Fabrication Machine Operator

Hydro Systems; Austin, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Hydro Systems in Austin, TX is seeking a Fabrication Machine Operator to set up, operate, and monitor CNC, laser, and manual fabrication equipment. You will read engineering drawings, verify part quality, and ensure on-time production while maintaining a safe, organized work area.

The role emphasizes precision measurement, adherence to quality standards, and collaboration with the manufacturing team to meet daily goals and continuous improvement efforts.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Experience operating CNC, automated, semi-automated, or manual manufacturing equipment.

Responsibilities

• Set up, operate, and monitor CNC, automated, semi-automated, and manual fabrication equipment.
• Read work orders and drawings to produce parts to specification.
• Perform first-piece, in-process, and final inspections with calipers and micrometers.
• Maintain a clean, organized workspace per 5S/6S standards.

Skills

CNC operation

Reading blueprints

Measuring parts

Safety conscious

Education

High school diploma

Tools

CNC machines

Laser cutters

Job description

**Fabrication Machine Operator****Job Summary**The Fabrication Operator will produce quality metal parts safely, accurately, and on time by setting up, operating, and monitoring a variety of fabrication equipment based on production demand. This role operates fully automated, semi-automated, and manual CNC machines across the campus, by taking ownership of their machines and work area, following all safety and quality standards, supporting autonomous maintenance, maintain strong housekeeping discipline, and working as part of the team to achieve daily production and continuous improvement goals.**Responsibilities**· Follow all company safety policies, PPE requirements, machine-guarding standards, and safe work practices at all times.· Participate in safety initiatives by recognizing hazards, reporting unsafe conditions, and helping prevent injuries in the fabrication area.· Read and follow work orders, engineering drawings, process sheets, and work instructions to produce parts to specification.· Set up, operate, and monitor fully automated, semi-automated, and manual fabrication equipment as assigned.· Load material, change or adjust tooling, verify setups, and prepare equipment for production runs.· Monitor machine performance during production and make approved routine adjustments to maintain part quality and process consistency.· Perform first-piece, in-process, and final inspections using calipers, micrometers, angle gauges, height gauges, tape measures, and other required measuring tools.· Identify quality concerns early, separate questionable product, and communicate issues promptly to the supervisor, quality team, programmer, or maintenance team as needed.· Troubleshoot routine production issues involving setup, tooling, dimensional variation, material handling, or machine performance, and escalate when additional support is needed.· Accurately report completed production, including counts, scrap, downtime, inspection checks, and other shop-floor documentation.· Own autonomous maintenance for assigned machines and work areas, including cleaning, inspection, lubrication, minor adjustments, and reporting abnormal equipment conditions.· Maintain a clean, organized, and inspection-ready work area in support of 5S or 6S standards and overall visual workplace expectations.· Participate in Lean and Continuous Improvement efforts, including 5S, fast problem solving, root-cause analysis, waste reduction, and employee suggestion initiatives.· Use daily communication tools, production boards, and team discussions to identify bottlenecks impacting performance and support corrective actions.· Cross train across fabrication equipment and processes to support production flexibility and changing business needs.· Work closely with operations, engineering, programming, maintenance, quality, and other team members to meet daily safety, quality, delivery, and productivity expectations.**Required Qualifications**· High school diploma or equivalent preferred.· Experience operating CNC, automated, semi-automated, or manual manufacturing equipment in a production environment.· Ability to read and understand engineering drawings, process sheets, and written instructions.· Ability to use precision measuring tools and verify parts meet dimensional and quality requirements.· Basic mechanical aptitude and the ability to safely make routine machine and tooling adjustments.· Strong attention to detail and the ability to recognize when a process or part is not meeting expectations.· Willingness to learn and operate multiple fabrication machines and processes.· Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced team environment while maintaining safety, quality, and production standards.· Basic computer skills for training, communication, production reporting, and quality documentation.· Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and lift materials or parts as required by the job.**Preferred Qualifications**· Two or more years of experience in sheet metal fabrication or machine operation in a manufacturing environment.· Experience with but not limited to CNC press brakes, laser cutting machines, turret punches, hardware insertion, cut to length machines, end forming, tube bending or similar fabrication machinery.· Familiarity with sheet metal material characteristics such as thickness, grain direction, bend behavior, spring back, and handling requirements.· Experience with first piece approval, in process inspection, and nonconforming material procedures.· Experience with Lean tools such as 5-Why, fishbone diagrams, A3 thinking, standard work, or waste reduction methods.· Experience with autonomous maintenance, or operator led preventive maintenance activities.**What Success Looks Like**A strong Fabrication Operator is dependable, safety-minded, quality-focused, and willing to learn across multiple processes. They take ownership of their machines and work area, communicate problems early, support the team, and look for practical ways to improve safety, flow, quality, and productivity every day.