Foundry Engineer Bird Johnson

Mission-Driven. Honor-Bound. Fairbanks Morse Defense. What’s your calling? For the men and women of Fairbanks Morse Defense it’s the rapid and effective support of the fleets that entrust us to design, develop, and deliver the best naval power technology on the planet. We’re one of the nation’s leading marine defense contractors because of the highly trained and dedicated teams that provide reliable power systems, parts, and aftermarket services to the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and Canadian Coast Guard. When you join Fairbanks Morse Defense, you join a legacy of commitment that spans 150 years. Fairbanks Morse Defense offers competitive benefits with a wide range of training and development opportunities. Our world-class teams are dedicated to helping every individual achieve their full potential. Discover what it’s like to be a part of the Fairbanks Morse Defense team here: https://www.fairbanksmorsedefense.com/careers

Foundry Engineer – Metallurgy

Location: Pascagoula, MS
Company: Bird-Johnson – A Fairbanks Morse Defense Company

Job Summary

Join a company where your work directly supports the strength and readiness of the U.S. Navy. As a Foundry Engineer – Metallurgy at Bird-Johnson, you’ll play a critical role in producing large-scale, high-integrity castings used in marine propulsion systems for defense applications. This is more than a manufacturing role, it’s an opportunity to contribute to national security through advanced materials engineering and continuous process innovation.

At our Pascagoula, MS facility, you’ll be part of a legacy brand with over 100 years of excellence in metal casting and naval propulsion. You’ll have hands-on involvement with molding, melting, and casting of bronze and stainless-steel components, while driving improvements through lean practices and modern simulation tools. This role offers direct exposure to cutting-edge foundry technology and a path to long-term technical or leadership growth within a defense-focused organization.

We are a veteran-friendly employer committed to supporting those who have served. We deeply value the leadership, discipline, and technical expertise veterans bring to our mission.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement foundry processes for molding, melting, and casting of new and legacy products.
• Troubleshoot casting issues and initiate corrective actions to maintain product quality and compliance.
• Support daily production operations through process routings, ERP systems, and technical documentation.
• Analyze raw material chemistry to generate accurate furnace charges.
• Apply Lean Manufacturing principles to promote safety, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including engineering, quality, and operations to meet demanding project requirements.

About Bird-Johnson & Fairbanks Morse Defense

Bird-Johnson, a division of Fairbanks Morse Defense, is a historic and highly regarded name in the defense manufacturing space. The Pascagoula facility specializes in large, precision-engineered castings, often ranging from 5 to 80 tons, used in controllable pitch propellers (CPPs) and other marine propulsion systems. Our products power critical naval platforms and contribute directly to the success of U.S. and allied military operations.

Located within proximity to major U.S. shipbuilders, our team supports vital defense programs with rapid responsiveness and production excellence. Foundry operations utilize no-bake molding, bronze and stainless alloys, and simulation tools like MAGMA Flo, ProCAST, and Flow-3D to ensure casting integrity and performance.

Basic Requirements

• Associate’s degree in engineering with 5 years of experience in metal casting or foundry-related manufacturing
  OR
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering with 2 years of experience
  OR
• Master’s degree in engineering with 1 year of experience
  OR
• In lieu of a degree, 9 years of relevant experience in casting/foundry operations

NOFORN Policy

• This position involves access to technical data that is subject to U.S. export control regulations. As such, only U.S. citizens are eligible to apply. This position is designated NOFORN (Not Releasable to Foreign Nationals) under U.S. government security regulations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of bronze alloys and stainless-steel casting practices
• Experience with large castings (5T–80T) and no-bake molding methods
• Six Sigma Green or Black Belt certification
• Background in lean manufacturing environments
• Proficiency with MAGMA Flo, ProCAST, or Flow-3D solidification software

Equal Opportunity Employer

Bird-Johnson and Fairbanks Morse Defense are Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, national origin, marital status, citizenship status (unless required by applicable law or government contract), disability, protected veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.

Fairbanks Morse Defense offers a competitive benefits package including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurances, and 401k retirement plan with employer match.  In addition, we offer paid time off, paid holidays, paid parental leave, and tuition reimbursement. 

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled