Laser Operator Programmer

Job Description

Job Description:Laser Programmer– $30-$35/hr 1st shiftEmployment Type: Temp-to-HireAbout CloudRayCloudRay, based in East Windsor, NJ, is a trusted staffing partner with 25+ years of industry experience, connecting skilled talent with leading companies across the U.S. We specialize in industrial, logistics, IT, hospitality, and skilled trades staffing — ensuring candidates find stable opportunities with growth potential.Position Summary:The Laser Welding Machine Operator and Programmer is responsible for programming, setting up, operating, and monitoring TRUMPF laser welding equipment used to manufacture components and assemblies for detention locks, hollow-metal products, security systems, and other engineered solutions for correctional facilities.This position develops and maintains laser welding programs, reviews SolidWorks models and engineering drawings, establishes appropriate welding parameters and sequences, verifies fixture and part alignment, and inspects completed welds. The operator/programmer works closely with Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, and Production to improve weld quality, production efficiency, repeatability, and equipment utilization. Because products support the safety and security of correctional facilities, dimensional accuracy, weld integrity, process control, and consistent compliance with approved procedures are essential.Essential Duties and Responsibilities Program, set up, operate, and monitor TRUMPF laser welding equipment. Develop, modify, test, and maintain machine programs using applicable TRUMPF programming software. Review SolidWorks models, assemblies, and drawings to determine weld locations, part orientation, joint design, fit-up requirements, tolerances, and fixture needs. Import, interpret, or otherwise use CAD data when developing laser welding programs and production processes. Establish appropriate weld paths, sequences, speeds, power settings, focal positions, shielding-gas requirements, and other approved process parameters. Conduct program prove-outs and first-piece runs before releasing parts for production. Load, position, align, fixture, and remove components and assemblies from the welding system. Verify that materials, parts, fixtures, tooling, and machine programs correspond with the applicable work order and engineering revision. Confirm proper joint fit-up, weld location, part orientation, clamping, and fixture alignment before beginning each welding cycle. Monitor machine operation and make authorized adjustments to maintain weld quality, dimensional conformity, and production efficiency. Identify and correct routine programming, fit-up, fixturing, alignment, and welding-process issues. Recognize common laser welding defects, including incomplete fusion, porosity, undercut, excessive penetration, burn-through, cracking, distortion, misalignment, and inconsistent bead appearance. Perform visual and dimensional inspections using calipers, micrometers, height gauges, weld gauges, fixtures, templates, and other approved inspection equipment. Complete first-piece and in-process inspections and document results as required. Identify, label, and segregate nonconforming material in accordance with quality procedures. Stop production and notify the appropriate supervisor, Quality representative, Engineer, or Maintenance employee when conditions could affect safety, quality, equipment, or production. Maintain organized program files, setup information, parameter records, and revision-controlled documentation. Ensure that only approved program revisions, engineering drawings, and work instructions are used for production. Recommend and implement approved improvements to programs, fixtures, weld sequences, cycle times, part handling, and manufacturing processes. Assist Engineering and Quality personnel with process development, prototype work, testing, root-cause analysis, and corrective actions. Assist with the design or improvement of welding fixtures and production tooling using SolidWorks or other approved systems. Safely handle raw materials, fabricated parts, fixtures, tooling, and completed assemblies. Use cranes, hoists, carts, forklifts, or other material-handling equipment when properly trained and authorized. Accurately record quantities produced, scrap, rework, downtime, inspection results, and other required production information. Perform assigned equipment inspections, cleaning, lens or protective-window checks, and basic preventive-maintenance activities. Maintain the work area in accordance with housekeeping and 5S expectations. Meet established safety, quality, productivity, schedule, scrap, and efficiency requirements. Protect company programs, drawings, models, specifications, processes, and other confidential or proprietary information. Perform other related duties as assigned.Programming and Technical Responsibilities Create and optimize laser welding programs for new and existing components. Use applicable TRUMPF software to define weld paths, process parameters, part positions, and operating sequences. Use SolidWorks to open, review, measure, and interpret parts, assemblies, and manufacturing drawings. Create or modify basic SolidWorks models, assemblies, or fixture concepts when assigned and authorized. Evaluate CAD geometry for manufacturability and identify potential fit-up, access, tolerance, distortion, or fixture concerns. Verify that program revisions correspond with current engineering revisions. Maintain backups and organized storage of approved machine programs. Document standard setups, fixture locations, weld parameters, shielding-gas requirements, and inspection points. Optimize machine motion and weld sequences to reduce cycle time without compromising safety or quality. Participate in the development of welding standards, setup sheets, work instructions, and preventive-maintenance requirements. Assist in evaluating new materials, joint configurations, fixtures, tooling, and laser welding applications. Troubleshoot equipment alarms, program errors, communication problems, and process inconsistencies within the employee's training and authorization. Escalate complex electrical, mechanical, optical, software, or equipment problems to Maintenance, Engineering, TRUMPF technical support, or other authorized personnel.Safety Responsibilities Follow all safety policies and equipment-specific procedures. Complete required laser-safety and machine-specific training before independently operating or programming laser welding equipment. Wear required personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, safety footwear, hearing protection, gloves, and laser-specific protective equipment when applicable. Follow machine-guarding, lockout/tagout, electrical-safety, compressed-gas, ventilation, material-handling, and laser-control procedures. Never bypass or disable machine guards, doors, enclosures, interlocks, sensors, light curtains, or other engineered safety controls. Verify that required guards, enclosures, exhaust systems, shielding-gas systems, and safety devices are functional before operation. Follow approved procedures when accessing the welding cell for setup, adjustment, inspection, cleaning, or maintenance. Promptly report unsafe conditions, damaged equipment, malfunctioning safeguards, injuries, and near misses. Operate hoists, forklifts, cranes, and other powered equipment only when trained and authorized. Maintain awareness of welding fumes, hot materials, compressed gases, sharp edges, moving machinery, and other manufacturing hazards.Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Demonstrated experience programming and operating TRUMPF laser welding equipment or comparable CNC-controlled industrial laser welding equipment. Demonstrated experience using TRUMPF programming software or comparable laser-processing and offline-programming software. Working proficiency with SolidWorks, including the ability to open, navigate, measure, and interpret part models, assemblies, and engineering drawings. Ability to create or modify basic SolidWorks models, assemblies, or fixture concepts. Knowledge of laser welding principles, including joint design, fit-up, focal position, beam placement, travel speed, power, shielding gas, heat input, and distortion control. Ability to develop, test, troubleshoot, and optimize machine programs. Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, geometric dimensions and tolerances, weld symbols, bills of material, work orders, and technical specifications. Understanding of sheet-metal fabrication, material properties, dimensional tolerances, and manufacturing processes. Ability to identify common weld defects and determine when parameter, fixture, fit-up, material, or equipment corrections may be required. Ability to use calipers, micrometers, height gauges, weld gauges, angle gauges, and other precision measuring equipment. Ability to perform accurate shop mathematics, including calculations involving decimals, fractions, angles, dimensions, and tolerances. Ability to maintain organized, revision-controlled machine programs and technical documentation. Ability to troubleshoot mechanical, programming, and process problems within authorized limits. Strong computer skills and ability to learn manufacturing, production-control, and quality-documentation systems. Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing repeatable, conforming welds and assemblies. Ability to communicate technical information clearly to operators, supervisors, engineers, Quality personnel, and Maintenance employees. Ability to work independently, prioritize assignments, and manage multiple production requirements. Ability to train or assist other operators on approved programs, setups, inspection requirements, and safe operating practices. Dependable attendance and punctuality.Education and ExperienceRequired: High school diploma or GED. At least two years of experience programming, setting up, or operating CNC laser welding, robotic welding, CNC laser processing, or comparable automated manufacturing equipment. Hands-on experience with TRUMPF laser welding equipment and TRUMPF programming software, or demonstrated experience with comparable industrial laser welding equipment and programming systems. Hands-on experience using SolidWorks to review and interpret 3D models, assemblies, and engineering drawings. Experience reading engineering drawings, dimensional tolerances, and weld symbols. Experience inspecting fabricated or welded components using precision measuring equipment.Preferred: Associate degree, technical diploma, or certificate in welding technology, manufacturing technology, CAD, CNC programming, robotics, mechatronics, industrial maintenance, or a related discipline. Three to five years of experience programming and operating automated laser welding equipment in a production environment. Direct experience with the specific TRUMPF laser welding system and software used by Willo Products. Experience with TRUMPF TruTops, TruTops Boost, or other applicable TRUMPF programming applications. Advanced SolidWorks experience, including modeling parts, working with assemblies, creating drawings, or designing manufacturing fixtures. Experience programming robotic or multi-axis welding systems. Experience developing fixtures and processes for repeatable production welding. Experience with stainless steel, carbon steel, coated metals, or other materials used in manufacturing operations. Experience manufacturing close-tolerance components, hollow-metal products, locking-device components, or security-related assemblies. Familiarity with lean manufacturing, 5S, root-cause analysis, and continuous-improvement methods. Forklift, crane, hoist, or other material-handling certification.Equivalent combinations of education, technical training, and directly relevant experience may be considered.Training RequirementsThe employee must successfully complete all training required for assigned duties, which may include: TRUMPF equipment operation and programming. Applicable TRUMPF software. SolidWorks and company CAD-data procedures. Laser-safety and controlled-area procedures. Machine guarding and lockout/tagout. Compressed-gas and ventilation safety. Quality inspection and nonconforming-material procedures. Material-handling equipment. Personal protective equipment and hazard communication. Program revision control and electronic file-management procedures. Work instructions, and production systems.Physical RequirementsThe employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation. Stand and walk for extended periods throughout the work shift. Sit and perform computer-based programming or CAD work for portions of the shift. Frequently use hands and fingers to operate computer equipment, machine controls, measuring instruments, fixtures, and hand tools. Frequently reach with the hands and arms and perform repetitive hand and upper-body movements. Regularly bend, stoop, crouch, kneel, twist, and reach when setting up equipment, positioning fixtures, loading components, and inspecting parts. Frequently lift, carry, and position materials, components, fixtures, or tooling weighing up to 50 pounds independently. Use team lifting or approved mechanical assistance for items exceeding safe individual lifting limits. Push and pull carts, fixtures, material containers, and other production equipment. Possess sufficient near vision, depth perception, peripheral vision, and ability to distinguish surface conditions to operate computer and machine interfaces, read drawings, verify dimensions, and inspect weld quality. Possess sufficient hearing, with or without accommodation, to recognize alarms, equipment conditions, and workplace instructions. Perform work requiring coordinated hand and foot movements and sustained attention around automated machinery.Work EnvironmentWork is performed in both a manufacturing environment and at a computer workstation. The employee may be exposed to: Operating machinery, robotic motion, and moving mechanical components. Laser welding systems operating within controlled and guarded cells. Sheet metal, fabricated components, fixtures, tooling, and sharp edges. Welding fumes, metal particulates, shielding gases, and metalworking substances. Noise, vibration, sparks, hot materials, and temperature variations. Powered industrial trucks, carts, cranes, hoists, and other material-handling equipment. Prolonged computer use while programming, reviewing models, or maintaining technical documentation.Client uses engineering controls, equipment guarding, ventilation, interlocked enclosures, safe-work procedures, and personal protective equipment to manage workplace hazards.Core Competencies Safety awareness Tec