Career change as a foundry mechanic
With your experience you can switch to 8 jobs in Germany: 4 with on-the-job training and 4 with training or a course.
In the job search you can sort by what matters to you, save jobs and see where they lead.
Career change paths
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Non-destructive testing inspector
Also: Quality inspector for castings
With on-the-job training
In quality inspection you examine components with ultrasound, X-ray, dye penetrant or magnetic particle methods and document the results.
- What you bring:
- You know typical casting defects such as shrinkage cavities, cracks and inclusions and know how to recognize them.
- How to get there:
- Foundries, testing service providers and suppliers employ foundry mechanics as testers once they have completed courses in non-destructive testing, for example at the German Society for Non-Destructive Testing (DGZfP). The courses take a few days to weeks per method. For X-ray testing, radiation protection courses are added.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsLittle customer contact€4,177gross per monthMedian salary
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CNC machine operator
Also: CNC milling machine operator
With on-the-job training
On CNC milling and turning machines you machine components, set up machines and check dimensions, in a cleaner and cooler environment than at the casting line.
- What you bring:
- You read drawings, know dimensions and tolerances and work carefully with metal workpieces.
- How to get there:
- Companies give skilled metal workers on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) on CNC machines. CNC courses at training providers take a few weeks to months and are often funded. With experience you also take over programming.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsShift workLittle customer contact€3,923gross per monthMedian salary
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Pattern and mold making worker
Also: Permanent mold maker
With on-the-job training
In pattern or mold making you make and repair patterns, core boxes and permanent molds, also with CNC and 3D printing.
- What you bring:
- You know patterns, core boxes and permanent molds from the molding shop and know what matters for mold parting and shrinkage allowance.
- How to get there:
- Foundries with their own pattern shop and specialized businesses give experienced molders on-the-job training (Einarbeitung), and basic CNC and CAD courses help. A qualification of your own comes from retraining (Umschulung) as a technical pattern maker (Technischer Modellbauer/Technische Modellbauerin), specialization foundry.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsPhysically demandingLittle customer contact€3,684gross per monthMedian salary
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Work planner
Also: Production planner
With on-the-job training
In work planning you create work plans, plan jobs and capacities in the ERP system and coordinate deadlines with production and sales.
- What you bring:
- You know work steps, molding times and bottlenecks in the foundry from your own experience.
- How to get there:
- Companies usually give experienced skilled workers a few weeks to months of on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in work planning, and courses on ERP systems and REFA methods help. A master craftsperson or technician qualification is an advantage there.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office€4,873gross per monthMedian salary
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Certified industrial foreman, metal
Also: Shift supervisor at a foundry
With further trainingPromotion
As a certified industrial foreman (Industriemeister) you lead a shift or department, plan staff and jobs, improve processes and train new staff.
- What you bring:
- You know molds, core making, melting and casting processes and know where casting defects arise.
- How to get there:
- You take further training as a certified industrial foreman, specialization metal (Industriemeister Metall), at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). Alongside work it usually takes 2 to 3 years, full-time about one year, and it can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). The qualification includes trainer aptitude (Ausbildereignung) and is also recognized in other metal businesses.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Shift workLittle customer contact€5,639gross per monthMedian salary
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State-certified technician in mechanical engineering
Also: Foundry technician
With further trainingPromotion
As a technician you work in work planning, quality assurance, process development or design and optimize manufacturing processes.
- What you bring:
- You understand materials, molding processes and casting technology from practice and want to plan and develop more.
- How to get there:
- You take further training at a vocational college (Fachschule) to become a state-certified technician (staatlich geprüfter Techniker), for example in mechanical engineering or, at a few schools, in foundry technology. It takes 2 years full-time or usually 4 years alongside work, and it can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). You are admitted with a vocational qualification and usually one year of work experience.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsLittle customer contact€5,261gross per monthMedian salary
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Industrial mechanic
Also: Maintenance mechanic
With retraining
In maintenance you service and repair machines and systems, remove and install assemblies and help to avoid breakdowns.
- What you bring:
- You know molding systems, sand preparation and casting machines and have often fixed faults yourself.
- How to get there:
- Companies also deploy foundry mechanics in maintenance after on-the-job training (Einarbeitung). A qualification of your own comes from shortened retraining (Umschulung) as an industrial mechanic (Industriemechaniker/Industriemechanikerin); the chamber decides on the shortening. For work on the electrics, a course to become an electrically qualified person for defined tasks (Elektrofachkraft für festgelegte Tätigkeiten) is often added.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Shift workPhysically demandingLittle customer contact€4,205gross per monthMedian salary
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Instructor for metal trades
Also: Instructor in a training workshop
With further trainingPromotion
As an instructor you work with trainees in the training workshop and the company and prepare them for their exams.
- What you bring:
- You are skilled in molding, casting, measuring and occupational safety in practice and can demonstrate techniques well.
- How to get there:
- You need trainer aptitude (Ausbildereignung), which you show with the exam under AEVO at the chamber. Preparation courses usually take a few weeks or run alongside work. Full-time jobs exist mainly in larger industrial companies and inter-company training centers.*Regulated by law (Vocational Training Act (BBiG) § 30 and Trainer Aptitude Ordinance (AEVO)).
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsLittle customer contact€4,462gross per monthMedian salary
Salary: median of all full-time employees in the job, gross per month excluding special payments, as of April 2025. Half earn more, half earn less. Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), table 62361-0030, license dl-de/by-2-0. Assigned to the jobs by quereinsteiger.de. No guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently asked questions
Which jobs can I do as a foundry mechanic without vocational training or retraining?
Without a new qualification, often with on-the-job training: Non-destructive testing inspector, CNC machine operator, Pattern and mold making worker and Work planner.
Which retraining or further training suits me as a foundry mechanic?
With vocational training, retraining, further training or a course: Certified industrial foreman, metal, State-certified technician in mechanical engineering, Industrial mechanic and Instructor for metal trades.
What promotion options do I have as a foundry mechanic?
Promotions include, for example: Certified industrial foreman, metal, State-certified technician in mechanical engineering and Instructor for metal trades.
Which of these jobs pay the most?
According to official statistics, the highest median full-time salaries are: Certified industrial foreman, metal (€5,639 gross per month), State-certified technician in mechanical engineering (€5,261 gross per month) and Work planner (€4,873 gross per month). Half of employees earn more, half earn less; when you start it is often lower. Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), April 2025. No guarantee of accuracy.
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