Laser Manufacturing Machine Lead

HSM (Hickory Springs Manufacturing) Company; Hickory (NC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

401(k) with company match

104 hours of vacation PTO

On-Site Medical Clinics

Teladoc

Tuition reimbursement

Discounts with partners

Job summary

HSM (Hickory Springs Manufacturing) Company in Hickory, NC is seeking a skilled CNC Laser Technician Lead. You will serve as the primary technical resource for our laser manufacturing equipment, set up, operate, program, troubleshoot, and optimize Trumpf laser systems to meet production goals.

With 3+ years of manufacturing experience and a background in CNC programming or Manufacturing Technology, you will lead daily activities, monitor performance, and drive continuous improvement using Lean,

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Technical certificate, trade school, or associate degree strongly preferred.
• 3+ years of manufacturing experience operating CNC equipment.
• Laser cutting, tube laser, laser welding, CNC machinery experience preferred.
• Experience as a technical lead or production lead preferred.
• Experience with Trumpf laser systems or comparable CNC tech is a plus.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, setup docs, and process sheets.
• Knowledge of OEE, SPC, Lean, 5S, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary technical resource for CNC-controlled laser manufacturing equipment.
• Set up, operate, program, troubleshoot, and optimize laser equipment.
• Verify machine conditions, process parameters, and equipment readiness before production.
• Monitor machine performance and production metrics to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Perform routine inspections, preventive maintenance, and basic mechanical adjustments.
• Troubleshoot machine, tooling, fixture, and programming issues.
• Support equipment installations, process validations, product launches, and manufacturing improvements.
• Coordinate daily laser manufacturing activities to meet production schedules and customer requirements.
• Lead root cause problem-solving and corrective actions to prevent recurring issues.
• Drive improvements that reduce downtime and scrap while increasing throughput and utilization.

Skills

CNC equipment operation

Lean / 5S

Root cause analysis

Communication

Troubleshooting

GD&T interpretation

Education

High school diploma or GED

Technical certificate / associate degree

Tools

Trumpf laser systems

Tube laser

Laser welding equipment

CNC machinery

Job description

Hickory Metal Plant
Hickory, NC 28602, USA

Founded in 1944, HSM is athird generation, privately held company with a rich history of innovation and a commitment to our people. With 25 locations across the U.S. and corporate headquarters in Hickory, NC and Huntersville, NC, we specialize in manufacturing components for furniture, bedding, transportation, packaging, automotive, and healthcare industries. Our expertise also includes designing and building automated production machinery. HSM products from sofa springs to swimming pool noodles and bus seats, touch everyday life in countless ways.

At HSM, our success is built on our people. We foster a culture of teamwork, innovation, and shared success. If you’re looking for a meaningful place to grow and make an impact, we want to hear from you!

What You’ll Do

• Serve as the primary technical resource for assigned CNC-controlled laser manufacturing equipment
• Set up, operate, program, troubleshoot, and optimize laser equipment
• Verify machine conditions, process parameters, and equipment readiness before production
• Monitor machine performance and production metrics to identify opportunities for improvement
• Perform routine inspections, preventive maintenance, and basic mechanical adjustments
• Troubleshoot machine, tooling, fixture, and programming issues
• Support equipment installations, process validations, product launches, and manufacturing improvements
• Coordinate daily laser manufacturing activities to meet production schedules and customer requirements
• Lead root cause problem-solving and corrective actions to prevent recurring equipment or process issues
• Drive improvements that reduce downtime and scrap while increasing throughput and equipment utilization

What You Bring

• High school diploma or GED required
• Technical certificate, trade school, or associate degree in Manufacturing Technology, Industrial Technology, Welding Technology, CNC Programming, or a related field strongly preferred
• 3+ years of manufacturing experience operating or supporting CNC-controlled equipment
• Laser cutting, tube laser, laser welding, CNC machinery, or automated manufacturing experience strongly preferred
• Previous experience as a technical lead, Machine Leader, or informal production leader preferred
• Experience with Trumpf laser cutting systems, laser welding equipment, tube laser systems, or comparable CNC technology is a plus
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, work instructions, setup documentation, and manufacturing process sheets
• Knowledge of OEE, SPC, root cause analysis, Lean, 5S, and continuous improvement
• Ability to troubleshoot mechanical, pneumatic, electrical, and programming-related issues
• Strong communication, organization, coaching, and problem-solving skills

Why Join Us?

• Health & Wellness : Affordable medical, dental, and vision insurance plans, including an innovative global healthcareoptionfor qualified participants.
• Retire: 401(k) with company match, fully vested from day one.
• Paid Time Off : Competitive PTO:104 hoursof Vacation +company paid holidays.
• On-Site Medical Clinics : Free for you and covered dependents.
• Teladoc : 24/7 access with no copay.
• Professional Development : Tuition reimbursement,professional developmentassistanceandcareer growth opportunities.
• Discounts : Enjoy discounts with HSM partners, including Dollywood Parks & Resort, Verizon Wireless, and more.

EEOC

At HSM, we believe that our diversity creates a productive workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectionate or sexual orientation, genderidentityor expression, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated againston the basis ofdisability.

#IND1

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.