Combustion Specialist

Service Center Metals (SCM) is a state-of-the-art, 24/7 aluminum casting and extrusion facility near Richmond, VA, and one of Virginia’s fastest-growing manufacturers. Safety is our #1 priority, supported by our commitment to superior product quality, operational efficiency, and exceptional customer service. As we continue to grow, we are seeking an experienced Combustion Specialist to join our team.

The Combustion Specialist is responsible for installing, troubleshooting, maintaining, optimizing, and commissioning industrial combustion systems used in scrap melting, heat treatment, casting, and extrusion operations. This position supports burners, combustion controls, fuel systems, air systems, furnaces, ovens, and associated process-control equipment to ensure safe, reliable, efficient, and consistent operation.

Key Responsibilities

Install, start up, commission, troubleshoot, and maintain industrial combustion systems. Service and optimize burners used in: Scrap-melting furnaces Reverbatory and holding furnaces Heat-treatment furnaces and ovens Preheating systems Billet and die-heating systems Casting and extrusion equipment Diagnose and repair burner, ignition, flame-supervision, fuel-train, combustion-air, and exhaust-system problems.

Set up and tune air-to-fuel ratios to improve temperature uniformity, fuel efficiency, emissions, and product quality. Troubleshoot combustion controls, including flame safeguards, programmable logic controllers, temperature controllers, actuators, valves, pressure switches, and instrumentation. Perform combustion analysis using portable analyzers and other diagnostic equipment.

Verify proper operation of natural gas, propane, oxygen-enriched, and mixed-fuel systems, as applicable. Inspect and maintain gas trains, regulators, filters, solenoid valves, safety shutoff valves, pressure switches, piping, and leak-detection systems. Support furnace and oven temperature surveys, burner balancing, refractory-related troubleshooting, and process optimization.

Interpret electrical schematics, P&IDs, burner-management-system drawings, control logic, and equipment manuals. Assist with furnace rebuilds, burner replacements, control upgrades, and new equipment installations. Conduct preventive and predictive maintenance activities. Document service work, test results, settings, repairs, and recommendations.

Train operators and maintenance personnel on proper equipment operation and basic troubleshooting. Work closely with maintenance, engineering, production, environmental, and safety teams. Follow all applicable OSHA, NFPA, company, and site-specific safety requirements. Participate in emergency response and equipment-recovery efforts when required.

Travel to customer or plant locations as needed (travel less than 5% of the time) Required Qualifications: Minimum of 5 years of industrial combustion experience Hands-on experience with industrial combustion equipment, burners, furnaces, ovens, or process heating systems. Knowledge of natural gas and fuel-gas systems, combustion principles, and industrial safety practices.

Ability to troubleshoot electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, instrumentation, and control-system issues. Ability to read electrical schematics, P&IDs, wiring diagrams, and technical manuals. Experience using combustion analyzers, multimeters, manometers, and other diagnostic tools. Strong mechanical and electrical aptitude.

Ability to work safely around high temperatures, industrial gases, energized equipment, and heavy manufacturing equipment. Willingness to work overtime, shutdowns, weekends, and emergency call-outs when necessary. High school diploma or equivalent; technical school, apprenticeship, or associate degree preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in aluminum, steel, foundry, casting, extrusion, or heat-treatment operations. Experience with reverb, regenerative systems, rotary, crucible, walking-beam, or batch, multi chamber furnaces. Experience with low-NOx, regenerative, recuperative, oxygen-fuel, or high-velocity burners. Familiarity with Honeywell, Firey, Siemens, Eclipse, Maxon, Hauck, Selas, Fives, or similar combustion equipment.

Experience with PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, temperature-control systems, and burner-management systems. Knowledge of NFPA 86, NFPA 54, OSHA requirements, or applicable local fuel-gas codes. Experience with combustion emissions testing and environmental compliance. Gas-fitter, electrical, instrumentation, or other relevant certifications.

Core Competencies: Industrial combustion troubleshooting Burner setup and tuning Furnace and oven controls Electrical and instrumentation diagnostics Preventive maintenance Safety and regulatory compliance Technical documentation Problem-solving and root-cause analysis Ability to work independently and as part of a team Physical Requirements: Ability to stand, walk, climb, bend, kneel, and work in confined or elevated areas.

Ability to lift and handle tools, components, and equipment weighing up to approximately 50 pounds. Ability to wear required PPE, including respiratory, hearing, eye, face, heat-resistant, and fall-protection equipment. Ability to work in hot, noisy, dusty, and industrial environments. This is a fully on-site position in Prince George, VA.

Benefits

Vacation and Sick Pay 401K with company match Health Savings Plan with company match Life Insurance Gym Membership discount Free on-site health clinic Employee Assistance Program Advancement opportunities Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance