Laser Operator

Aerotek; Washington; On-site; USD 33,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Aerotek in Vancouver, WA, has an opening for a Laser Operator in a contract-to-hire arrangement. You will set up and operate a Bystronic CO2 laser to cut thin gauge and structural steel to blueprint specifications, with a 26-foot bed and a focus on quality and efficiency.

The role requires 2+ years of laser experience, blueprint literacy, and the ability to train and guide material handlers on setup and safety. Compensation is $24.00-$28.00 per hour with benefits eligibility.

Qualifications

• At least 2 years of experience operating a laser in a metal fabrication or manufacturing environment.
• Ability to read blueprints and shop drawings with high accuracy.
• Experience cutting mild steel and stainless steel to specified thickness.
• Proficient in performing quality checks on laser-cut parts.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate a CO2 6K Bystronic laser with a 26-foot bed for parts cutting.
• Cut parts from mild steel up to 1 inch thick and stainless steel up to 5/8 inch thick according to drawings.
• Operate CNC laser equipment to produce parts meeting quality and dimensional requirements.
• Run quality checks on laser-cut parts to verify accuracy and adherence to specs.
• Perform basic troubleshooting on laser equipment to minimize downtime.
• Carry out basic preventative maintenance on the laser to keep equipment in good working condition.
• Instruct material handlers on preparation and setup procedures to support workflow.
• Collaborate with team members on the shop floor to coordinate work and maintain production schedules.
• Provide productive leadership and guidance to entry-level team members.
• Follow all shop safety procedures and maintain a clean, organized work area.

Skills

Laser operation

CNC laser setup

Blueprint reading

Quality checks

Troubleshooting

Preventive maintenance

Team guidance

Safety procedures

Collaboration

Tools

Bystronic laser equipment

CNC laser controls

Job description

Job Description

Job Description

Laser Operator

Job Description

The Laser Operator sets up and operates a CO2 6K Bystronic laser to cut thin gauge and structural steel components according to blueprint specifications. This role ensures accurate cutting, performs basic troubleshooting and preventative maintenance, and supports efficient material flow by guiding material handlers on preparation and setup procedures.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate a CO2 6K Bystronic laser, including a 26-foot bed, for parts cutting of thin gauge and structural steel.
• Cut parts from mild steel up to 1 inch thick and stainless steel up to 5/8 inch thick according to blueprint and shop drawing specifications.
• Operate CNC laser equipment to produce precise parts that meet quality and dimensional requirements.
• Run quality checks on parts after laser operations to verify accuracy, consistency, and adherence to specifications.
• Perform basic troubleshooting on the laser equipment to resolve common operational issues and minimize downtime.
• Carry out basic preventative maintenance tasks on the laser to keep equipment in good working condition.
• Instruct material handlers on material preparation and setup procedures to support efficient workflow and output.
• Collaborate with team members on the shop floor to coordinate work, share information, and maintain production schedules.
• Provide productive leadership and guidance to entry-level team members to support their development and ensure safe, efficient operations.
• Follow all shop safety procedures and maintain a clean, organized work area around the laser and related equipment.

Essential Skills

• At least 2 years of experience operating a laser in a metal fabrication, production, or manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience setting up and operating CNC lasers for cutting thin gauge and structural steel.
• Ability to cut parts according to blueprint and shop drawing specifications with high accuracy.
• Proficiency in reading, understanding, and interpreting blueprints and shop drawings.
• Experience running quality checks on laser-cut parts to ensure they meet dimensional and quality requirements.
• Basic troubleshooting skills for laser equipment to identify and resolve common operational issues.
• Ability to perform basic preventative maintenance on laser equipment.
• Experience working with materials such as aluminum, mild steel, and stainless steel.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team in a metal fabrication or production environment.
• Capability to provide clear, constructive instruction and guidance to entry-level team members.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience operating Bystronic laser equipment.
• Experience in a custom metal shop or similar fabrication environment.
• Comfort working with a variety of metals, including aluminum, mild steel, and stainless steel.
• Strong communication skills for coordinating with material handlers and other shop personnel.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to a collaborative, supportive shop culture.

Why Work Here?

Employees join a medium-sized custom metal shop that fosters a strong family-style culture and encourages open communication. The leadership team maintains an open-door policy and values employee feedback, creating an environment where team members feel heard and supported. This setting offers the opportunity to build close working relationships, contribute ideas for continuous improvement, and grow skills within a supportive and collaborative atmosphere.

Work Environment

The role is based in a custom metal shop environment with active fabrication operations. The shop is medium-sized and maintains a strong family-oriented culture, where collaboration and open communication with leadership are encouraged. The facility is not heated, and both bay doors remain open during the winter, so employees must be comfortable working in cold weather conditions. Team members work around CNC laser equipment, metal materials such as aluminum, mild steel, and stainless steel, and standard fabrication tools, following shop safety practices and appropriate industrial attire suitable for a metal fabrication setting.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of VANCOUVER, WA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $24.00 - $28.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligibl