Laser Operator / CAD Drafting & Design

Steelworx Industrial Group; Fayetteville (AR); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Steelworx Industrial Group is seeking an experienced Laser Operator with drafting and design capabilities to join our fabrication team. The role involves reading drawings, creating and modifying CAD files, and taking projects from concept to cut-ready parts.

Ideal candidates have experience in design and fabrication of custom parts for the food and beverage industry and with sanitary stainless‑steel fabrication. CNC router or similar equipment experience is a strong plus.

Qualifications

• Previous CNC laser operating experience.
• CAD drafting and design experience strongly preferred.
• Experience designing and fabricating custom parts, components, and equipment.
• Experience with 2D drawings, DXF files, nesting, and CNC programming.
• Ability to read fabrication and structural steel drawings.
• Experience with carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate CNC laser cutting equipment.
• Create, modify, and prepare CAD drawings for production.
• Convert drawings, sketches, field dimensions, and customer information into cut‑ready parts.
• Read and interpret structural, fabrication, assembly, and shop drawings.
• Review dimensions, tolerances, material thicknesses, and part requirements before cutting.
• Nest parts efficiently to maximize material utilization and minimize scrap.
• Select appropriate cutting parameters for different materials and thicknesses.
• Load programs and perform machine setup.
• Inspect finished parts for dimensional accuracy and quality.
• Troubleshoot cutting, programming, nesting, and setup issues.
• Maintain organization of CAD files, programs, and production drawings.
• Perform routine machine maintenance and keep equipment and work areas clean and organized.
• Coordinate with fabrication personnel to ensure parts are produced correctly and on schedule.
• Assist with CNC router operation and programming when needed.
• Support the design and fabrication of custom parts, assemblies, and equipment.
• Follow established material‑handling and fabrication procedures to maintain proper separation between carbon steel and stainless steel
• Understand the importance of preventing cross‑contamination between carbon steel and stainless steel throughout cutting, handling, fabrication, and storage
• Assist other team members with fabrication, material handling, equipment operation, and other shop tasks outside of the normal day‑to‑day job scope when needed
• Be willing to work outside normal scheduled hours when project schedules, production requirements, or customer needs require it

Skills

CAD drafting and design

Reading fabrication drawings

2D drawings (DXF)

Nesting for material utilization

CNC laser operating experience

Team collaboration

Tools

DXF files

CNC routing

Laser cutting equipment operation

Job description

Position: Laser Operator / CAD Drafting & Design

Job Type: Full-Time

Position Summary

Steelworx Industrial Group is seeking an experienced Laser Operator with drafting and design capabilities to join our fabrication team.

We are looking for someone who can do more than simply operate equipment. The ideal candidate will be comfortable reading fabrication drawings, creating and modifying CAD files, laying out parts for cutting, and taking a project from a drawing, sketch, or field dimensions through the cutting and fabrication process.

Experience in the design and fabrication of custom parts and equipment, particularly for the food and beverage industry, is highly desirable.

Experience operating or programming a CNC router or similar automated cutting equipment is also a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate CNC laser cutting equipment
• Create, modify, and prepare CAD drawings for production
• Convert drawings, sketches, field dimensions, and customer information into cut‑ready parts
• Read and interpret structural, fabrication, assembly, and shop drawings
• Review dimensions, tolerances, material thicknesses, and part requirements before cutting
• Nest parts efficiently to maximize material utilization and minimize scrap
• Select appropriate cutting parameters for different materials and thicknesses
• Load programs and perform machine setup
• Inspect finished parts for dimensional accuracy and quality
• Troubleshoot cutting, programming, nesting, and setup issues
• Maintain organization of CAD files, programs, and production drawings
• Perform routine machine maintenance and keep equipment and work areas clean and organized
• Coordinate with fabrication personnel to ensure parts are produced correctly and on schedule
• Assist with CNC router operation and programming when needed
• Support the design and fabrication of custom parts, assemblies, and equipment
• Follow established material‑handling and fabrication procedures to maintain proper separation between carbon steel and stainless steel
• Understand the importance of preventing cross‑contamination between carbon steel and stainless steel throughout cutting, handling, fabrication, and storage
• Assist other team members with fabrication, material handling, equipment operation, and other shop tasks outside of the normal day‑to‑day job scope when needed
• Be willing to work outside normal scheduled hours when project schedules, production requirements, or customer needs require it

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous CNC laser operating experience
• CAD drafting and design experience strongly preferred
• Experience designing and fabricating custom parts, components, and equipment
• Experience working in the food and beverage processing industry is strongly preferred
• Experience with sanitary stainless‑steel fabrication or food‑processing equipment is a plus
• Experience with 2D part drawings, DXF files, nesting, and CNC programming
• Ability to take a concept, sketch, field measurement, or customer request and develop a manufacturable part
• Ability to read and understand fabrication and structural steel drawings
• Strong understanding of measurements, tolerances, fit‑up, and fabrication practices
• Experience working with carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum
• Understanding of proper procedures for keeping stainless steel and carbon steel materials, tooling, and fabrication processes separated
• CNC router experience is a plus
• Experience with fabrication equipment such as press brakes, saws, plasma tables, or similar machinery is a plus
• Strong computer, mechanical, and problem‑solving skills
• Ability to work independently while also functioning as part of a fabrication team

Ideal Candidate

We are particularly interested in someone with a drafting/design background combined with hands‑on manufacturing experience.

The right candidate should be able to receive a drawing, sketch, concept, or set of field dimensions and understand how to turn that information into an accurately cut and fabrication‑ready part.

Because Steelworx performs custom industrial fabrication, we value candidates who understand that not every project is repetitive production work. The ideal candidate should be comfortable working through unique fabrication challenges, developing custom components, and helping determine the best way to manufacture a part or assembly.

Experience designing and fabricating equipment for food and beverage processing facilities is especially valuable, including an understanding of stainless‑steel fabrication, sanitary applications, and the importance of preventing carbon contamination of stainless materials.

What We Are Looking For

• Dependable and self‑motivated
• Detail‑oriented with a strong focus on accuracy
• Strong mechanical aptitude
• Strong drafting and design abilities
• Comfortable working from drawings, sketches, and field dimensions
• Able to identify potential design or fabrication problems before material is cut
• Focused on quality, productivity, and material utilization
• Understands the importance of following established shop processes
• Understands proper carbon steel and stainless‑steel separation practices
• Willing to learn additional equipment and manufacturing processes
• Willing to work outside normal hours when necessary to meet production and project demands
• Team‑oriented and willing to step outside of the normal job description to help wherever needed in the shop
• Able to communicate effectively with project managers, drafters, fabricators, and other shop personnel

About Steelworx Industrial Group

Steelworx Industrial Group provides structural steel, miscellaneous metals, industrial fabrication, and custom equipment fabrication services.

Our work requires accuracy, quality workmanship, attention to detail, and the ability to take projects from initial drawings and concepts through fabrication and completion.

We are looking for someone who wants to become an important part of our manufacturing operation and has the technical ability to contribute both at the computer and on the shop floor.