From pipe components to engine parts, the vast majority of all manufactured goods start as metal castings in a foundry. This makes these facilities vital to the manufacturing process. The professionals who work in a foundry create both functional and decorative metal objects. 

Crafting these metal objects is an extensive process that involves pouring liquid metal into a mold. As you might imagine, the metal has to be heated to extremely high temperatures (above 2600 degrees Fahrenheit!) to be melted.

Foundry workers 3D print with sand to create molds, melt the metal, pour it into molds, cool it, then remove the metal from the molds before cleaning the object and applying any finishing touches. Foundry employees must create molds, cast and monitor the metal, and maintain the equipment necessary for the process. Their jobs require physical strength and scientific knowledge. If you have both brains and brawn, a foundry job could be an excellent fit!

Working in a foundry is an incredibly valuable experience. It will set you up for some exciting career opportunities. Here are a few of the top foundry jobs (and some jobs outside of foundries) you could land with the help of a metal casting background. 

1. Metallurgist

A metallurgist is the person responsible for manipulating metals to create specific shapes or properties. They most commonly work in aerospace and parts manufacturing, but they may also work in architectural engineering, scientific research, electronic component manufacturing or the federal government. They must have a strong scientific background and be able to review relevant peer research.

2. Process engineer 

From dairy products to cosmetics – in a way, a process engineer is like a chef in a manufacturing facility who uses chemical and biochemical processes to turn raw materials into a finished product. To succeed as a process engineer, you’ll need to have excellent troubleshooting skills, a strong understanding of chemical engineering and a knack for process improvement.

3. Quality control engineer

Quality control engineers get paid to be perfectionists at work, ensuring that every item meets high quality standards. The items they check for quality purposes could be anything from pharmaceuticals to electronics. They might work in a manufacturing facility or in a laboratory, checking for product defects and making sure federal regulations and industry standards are being followed.

4. Foundry technician 

If you can’t get enough of the foundry life, you may want to continue working in this environment after graduation as a foundry technician. These professionals oversee each step of the metal casting process from preparing molds to pouring the metal and conducting quality checks. Successful foundry technicians have a keen eye for detail and strong understanding of the advanced equipment they use on the job.

5. Plant Manager 

Working in a foundry also sets you up to be a plant manager, either at a manufacturing facility or a foundry. These leaders manage the day-to-day manufacturing operations. They ensure work gets done safely and within budget while producing high-quality goods. They optimize each area of the production process.

6. Industrial engineer

From design to development and testing, industrial engineers oversee the industrial production process. Some of the sectors they work in include transportation equipment manufacturing, electronics manufacturing and machinery manufacturing. This career is on track to grow much faster than most, making it a great way to put your foundry skills to work.