LASER MACHINE OPERATOR

Department: Production / Manufacturing
Designation: Laser Machine Operator
Location: Manufacturing Plant
Reporting To: Production Supervisor / Production Manager
Experience: 1–5 Years
Employment Type: Full-Time

1. Job Purpose

To operate and monitor CNC/laser cutting machines safely and efficiently to produce high-quality sheet-metal components as per approved drawings, production plans, and quality standards.

2. Key Responsibilities

A. Machine Operation

· Operate CNC Laser Cutting machines as per production requirements.

· Load and unload sheet-metal/raw materials safely.

· Set machine parameters such as cutting speed, power, gas pressure, and focus as required.

· Select and run approved CNC programs for different components.

· Monitor machine performance during production.

· Ensure correct material grade, thickness, and dimensions before starting production.

· Carry out first-piece inspection before continuing batch production.

· Maintain proper machine settings to minimize rejection and material wastage.

B. Production

· Achieve daily/shift production targets as assigned by the Production Supervisor.

· Follow production schedules and prioritize jobs based on production requirements.

· Ensure maximum machine utilization and minimize machine idle time.

· Follow nesting/program instructions to optimize material utilization.

· Report production delays, machine breakdowns, and material shortages immediately.

C. Quality Control

· Check dimensions and quality of laser-cut components using measuring instruments.

· Identify issues such as:

o Incorrect dimensions

o Excessive burrs

o Incomplete cutting

o Burn marks

o Distortion

o Incorrect holes/slots

o Wrong program or material

· Ensure components conform to approved drawings and specifications.

· Segregate rejected/non-conforming components and inform the Quality/Production team.

D. Machine Maintenance

· Perform routine machine cleaning and basic preventive maintenance.

· Check cutting nozzles, lenses, filters, gas lines, and other consumable parts.

· Maintain proper housekeeping around the machine.

· Report abnormal machine sounds, vibration, errors, or breakdowns immediately.

· Do not make unauthorized modifications or repairs to the machine.

E. Safety

· Strictly follow factory safety rules and machine operating procedures.

· Use required PPE such as safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, and other applicable protective equipment.

· Follow laser-machine safety procedures.

· Ensure machine guards and safety systems are functioning properly.

· Handle sheet-metal materials carefully to avoid injury.

· Maintain a clean and obstruction-free working area.

· Immediately report unsafe conditions, accidents, and near-miss incidents.

F. Documentation

· Maintain production records and machine operating logs.

· Record production quantity, rejection quantity, downtime, and material usage as required.

· Complete shift handover reports accurately.

· Record machine breakdowns and maintenance issues.

· Ensure traceability of materials and finished components.

3. Required Skills

· Knowledge of CNC laser cutting machine operation.

· Basic knowledge of sheet-metal manufacturing processes.

· Ability to read engineering drawings.

· Knowledge of basic measurement tools such as:

o Vernier caliper

o Measuring tape

o Micrometer, where applicable

· Basic understanding of CNC programs and machine parameters.

· Knowledge of different sheet-metal materials and thicknesses.

· Ability to identify basic cutting defects.

· Good numerical and problem-solving skills.

· Ability to work in shifts.

· Good discipline and teamwork.

4. Educational Qualification

Minimum: ITI / Diploma in Mechanical, Production, Manufacturing, or related technical discipline.

ITI candidates with relevant laser/CNC machine operating experience may also be considered.

5. Experience

· Freshers: ITI candidates with relevant technical knowledge may be considered.

· Experienced: 1–5 years of experience operating CNC Laser Cutting machines in a sheet-metal/manufacturing environment.

· Experience with Fiber Laser / CNC Laser Cutting machines will be preferred.

6. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

· Daily production target achievement

· Machine utilization

· Production efficiency

· Rejection percentage

· Material utilization

· First-piece approval accuracy

· Machine downtime

· Cutting quality

· Adherence to production schedule

· Safety compliance

· 5S/housekeeping compliance

7. Preferred Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate should be:

· Technically competent in laser machine operation

· Quality-conscious

· Safety-conscious

· Able to work under production pressure

· Willing to work in shifts

· Disciplined and punctual

· Good at following work instructions

· Capable of working independently as well as with a team

8. Career Growth

Laser Machine Operator → Senior Laser Machine Operator → Laser Machine Setter → Production Supervisor → Production Engineer / Team Leader

Note: The employee is expected to comply with all company policies, safety procedures, quality standards, attendance requirements, and instructions issued by authorized supervisors.