Punch / Laser Lead

Job Description

Job Description

Punch / Laser Lead

New facility opening in Rowlett, TX

1st shift - $30 - $38

Job Description

The Punch / Laser Lead oversees CNC punch press and laser cutting operations on a stable first-shift schedule, ensuring high-quality production, efficient workflows, and strong technical execution. This role combines expert-level machine setup, program validation, and process optimization with hands-on leadership of operators and direct ownership of production performance in a growing manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations of CNC punch presses and laser cutters, ensuring production meets quality, safety, and throughput targets.
• Perform expert-level setup on CNC punch presses and laser cutting equipment, including tooling selection, machine configuration, and validation of setup parameters.
• Read, interpret, and validate CNC programs (including G-code and machine-specific code) to ensure accurate and efficient production.
• Apply strong knowledge of tooling selection, wear patterns, and sheet metal behavior for materials such as steel and aluminum to optimize cutting and punching processes.
• Optimize nesting strategies to maximize material utilization, reduce scrap, and improve overall efficiency.
• Perform first article inspections to confirm part accuracy, dimensional compliance, and adherence to customer and engineering specifications.
• Diagnose and resolve cut quality issues such as burn, taper, burrs, and other defects, adjusting machine parameters and processes as needed.
• Monitor and reduce scrap rates while improving setup times and throughput, using data and key performance indicators to drive continuous improvement.
• Assign daily work to operators across multiple machines, balancing workloads and priorities to meet production schedules.
• Train operators on proper machine setup, operation, safety practices, and quality standards to build a capable and consistent team.
• Enforce production and quality standards on the shop floor, ensuring adherence to established procedures and best practices.
• Collaborate closely with engineering and programming teams to review and refine programs, address manufacturability issues, and implement process improvements.
• Utilize ERP and/or MES systems to track jobs, monitor performance, and maintain accurate production records.
• Support lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives, contributing ideas and implementing changes that enhance efficiency and quality.
• Monitor basic machine and tooling condition, coordinate basic maintenance activities, and escalate issues to maintenance or leadership when needed.
• Communicate effectively with both shop floor personnel and office teams to coordinate priorities, resolve issues, and ensure smooth production flow.

Essential Skills

• Expert-level setup experience on CNC punch presses and laser cutters.
• Ability to read, interpret, and validate CNC programs, including G-code and machine-specific code.
• Strong knowledge of tooling selection, tooling wear, and their impact on cut and punch quality.
• Strong understanding of sheet metal behavior, particularly for steel and aluminum, in punching and laser cutting operations.
• Proficiency in nesting optimization to improve material utilization and reduce scrap.
• Demonstrated ability to perform first article inspections and verify parts against specifications and prints.
• Proven capability to diagnose cut quality issues such as burn, taper, burrs, and other defects and implement corrective actions.
• Leadership experience assigning work, training operators, and enforcing standards in a production environment.
• Strong communication skills for effective coordination between shop floor and office teams.
• Basic maintenance awareness related to tooling condition and machine health.
• Experience working with engineering and programming teams in a manufacturing setting.
• Exposure to ERP or MES systems for tracking jobs and performance metrics.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement practices.
• Familiarity with KPI tracking, including setup time, scrap rate, and throughput.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience leading or mentoring operators in a production or fabrication environment.
• Comfort working with production data and performance metrics to drive improvements.
• Ability to work independently with a high degree of technical autonomy.
• Strong attention to detail when reviewing blueprints, programs, and inspection results.
• Capability to support cross-functional collaboration with engineering, programming, and operations teams.
• Interest in contributing to the development and shaping of a growing department.

Why Work Here?

You will join a growing organization that actively invests in modern equipment, people, and systems, giving you the tools and autonomy needed to excel. The role offers a high-impact opportunity to take direct ownership of production performance and help build and shape a department, rather than simply maintaining the status quo. You can expect a clear emphasis on technical excellence, continuous improvement, and empowerment to make decisions that improve quality and efficiency. The stable first-shift schedule supports work-life balance, with no typical night or weekend work, while the company’s focus on growth creates opportunities for ongoing development and increased responsibility.

Work Environment

This role operates in a non-climate-controlled manufacturing facility in a newer plant environment, centered around CNC punch presses and laser cutting equipment. You will work on a consistent first-shift schedule from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM, providing predictable hours and minimizing night or weekend requirements. The setting is a hands-on production floor where you will regularly interact with operators, engineering, and programming staff, using ERP or MES systems and standard inspection tools such as calipers and other measuring devices. The environment emphasizes safety, productivity, and collaboration while supporting continuous improvement and the integration of new equipment and processes.

This is a Permanent position based out of Rowlett, TX.

The pay range for this position is $62000.00 - $79000.00/yr.

Time Off Benefits (after an employee’s 90-day anniversary)
• 7 Paid Holidays (New Year's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day)
• Non-Exempt accrue 40 PTO hours during Year 1 and 80 PTO hours in Year 2.
• Exempt employees accrue 80 PTO hours during Year 1 and 120 PTO hours in Year 2.
• Maximum of 40 hours of PTO can be carried over to the new calendar year. Benefits (after the first of the month following employee’s 90-day anniversary)
• Company pays 90% of medical premiums for Employee Only coverage.
• Aetna Dental and Aetna Vision coverage available.
• Short-Term Disability (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) are fully company paid.
• Company-paid life insurance benefit of $50,000. Voluntary Supplemental Life available. Retirement 401k (after the first of the month following their 6-month anniversary)
• Company contributes 100% match on the first 3% and 50% match on the next 2%

This is a fully onsite position in Rowlett,TX.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 27, 2026.

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meet their goals, skills, and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role in solving companies’ construction, manufacturing, and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are-everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.

Company Description

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meet their goals, skills, and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role in solving companies’ construction, manufacturing, and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are-everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.