HPDC Lead Operator: Shift Leader & Casting Tech Mentor

PSW Group; Bellevue (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Discretionary bonus

401k with company match

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Job summary

PSW Group is seeking a Lead HPDC Operator with hands-on experience in High-Pressure Die Casting to lead shift activities and mentor operators on the shop floor. You will translate production schedules into safe, high-quality, efficient execution under the supervision of the Production Manager.

You will set up casting cells, conduct line changeovers, monitor OEE and scrap, enforce OSHA and 5S standards, and work with maintenance on tool and equipment issues while supporting NPI and process

Qualifications

• Proven hands‑on experience in HPDC/metal injection and supporting foundry equipment.
• Practical technical knowledge of die setups, troubleshooting gating/venting issues, and managing molten metal/furnace operations.
• Frontline leadership experience (e.g., Shift Lead, Team Lead, or Senior Operator) in a manufacturing environment.
• Basic robot programming/integration skills for automated casting cells (ABB, FANUC, KUKA, or equivalent).
• Strong communication skills to effectively relay technical instructions to operators and status updates to management.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate daily shift activities on the production floor to achieve safety, quality, and output targets assigned by the Production Manager.
• Direct shift staff, adjust daily task assignments, and troubleshoot coverage issues to keep casting cells running optimally.
• Monitor hourly cell performance (OEE, cycle times, and scrap rates) and report shift outcomes or maintenance needs to the Production Manager.
• Enforce safety and housekeeping, ensuring the team maintains strict compliance with OSHA regulations, PPE requirements, and 5S cleanliness standards.
• Perform cell setups, changeovers, and process adjustments on HPDC machinery, furnaces, and auxiliary equipment.
• Troubleshoot casting defects on the floor by checking and adjusting process parameters, gating, venting, and runner system performance.
• Execute basic programming and troubleshooting for integrated robotic casting cells (ABB, FANUC, KUKA, or similar).
• Conduct routine preventive maintenance (PM) tasks and work closely with the maintenance team on complex equipment breakdowns.
• Assist in testing and commissioning new die‑casting hardware, automation, and tooling layouts on the plant floor.
• Validate new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and control plans, providing practical feedback to optimize documentation for the operator team.
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) and R&D prototype runs, helping collect data for capability studies and PPAP validation.
• Conduct hands‑on onboarding and technical training for new operators on HPDC processes, cell safety, and quality standards.
• Provide real‑time coaching to floor staff to build problem‑solving capabilities and ensure consistency in SOP execution.
• Provide performance input to the Production Manager for operator evaluations and skills tracking.

Skills

HPDC experience

Leadership experience

Die casting setups

Troubleshooting

Robot programming

Communication skills

Tools

ABB robotics

FANUC robotics

KUKA robotics

Job description

PSW Group is seeking a Lead HPDC Operator with hands-on experience in High-Pressure Die Casting to lead shift activities and mentor operators on the shop floor. You will translate production schedules into safe, high-quality, efficient execution under the supervision of the Production Manager.

You will set up casting cells, conduct line changeovers, monitor OEE and scrap, enforce OSHA and 5S standards, and work with maintenance on tool and equipment issues while supporting NPI and process