culture

We win as a team. Expect open communication, safety-first thinking, and hands-on support from leaders and peers to help you master the craft of heat treatment and keep our customers satisfied.

Amsted Rail’s commitment to Affirmative Action:

Amsted Rail is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

To review our EEO Policies or to request assistance please go to and select EEO Compliance/Statements. To learn more about us, please visit us online at