Manufacturing Process Technician

HELMER WOOD PRODUCTS LLC; Town of Manheim (NY); On-site; USD 44,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Helmer Wood Products seeks a Manufacturing/Process Technician to join our Dolgeville, NY team on-site. You will set up and optimize molding equipment, run production lines, and troubleshoot technical issues to improve efficiency and product quality.

The role emphasizes continuous improvement, with responsibilities spanning machine changes, quality checks, and supporting maintenance. Candidates should have hands-on manufacturing experience, strong mechanical aptitude, and familiarity with PLC/HMI

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 3+ years of manufacturing or wood machining experience preferred.
• Experience with industrial molding equipment, rough mill systems, or automated equipment advantageous.
• Ability to read technical specs and work orders.

Responsibilities

• Molder setup and equipment optimization, including changeovers and tooling adjustments.
• Operate, adjust, and troubleshoot industrial wood molding equipment to improve yield and quality.
• Support automated manufacturing processes and monitor equipment status via PLC/HMI.
• Identify defects and apply corrective actions to reduce waste and downtime.
• Assist with process improvements, quality checks, and safety compliance.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Troubleshooting

Reading technical specs

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

PLC

HMI

Job description

Manufacturing / Process TechnicianHelmer Wood Products | Dolgeville, NYJob Type: Full-Time | Hourly | Non-ExemptPay Range: $32.00–$38.00 per hour, based on experience and qualificationsLocation: Dolgeville, NY | On-SiteBuild Your Career with Helmer Wood Products!Are you mechanically inclined, technically skilled, and passionate about improving manufacturing processes? Do you enjoy troubleshooting equipment, solving problems, and finding ways to make production operations safer, faster, and more efficient?Helmer Wood Products is looking for a Manufacturing / Process Technician to join our team in Dolgeville, NY!This is an opportunity to play a key role in our wood products manufacturing operations, working with industrial molding equipment, highly automated rough mill systems, and advanced production technology.We're looking for someone who brings hands-on manufacturing experience, strong troubleshooting abilities, and a continuous improvement mindset. If you enjoy working with machinery, optimizing processes, and making a measurable impact on production performance, we'd love to hear from you!What You'll DoMolder Setup & Equipment OptimizationSet up, adjust, operate, and troubleshoot industrial wood molding equipment.Perform machine changeovers, tooling adjustments, and setup verification.Optimize machine settings, cutting parameters, and feed rates to improve efficiency, product quality, and lumber yield.Identify and correct common machining defects, including dimensional issues, tear-out, chatter, and surface finish inconsistencies.Automated Manufacturing & TroubleshootingSupport the operation and optimization of highly automated rough mill equipment and production systems.Monitor equipment performance, production flow, and automated processes.Utilize PLC/HMI interfaces to monitor equipment status, interpret alarms, and perform basic troubleshooting.Assist with diagnosing mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and automation-related equipment issues.Partner with maintenance and production teams to minimize downtime and improve equipment reliability.Process Improvement & QualityIdentify opportunities to reduce waste, improve lumber recovery, and increase production efficiency.Analyze production performance, downtime, scrap rates, and material utilization.Inspect lumber, components, and finished products to ensure quality standards and customer specifications are met.Use precision measuring tools, including calipers, micrometers, and gauges.Recommend improvements to equipment settings, operating procedures, and manufacturing processes.Teamwork, Maintenance & SafetySupport preventive maintenance, equipment inspections, and minor adjustments within established training and authorization.Assist with equipment installations, upgrades, and implementation of new manufacturing technologies.Provide technical guidance and support to machine operators.Collaborate with production supervisors and maintenance personnel to resolve operational challenges.Follow all workplace safety requirements, including machine guarding, PPE, and lockout/tagout procedures.What We're Looking ForQualificationsHigh school diploma or GED required.Three or more years of manufacturing, industrial production, wood machining, or equipment setup experience preferred.Experience with industrial molding equipment, rough mill systems, or automated manufacturing equipment strongly preferred.Strong mechanical aptitude and hands-on troubleshooting experience.Basic understanding of PLC-controlled equipment and HMI operation.Ability to read technical specifications, work orders, and equipment manuals.Experience using precision measuring instruments.Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.Commitment to quality, teamwork, workplace safety, and continuous improvement.Additional Experience That Will Set You ApartBackground in wood products manufacturing, lumber processing, or precision wood machining.Experience optimizing machine settings to improve material yield and reduce waste.Familiarity with automated conveyors, scanners, sensors, and material-handling systems.Technical education, vocational training, an apprenticeship, or an associate degree in manufacturing technology, industrial maintenance, or automation.Experience training machine operators or supporting manufacturing process improvements.Compensation & ScheduleCompetitive Pay: $32.00–$38.00 per hour, based on experience and qualifications.Employment: Full-Time, Hourly.Work Location: On-site in Dolgeville, New York.Schedule: Based on operational and production needs; overtime may be required.Work EnvironmentThis position is based in an industrial wood products manufacturing facility and involves working around production machinery, automated equipment, wood dust, and varying noise levels.The role requires extended periods of standing and walking, frequent bending and reaching, and the ability to safely handle tools and materials. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.Ready to Make an Impact?If you're a hands-on manufacturing professional who enjoys solving technical challenges, improving processes, and working with advanced production equipment, we encourage you to apply!Join Helmer Wood Products and help us drive manufacturing excellence through innovation, quality, and teamwork.Helmer Wood Products is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to qualified applicants and employees without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available throughout the application process.