Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Operate CNC plasma cutting equipment and 6-axis robotic CNC processing cells to manufacture parts in accordance with drawings, work instructions, and production schedules.
- Load raw material and fixtures into equipment and verify setup prior to execution.
- Review and interpret production travelers, nesting files, engineering drawings, cut lists, and work instructions.
- Execute machine startup, changeovers, and shutdown procedures safely and efficiently.
- Monitor machine performance and adjust offsets, feeds, speeds, and parameters within established controls.
- Conduct first-article and in-process inspections to verify dimensional accuracy and quality requirements.
- Perform routine machine maintenance including cleaning, lubrication, consumable replacement, and basic troubleshooting.
- Identify machine issues, quality concerns, and production constraints and escalate as appropriate.
- Track production output and document completed work accurately in company systems.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on throughput, quality, equipment uptime, and material utilization.
- Maintain organized work areas and comply with all housekeeping standards.
- Follow all company safety requirements, lockout/tagout procedures, PPE requirements, and operational controls.
- Coordinate with Production, Engineering, Quality, and Maintenance teams to maintain schedule performance.
- Support overtime, alternate shifts, or weekend work when required to meet business demands.
Qualifications and Experience
- Minimum of high school diploma or GED and 3+ years of experience operating CNC manufacturing equipment in an industrial environment.
- Experience operating CNC plasma cutting systems, robotic processing cells, beam lines, laser tables, or other automated manufacturing equipment.
- Experience working in structural steel fabrication, shipbuilding, heavy manufacturing, or industrial production environments.
- Familiarity with CNC programming concepts, G-code, robotic motion systems, or nesting software.
- Experience reading fabrication drawings and understanding geometric tolerances.
- Forklift and overhead crane operating experience.
- Basic understanding of preventive maintenance practices.
- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement concepts
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and manufacturing documentation.
- Working knowledge of measurement tools including tape measures, calipers, squares, and gauges.
- Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations and dimensional verification.
- Basic computer proficiency for machine interfaces and production reporting.
- Demonstrated commitment to safety and quality.
- Ability to work independently while maintaining production objectives.
Physical Demands:
- While performing these job duties, the employee is routinely required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; use fingers and hands to type or write; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; taste or smell. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
Work Environment
- This position is performed in a manufacturing environment, with some local travel between facilities.
Our Workplace Commitment
At Fairlead, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive, ethical, and high-integrity work environment. Every team member is expected to uphold our HOLD FAST values through:
- Legal Compliance & Ethics: Strictly adhering to all applicable laws, company policies, and regulatory standards.
- Transparency: Fostering open, honest communication and accountability across all levels of the organization.
- Conflict-of-Interest Prevention: Actively identifying, disclosing, and avoiding situations where personal interests conflict with professional responsibilities.
- Zero Tolerance for Discrimination & Harassment: Maintaining a safe, respectful workplace free from any form of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.