Spring Guide Operator

Lee-Spring; Bristol (CT); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Lee Spring is seeking operators to produce precision coils using hand-operated and servo-powered winding equipment. You will set up machinery, feed wire, maintain tension, and wind coils to exact specifications across varying wire sizes.

The role includes finishing, forming hooks, and quality checks against blueprints. Attention to safety and tooling maintenance is required; candidates should read instructions, lift up to 30 lbs, and demonstrate strong dexterity for consistent wire tension and

Qualifications

• Must be able to read and follow written work instructions.
• Ability to lift or carry minimum 30 lbs.
• Significant dexterity and precision is required.

Responsibilities

• Set up hand or servo winding equipment for coil production.
• Feed wire, maintain tension, and wind coils to spec.
• Adjust pitch, angle, and tension to match blueprints.
• Cut wire to length with integral shear or cutters.
• Perform secondary forming such as loops and hooks.
• Inspect springs with calipers and micrometers for tolerances.
• Lubricate gears and check locking mechanisms.

Skills

Wire Handling

Inspection Techniques

Blueprint Reading

Safety Consciousness

Dexterity

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Tools

Mandrels

Wire Guides

Tensioners

Calipers

Micrometers

Hand-operated spring winder

Servo powered motor winder

Bench vise

Duckbill pliers

Wire cutters

Job description

About us:Founded in Brooklyn in 1918 by Robert Lee Johannsen, Lee Spring has grown into a global manufacturer with locations across the U.S., Europe, Latin America, and Asia — stocking more than 25,000 catalog products alongside custom-engineered solutions.What you’ll Do:A production position focused on creating precision coils using manual or semi-automated, hand-cranked and/or powered equipment. This position is responsible for setting up, operating, and maintaining hand-operated coil winding machinery to produce compression spring guides of various wire sizes and lengths.Core Responsibilities:Basic Machine Setup: Securely mount the hand winder in a bench vice or specialized jig. Select and install appropriate mandrels (arbors) based on the required spring inner diameter.Winding Operation: Feed wire through tensioning guides and manually turn the crank to create coils on manual models. On servo powered models, the servo motor winds the coils. Maintain proper wire tension to ensure consistent spring rates and coil diameters.Adjustment & Precision: Adjust the winder’s pitch, angle, and tension settings to meet specific engineering specifications (blueprints/drawings).Finishing: Cut the wire to length using the machine’s integral shear or manual side cutters.Secondary Operations: Perform minor forming tasks, such as creating loops/hooks on tension springs, using pliers, trimming and clipping.Quality Inspection: Measure springs using calipers or micrometer tools to ensure compliance with blueprint tolerances.Maintenance: Lubricate gears and moving parts, check for proper operation of locking mechanisms (cam locks), and ensure the tool is clean.Any additional tasks when assigned.Technical Skills:Wire Handling: Ability to work with various wire types (music wire, stainless steel) and manage wire spools.Tool Management: Familiarity with mandrels, wire guides, and tensioners.Inspection Techniques: Proficiency in using measuring tools (calipers/micrometers).Blueprint Reading: Understanding engineering drawings for spring specifications.Typical Equipment Used:Hand-operated spring winderServo powered motor winderBench vise.Duckbill pliers and wire cutters.Physical Requirements:Hand-Eye Coordination: Significant dexterity is needed for consistent wire tension and pitch control.Safety Consciousness: Ability to work safely with spring steel, which can release energy unexpectedly, and following strict safety protocols.Speed/Efficiency: Ability to hit production targets efficientlyAccuracy: Maintaining tight tolerances on spring free length, coil diameter, and wire diameter.Quality: Minimizing burrs and deformations.Requirements:Must be able to read and follow written work instructionsHigh School Diploma or EquivalentAbility to lift or carry minimum 30 lbs.High mechanical aptitudePreferred manufacturing experience