TUBE LASER OPERATOR

Sanborn Tube Sales of Wisconsin Inc; City of Pewaukee (WI); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages

Paid vacation

401(k) with company match

Comprehensive benefits package (Health

Voluntary Value Share Plan

Job summary

Russel Metals is seeking a Tube Laser Operator to safely set up and run tube laser equipment, loading raw material and verifying dimensions against engineering drawings. You will perform first-piece and in-process inspections, monitor quality, and maintain records while coordinating with Quality, Engineering, Scheduling and Maintenance teams.

The role requires attention to detail and adherence to safety policies.

Qualifications

• Understand and follow engineering drawings and specifications.
• Verify critical dimensions and features.
• Perform first-piece and in-process inspections.
• Identify nonconforming material and segregate it.
• Report quality concerns to supervision or quality personnel.
• Never pass defective material to the next operation.
• Maintain accurate inspection and production records.
• Follow ISO and company quality procedures.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate tube laser equipment to produce parts per customer and engineering requirements.
• Set up the tube laser from work orders, programs, drawings, and setup instructions.
• Load and unload raw material using proper handling procedures.
• Verify material type, size, wall thickness, length, and quantity before starting.
• Confirm correct laser program, tooling, fixtures, and machine settings.
• Perform first-piece and in-process inspections with calipers, gauges, and tape measures.
• Monitor cut quality and machine performance during production.
• Identify and report problems affecting quality, dimensions, or speed.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Reading engineering drawings

Measuring instruments

Attention to detail

Follow instructions

Teamwork

Safety compliance

Reliability

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

BLM tube laser equipment

Global Shop Solutions ERP

Calipers

Tape measures

Gauges

Job description

Russel Metals is one of the largest metals distribution companies in North America, with a growing focus on value-added processing. It carries on business in three segments: metals service centers, energy field stores and steel distributors. Its network of metals service centers carries an extensive line of metal products in a wide range of sizes, shapes and specifications, including carbon hot rolled and cold finished steel, pipe and tubular products, stainless steel, aluminum and other non-ferrous specialty metals. Its energy field stores carry a specialized product line focused on the needs of the energy industry customers. Its steel distributors' operations act as master distributors selling steel in large volumes to other steel service centers and large equipment manufacturers mainly on an "as is" basis.

The Tube Laser Operator will be responsible for machine setup, loading and unloading material, monitoring the cutting process, inspecting finished parts, completing production documentation, and maintaining a clean and safe work area.

• Safely operate tube laser equipment to produce parts according to customer and engineering requirements.
• Set up the tube laser using work orders, programs, drawings, and setup instructions.
• Load and unload raw material using proper material-handling procedures.
• Verify material type, size, wall thickness, length, and quantity before beginning production.
• Confirm the correct laser program, tooling, fixtures, and machine settings are being used.
• Perform first-piece and in-process inspections using measuring equipment such as calipers, tape measures, gauges, and other inspection tools.
• Monitor cut quality and machine performance throughout the production run.
• Identify and report problems involving cut quality, dimensions, machine performance, sensors, tooling, or material.
• Make approved machine adjustments to maintain part quality and production efficiency.
• Follow all quality procedures, work instructions, and customer-specific requirements.
• Complete production records, inspection documentation, scrap reporting, and other required paperwork or electronic entries.
• Maintain proper material identification and traceability throughout the production process.
• Perform routine cleaning, housekeeping, and operator-level preventive maintenance.
• Keep the machine, tooling, work area, and surrounding floor clean and organized.
• Properly handle and dispose of scrap material.
• Communicate production issues, quality concerns, material shortages, and machine problems to the Tube Laser Lead or Production Supervisor.
• Assist with troubleshooting and machine changeovers as needed.
• Follow all company safety policies, including proper PPE requirements and safe material-handling practices.
• Work with other departments, including Quality, Engineering, Scheduling, and Maintenance, when necessary.
• Assist in training other employees on tube laser operation when qualified.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management.

Quality Responsibilities

The Tube Laser Operator is responsible for producing parts that meet Sanborn Tube and Fab’s quality standards.

Responsibilities include:

• Understanding and following engineering drawings and specifications.
• Verifying critical dimensions and features.
• Performing required first-piece and in-process inspections.
• Identifying nonconforming material and properly segregating it.
• Immediately reporting quality concerns to the appropriate supervisor or Quality personnel.
• Never knowingly passing defective material to the next operation.
• Maintaining accurate inspection and production records.
• Following all applicable ISO and company quality procedures.

Safety Responsibilities

• Follow all Sanborn Tube and Fab safety policies and procedures.
• Wear required PPE at all times.
• Use proper lifting and material-handling techniques.
• Follow machine guarding and lockout/tagout requirements.
• Never bypass safety devices, guards, sensors, or interlocks.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area.
• Report unsafe conditions, near misses, injuries, and equipment problems immediately.
• Participate in required safety training.

Equipment and Tools

The operator may work with or around:

• Tube laser cutting equipment, including BLM tube laser systems.
• Calipers and measuring devices.
• Tape measures and gauges.
• Hand tools.
• Laser consumables and tooling.
• Computer-based production and ERP systems.
• Global Shop Solutions ERP system.

Qualifications

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Previous manufacturing experience preferred.
• Mechanical aptitude and ability to understand machine operation.
• Ability to read and understand basic engineering drawings.
• Ability to use basic measuring instruments.
• Basic computer skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Reliable attendance and punctuality.
• Commitment to safety and quality.

Preferred

• Experience operating BLM tube laser equipment.
• CNC machine operating experience.
• Experience with Global Shop Solutions or another manufacturing ERP system.
• Experience reading GD&T and detailed engineering drawings.
• Previous experience in tube fabrication or metal manufacturing.

Physical Requirements

The position requires the ability to:

• Stand and walk for extended periods.
• Frequently bend, reach, push, pull, and lift.
• Safely handle tubing and manufactured components.
• Lift and move materials within the requirements of the job and company safety procedures.
• Work around manufacturing equipment, noise, metal chips, and production materials.
• Wear required PPE for extended periods.

Key Performance Expectations

Success in this position will be measured by:

• Safety: Consistently following all safety requirements.
• Quality: Producing parts that meet customer and engineering specifications.
• Productivity: Meeting established production schedules and standards.
• Machine Utilization: Operating equipment efficiently and minimizing unnecessary downtime.
• Scrap Reduction: Identifying and preventing causes of scrap and rework.
• Attendance: Maintaining dependable attendance and punctuality.
• Housekeeping: Maintaining a clean, organized, and safe work center.
• Communication: Promptly communicating machine, quality, material, and production issues.
• Teamwork: Working effectively with production, quality, engineering, maintenance, and scheduling personnel.

The Tube Laser Operator works primarily in a manufacturing environment and may be exposed to machine noise, metal products, moving equipment, cutting processes, and varying temperatures. Proper PPE and adherence to all safety procedures are required. Open positions are available on 1st, 2nd, and weekend shifts.

What We Offer:

• Competitive wages
• Paid vacation
• 401(k) with company match
• Comprehensive benefits package to include Health, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance.
• Voluntary Value Share Plan (a Russel Metals stock option).

The Company is committed to providing a safe, quality-focused, and team-oriented manufacturing environment where employees can develop their skills and grow with the company.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to grounds protected by law including race, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, genetic characteristics and disability

#WIB

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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