1st Shift Laser Cutting Machine Operator

Our Story

Established in 1974, Southern Metalcraft is a custom sheet metal fabricating firm located in Social Circle, Georgia. From the beginning we have been constantly striving to provide the most advanced processing capabilities to our customers. With all manufacturing services in-house, we are able to handle any project, from the simple part to the complex assembly. From order taking through delivery, our first priority is to meet our customers’ needs.

The most important and valued asset of SMI is our employees. Good equipment is only as good as those who operate it, and we take pride in finding, training, and keeping personnel that produce top quality products. We have accomplished this by promoting a positive work environment that allows our employees to grow and become skilled at multiple tasks and work centers.

Job Title: Laser Cutting Machine Operator

What we are looking for:

We are looking for a Laser Cutting Machine Operator to join us in our new Social Circle facility. This person will be working alongside other operators cutting metal parts for our customers. They will interact with the engineering, other fabrication departments, and QC teams to produce top quality products for our customers.

Since this position is key to our success, we are looking for someone that is motivated, positive and excited about making an impact and helping us all succeed.

Position Overview

The Laser Operator is responsible for safely and efficiently operating Southern Metalcraft's CNC laser cutting equipment to produce high-quality sheet metal components from job travelers, engineering drawings, nests, and production schedules. The role covers the full cycle of laser work — setting up and running the machine, loading and verifying programs, handling and identifying material, inspecting parts for dimensional and quality standards, and performing routine maintenance and troubleshooting.

Core Responsibilities

1. Machine Operation & Production

• Set up and operate CNC laser cutting machines
• Load raw sheet material onto laser tables
• Load, verify, and run laser programs
• Monitor cutting operations and respond to machine alarms
• Perform startup and shutdown procedures
• Change and center nozzles; clean and change lenses as required
• Adjust cutting conditions to maintain acceptable tolerances and edge quality (Level 2+)
• Perform basic or advanced program editing depending on operator level

2. Material Handling

• Identify correct material type and thickness prior to cutting
• Operate forklift to move sheet material, skeletons, and finished pallets
• Unload cut parts from sheets; detab and deburr as required
• Separate, count, stack, and label finished parts for the next operation

3. Quality Control

• Read and interpret traveler packets, BOMs, drawings, and nests
• Perform dimensional inspections using tape measure (to 1/32”) and calipers
• Conduct first-piece and random inspections according to quality protocol (Level 2+)
• Maintain acceptable operational non-conformance rates according to level standards

4. Maintenance & Troubleshooting

• Troubleshoot and resolve common laser alarms
• Perform preventative maintenance including lens changes, focus adjustments, slat replacement, and dust collector maintenance
• Contact manufacturer support when required (Level 3)

5. Safety & Workplace Standards

• Follow all OSHA and Southern Metalcraft safety policies
• Wear required PPE at all times
• Maintain a clean and organized work area
• Immediately report unsafe conditions
• Follow lockout/tagout procedures when required

6. Team & Culture

• Support Southern Metalcraft's mission and operational goals
• Assist other operators with large or heavy parts
• Train and mentor lower-level operators as needed (Level 2+)
• Demonstrate reliability in attendance, attitude, quality control, and efficiency
• Perform other production-related duties as assigned

Required

• Ability to stand for entire shift, bend, squat, twist, and move freely.
• Ability to lift, flip, and maneuver up to 50 lbs repeatedly.
• Ability to lift, flip, and maneuver up to 75 lbs with assistance.
• Must be able to perform assigned job duties throughout the entirety of the scheduled shift.
• Must be able to safely push, pull, and reach overhead as required to perform essential job functions.
• Must be able to perform tasks requiring fine motor skills, manual dexterity, and hand-eye coordination to safely complete the essential functions of the position.
• Read a tape measure to 1/32", and work with a protractor, angle gauge, and calipers.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Mechanical aptitude to change tooling, read/set machine parameters, and identify equipment faults.
• Ability to read and interpret shop travelers and bend drawings detailing angle, dimension, and bend sequence.
• Attention to detail and commitment to first-pass quality — able to identify a non-conforming part before passing to the next operation.
• Ability to follow written SOPs and verbal instructions precisely and consistently.
• Basic math skills for counting, measuring, and verifying part quantities against travelers.

Preferred

• Prior experience operating CNC laser cutting equipment
• Familiarity with G-Code editing and program adjustments
• Experience adjusting cutting conditions (feed rate, gas pressure, focus) to maintain quality
• Forklift certification already obtained
• Experience training or mentoring other operators

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

This position requires the ability to:

• Stand and walk continuously for the full duration of a 10-hour shift
• Lift, carry, and move materials weighing up to 50 pounds on a regular basis
• Frequently bend, twist, reach, push, and pull
• Use hands and fingers to handle tools, parts, and measuring instruments
• Work in an industrial manufacturing environment with exposure to moving machinery, loud noise, dust and metal particles, and forklift traffic

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $16.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person