CNC/Plasma Operator

Position: CNC / Plasma Operator
Location: St. Charles, IL
Shift: 2nd Shift (Training on 1st Shift)
Compensation: $22 – $25/hour $1.20 shift differential (up to $26/hour for highly experienced candidates)
Employment Type: Contract-to-Hire

A well-established custom industrial equipment manufacturer in the western suburbs of Chicago is seeking a CNC / Plasma Operator to join their cutting department due to continued growth and increased production demand.

The company has built a strong reputation over several decades for producing high-quality, custom-engineered industrial equipment used across a wide range of industries. Unlike high-volume commodity manufacturers, they focus on precision, customization, and craftsmanship, working on complex builds where quality and attention to detail matter.

The organization is currently experiencing significant growth and has been investing heavily in facility upgrades, new equipment, and operational improvements. Their manufacturing plant is over 125,000 square feet, with expansion plans already underway to increase capacity. Leadership has also made substantial investments in new technology, equipment upgrades, and a modern ERP system implementation, reinforcing their long-term commitment to growth and operational excellence.

Because of this expansion, they have created a new 2nd shift position within their cutting department.

CNC / Plasma Operator

This role will operate a CNC plasma cutting machine to produce steel components based on simple blueprints and preloaded programs. The position plays an important role in the early stages of the manufacturing process, ensuring parts are accurately cut and prepared for downstream fabrication and welding operations.

The operator will be responsible for managing the full workflow of each job — from material loading and machine operation to finishing and staging completed parts for the next department.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys hands-on manufacturing work, independent responsibility, and being trusted to manage their own workflow on a smaller, tight-knit team.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate CNC plasma cutting equipment to cut steel components according to blueprints and job instructions
• Load raw materials and manage the cutting process using preloaded machine programs
• Inspect parts to ensure accuracy and tolerance requirements are met
• Perform secondary finishing operations including grinding, sanding, and cleaning plasma cut edges
• Mark and organize finished components for welding or downstream fabrication
• Use basic measuring tools such as tape measures, squares, and protractors to verify dimensions
• Maintain organization of materials and parts within the cutting area
• Work independently to complete assigned job lists during the shift

Ideal Background

• 1–4 years of CNC machine operation experience
• Experience operating cutting equipment such as plasma cutters, laser cutters, shears, press brakes, band saws, mills, or lathes
• Ability to read and interpret basic blueprints
• Comfortable using measuring tools and working within basic tolerances (approximately ±1/16")
• Experience in job shop or custom manufacturing environments is a strong plus
• Exposure to CNC program troubleshooting or minor adjustments is beneficial but not required
• Technical training or certification in CNC or manufacturing is a plus

Work Environment

The 2nd shift team is relatively small, so the ideal candidate will be someone who is self-motivated, dependable, and comfortable working independently while still collaborating with a team. Candidates who are hands-on, humble, and eager to learn tend to succeed best in this environment.

Training will take place on 1st shift and may last anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on experience level.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• Long-established manufacturer with decades of industry leadership
• Strong reputation for high-quality custom manufacturing
• Significant recent investment in equipment, technology, and facility improvements
• Facility expansion underway to support continued growth
• Collaborative manufacturing culture with strong leadership visibility
• Opportunity to work in a job-shop style environment producing custom parts rather than repetitive production

Interview Process:

1. Short phone screen with the hiring manager
2. On-site interview and facility walkthrough (may include a simple technical evaluation)

If you have experience operating CNC machines, plasma cutters, or similar fabrication equipment and are looking to join a stable and growing manufacturing company, this could be an excellent opportunity.