Vacuum Furnace Technician

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Job Description Summary GE Aerospace operates three cutting-edge manufacturing facilities in the Muskegon area. Our plants are home to high performance teams who are creating quality High Pressure Turbine Nozzles, Low Pressure Turbine Nozzles, and Shrouds for use in commercial and military aircraft engines. The manufacturing processes we use include High Speed Grinding, Brazing / Heat Treat, In-machine deburr, Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) such as Conventional, Speed Drills, CNC and Wire as well as Ultrasonic Cleaning and VPA Coating. As the Vacuum Furnace Technician, you will provide engineering support associated with the manufacturing process, including driving improvements that impact vacuum furnace maintenance events and overall equipment reliability. This position will directly influence departmental operations through planning and execution, with some autonomy while operating within an established discipline governed by standard functional practices and procedures. In this role, you will report to the Senior Metallurgical Engineer and may require judgment, typically exercised with guidance. This position will require up to 25% travel. Job Description Roles and Responsibilities: Serve as the site expert on vacuum furnace operation, maintenance, and repair, defining and controlling process conditions, tooling, and equipment settings to ensure safe, reliable performance Lead troubleshooting and repair of vacuum furnaces, using advanced diagnostics, root cause analysis, and TPM principles to reduce unplanned downtime and chronic equipment-related losses Partner closely with maintenance and machine repair teams to plan and execute preventive and predictive maintenance, develop PM routines, and optimize spare parts strategies for critical furnace assets Collaborate with engineers, team coaches, and business leaders to align furnace capability with production requirements, SQDC targets, and value stream plans, escalating risks and proposing data-driven solutions Coach operators and frontline teams on autonomous maintenance, equipment care, abnormal condition recognition, and standard work adherence to build ownership and improve equipment reliability Required Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university (or a high school diploma / GED with a minimum of 4 years of hands-on vacuum furnace maintenance and repair experience) At least an additional 3 years of hands-on vacuum furnace maintenance and repair experience Desired Characteristics: Extensive hands-on experience in the operation, maintenance, and repair of industrial vacuum furnaces in a manufacturing environment Demonstrated expertise in troubleshooting furnace issues, interpreting furnace charts/data, and restoring equipment to stable, capable operation Strong understanding of heat treat processes, metallurgy basics, and the relationship between furnace performance, product quality, and safety Experience/expertise in vacuum furnace operation, maintenance, and repair, including advanced diagnostics, refurbishment, and rebuild techniques Strong total productive maintenance (TPM) mindset with a track record of building operator ownership, preventive/predictive maintenance routines, and early equipment management practices Experience/ability to train, coach, and influence both operators and maintenance personnel, fostering shared accountability for equipment care and reliability Experience/ability to work effectively across a wide range of stakeholders, including maintenance/machine repair, engineers, team coaches, business leaders, and site leadership Commitment to safety and disciplined execution of maintenance procedures, lockout/tagout, and other critical safeguards Experience/skill in structured problem solving and waste identification (DOWNTIME), using data to eliminate chronic equipment-related defects, waiting, and extra processing in the value stream Comfortable working "door-to-door" across the process, from Genba on the shop floor to discussions with engineers, team coaches, business leaders, and site leadership, with strong interpersonal and influencing skills Humble: respectful, receptive, agile, eager to learn Transparent: shares critical information, speaks with candor, contributes constructively Focused: quick learner, strategically prioritizes work, committed Leadership ability: strong communicator, decision-maker, collaborative Problem solver: analytical-minded, challenges existing processes, critical thinker GE Aerospace offers comprehensive benefits and programs to support your health and, along with programs like HealthAhead, your physical, emotional, financial and social wellbeing. Healthcare benefits include medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage; access to a Health Coach from GE Aerospace; and the Employee Assistance Program, which provides 24/7 confidential assessment, counseling and referral services. Retirement benefits include the GE Aerospace Retirement Savings Plan, a

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