Sheet Metal Machine Operator

Be yourself at Protolabs  Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification.  We are an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to building a diverse team that feels they are valued in the workplace.  So do you feel you do not meet every single requirement but still intrigued? We encourage you to still apply!  You can help make our company even better.  We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, age, mental or physical ability, or any way you represent yourself.  We strongly believe diversity makes for more successful teams.    Why Protolabs?  We are the leaders in digital manufacturing.  We hire doers, makers, and creative thinkers who tackle our roles with an entrepreneurial spirit.  Our culture is centered around meaningful work that brings new and innovative products to market at unprecedented speeds.  We are a diverse team that comes from all walks of life and take pride in our team who is smart, genuine, humble, and passionate about what we do.  It’s our people who fuel our creativity and make our culture feel like home. 

Join our team as a

Sheet Metal Machine Operator

Join a fast-paced, high-tech manufacturing team where your skills directly contribute to creating precision sheet metal parts for innovative products around the world. As a Sheet Metal Machine Operator, you will operate advanced equipment including lasers, press brakes, hardware insertion machines, and drills to produce high-quality components that meet exact customer specifications. This hands-on role combines machine operation, blueprint interpretation, quality inspection, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement in a dynamic production environment.

The ideal candidate is a motivated self-starter who thrives in a fast-moving setting, takes pride in delivering exceptional quality, and enjoys solving problems to keep production running efficiently. If you're passionate about precision manufacturing, safety, teamwork, and making a tangible impact every day, this is an exciting opportunity to build your skills and grow with an industry-leading company.

What You Will Do:

• Responsible for operating lasers, press brakes, hardware insertion machines and drills to produce sheet metal parts.
• Responsible for properly loading programs to the machines and changing offsets in the machine if needed.
• Must have a basic understanding of blueprint reading and geometric tolerances and how they relate to the finished part.
• Perform thorough part inspections and make appropriate decisions relative to part quality requirements.
• Ensure jobs are run in a timely manner to ensure on-time delivery.
• Adhere to all quality and safety standards within the department.
• Follows all processes and procedures during the shift, escalates problem areas to shift team lead/supervisor as appropriate.
• Support daily production by identifying solutions for chronic issues and problems that cannot be resolved by production associates.
• .Responsible for maintaining a neat and organized production area consistent with Protolabs housekeeping standards.
• Responsible for working in a safe manner consistent with Protolabs policies.
• Self-starter capable of dealing with a variety of tasks in a fast paced, multi-tasking environment.
• Responsible for ensuring completion of operator PMs during shift.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

What It Takes:

• Knowledge of Machining in a prototype manufacturing setting or related experience and education
• Familiarity with the tools of the trade; Microsoft Office suite of products, SolidWorks, CAD/CAM.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to use measuring instruments such as protractors, calipers, height gauges.
• Ability to interpret and explain written and statistical data.
• Strong attention to detail and communication skills.
• Ability to manage time and prioritize work in an effective manner.
• Highly developed, demonstrated teamwork skills.
• Demonstrates a high degree of confidentiality.
• Demonstrated ability to increase productivity and continuously improve methods, approaches, and departmental contribution while being cost-sensitive.
• Commitment to continuous learning.
• Commitment to customer or employee service.
• Previous experience in a Sheet Metal manufacturing environment. 

What's In It For You:

• We offer amazing benefits including but not limited to:
• Health Insurance: Traditional OR High Deductible plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Account (including employer contributions)
• Dental and Vision
• Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• Paid caregiver leave
• You will receive at least 3 weeks of PTO, Holiday Pay, and Volunteer Hours
• 401k with company match and immediate vest
• Employee Stock Purchase Program at a discounted rate
• Matching grants through Protolabs foundation
• And More!

Proto Labs maintains ITAR-compliant operations in all of our United States based facilities.  Due to ITAR regulations, this role is only open to U.S. Citizens, lawful permanent residents (green card holders) or foreign nationals granted refugee or asylee status.  Individuals with temporary visas (e.g. E, F-1, H-1, H-2, L, B, J, TN or OPT) are not eligible for hire in this role.   Proto Labs, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer   Physical Demands: While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to sit; use a computer keyboard, monitor and mouse, telephone and printer; reach with hands, and arms, talk, see and hear.  The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, stoop or kneel and must be able to lift and/or move up to 50+ pounds.    Work Environment: Indoors (A/C); nonsmoking; the majority of this job function is performed in a manufacturing area exposed to machinery and noise; with eye protection and safety shoes required. Occasionally works in outside weather conditions. Occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.