U.S. Thermal & Heat Processing Careers – Engineering, Operations & Technical Jobs
Industry Overview - Thermal and heat processing systems are fundamental across U.S. industrial operations, delivering controlled heating and thermal energy to manufacture, treat, and refine materials. These systems are used in metals, chemicals, food production, advanced manufacturing, and energy sectors, providing precision heating, drying, curing, and sterilization processes.
At Industrial Recruitment Group (IRG), we cover technical, engineering, and commercial roles across the full thermal and heat processing supply chain. From equipment design and installation to operation, maintenance, and commercial management, we connect clients with the skilled professionals needed to optimize efficiency, safety, and reliability.
Key Industries Served
- Metals & Materials Manufacturing: Heat treatment, annealing, tempering, and sintering- Chemical & Petrochemical: Drying, calcining, reactor heating, and thermal separation- Food & Beverage Processing: Baking, roasting, sterilization, pasteurization, dehydration- Advanced Manufacturing: Thermal treatment of composites, plastics, ceramics, and electronics components- Energy & Utilities: Boilers, thermal storage, and steam generation for power and industrial plants
Equipment & Systems We Cover
Industrial ovens, kilns, and furnaces
Heat exchangers and thermal transfer systems
Boilers, steam systems, and CHP units
Thermal fluid heaters and burners
Retorts, dryers, and curing equipment
Rotary kilns and continuous processing systems
Control systems, PLCs, and automation integration
Sensors and monitoring systems for temperature, pressure, and flow
Roles We Recruit
Engineering & Technical
Thermal Systems Engineers
Process & Chemical Engineers
Mechanical & Electrical Engineers
Controls & Instrumentation Engineers
Design & CAD Engineers
Project & Commissioning Engineers
Operations & Production
Plant Operators & Supervisors
Heat Treatment Operators
Process Technicians
Maintenance Technicians & Service Engineers
Reliability & Asset Engineers
Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO)
Service Technicians
Electrical & Instrumentation Technicians
Mechanical Maintenance Engineers
Rotating Equipment & Pump Specialists
Burner & Combustion System Technicians
Commercial & Office-Based Roles
Technical Sales Engineers
Account Managers & Business Development Specialists
Product & Service Managers
Inside Sales & Customer Support
Procurement & Commercial Specialists
Quality, Safety & Compliance
QA/QC Engineers & Inspectors
HSE Managers & Safety Officers
Environmental Compliance Specialists
Regulatory Affairs Specialists
Leadership & Executive
Plant & Operations Managers
Service & Technical Managers
VP of Operations / VP of Sales
COO, CEO, CFO, CTO
Health, Safety & Compliance
OSHA regulations for safe operation and handling of heat systems
NFPA standards for industrial fire safety
ASME & ANSI codes for pressure vessels, furnaces, and thermal equipment
Environmental compliance for emissions, effluent, and waste handling
Internal safety protocols and risk assessments for high-temperature operations
Key Employers & Industry Leaders
Industrial Furnace & Kiln Manufacturers
Heat Treatment & Metal Processing Plants
Food & Beverage Thermal Process Facilities
Advanced Materials & Composites Producers
Energy & Utility Providers
Skills & Competencies
Thermal system design and operation
Mechanical and electrical troubleshooting
PLC/SCADA programming and process automation
Predictive, preventive, and reactive maintenance
Process optimization and energy efficiency
Compliance with safety and environmental standards
Project management and commissioning
Future Trends & Industry Outlook
Energy Efficiency: Waste heat recovery, low-emission burners, and VSD integration
Automation & Digitalization: Predictive maintenance, IoT sensors, and advanced control systems
Advanced Materials Processing: Composites, ceramics, and additive manufacturing
Sustainability: Reducing emissions, using renewable energy, and improving thermal efficiency
Industry 4.0 Integration: Data-driven operations, smart thermal systems, and remote monitoring.
