Machine Operator -- Woodworking/CNC

Position Summary

The Machine Operator runs one or more primary work centers on the shop floor — most commonly the Biesse Rover CNC nesting cell (with its Barbaric CSF panel-storage feed and Automatech Robotik Armony robotic offload), the Biesse Rover Up automated edgebanding line. The operator is responsible for producing accurate, cleanly finished parts from programs, keeping the cell running at target rates, and maintaining the equipment to Demeter's cleanliness, safety, and preventive-maintenance standards.

Key Responsibilities

Machine operation

• Load CNC programs in BiesseWorks and verify tooling, spoilboard condition, vacuum zones, and material call-outs before starting a nest
• Stage sheet goods through the Barbaric CSF panel-storage system; confirm the correct material, thickness, grain, and quantity match the work order and BOM, and protect finish-face material from damage in storage and transit
• Run the Biesse Rover CNC machines and monitor the Automatech Robotik Armony outfeed for pick-quality, mis-picks, label placement, and sort-rack routing; clear faults and restart cycles safely
• Operate the edgebander to run parts at spec — glue temperature and quantity, feed speed, trim, scrape, and buff — and verify edge quality on the first-off (first-piece inspection) and periodic checks

Quality

• Perform first-article inspection on every new work order and periodic in-process checks (dimensions, edge quality, hole locations, finish surface)
• Reject and quarantine nonconforming parts

Housekeeping and PM

• Perform daily start-up and end-of-shift cleaning of the operator's cell (dust-collection ports, sensors, spoilboard, edgebander glue-pot area, robot vision windows)
• Complete assigned weekly, monthly, and quarterly preventive-maintenance tasks
• Keep aisles, sort racks, and staging areas clear per the shop 5S standard

Minimum Qualifications

• **At least three years of working experience **operating production woodworking equipment
• **Experience operating a CNC at production-level output **— we operate Biesse Rover CNC machines
• **Experience using BiesseWorks **or similar CNC operating/programming software
• **Knowledge of cabinet manufacturing, materials, and hardware **— sheet goods, edge materials, fasteners, connectors, drawer slides, hinges, and pulls
• **Experience reading and interpreting production programs, **cut lists, and part labels.
• **Material-handling and storage techniques **for sheet goods and finished parts, including grain direction, finish-face protection, and safe stacking/staging
• **Detail-focused **— first-off inspection, in-process checks, and catching issues before they scrap parts
• **Able to meet deadlines **and consistently hit shift/work-order targets
• **Able to work overtime and weekends **as production requires
• **Works well with others **— communicates cleanly with the next station, engineering, and Project Managers
• Physically able to lift up to 75 lb occasionally and 50 lb regularly, stand for a full shift, and safely handle 4×8 and 5×12 sheet goods with the provided material-handling equipment
• Reliable attendance
• Authorized to work in the United States
• High school diploma or equivalent

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience on Biesse Rover series CNC routers or comparable Biesse flat-table nesting/pod-and-rail machines
• Experience with automated panel storage/retrieval (Barbaric, Homag TLF, Schelling, or similar) and/or robotic unloading cells (Automatech, HOMAG, Biesse Winstore)
• Experience running an automated edgebander (Biesse Stream, Homag Ambition/Edgeteq, IMA, SCM Stefani), including tape/PUR glue changes and trim/scraper unit setup
• Basic tooling changeover skills (collets, aggregates, saw blades, edgebander glue changeovers)
• Forklift certification (electric sit-down and/or reach truck)
• OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 (General Industry)

What Success Looks Like in the First 90 Days

• **Day 30: **Safely and independently operating the assigned primary work center and running standard Microvellum jobs to spec
• **Day 60: **Consistently hitting or exceeding target throughput on your cell, running the operator PM checklist without reminders, and catching material or program issues before they scrap parts
• **Day 90: **Cross-trained on at least one secondary work center, contributing to shift attainment and first-pass yield goals, and comfortable escalating priority or quality issues through the production system

You should be proficient in:

• Equipment Troubleshooting
• CNC Tooling
• Troubleshooting Skills
• CNC Programming
• CNC Machine Repair
• OSHA 10-Hour Certification (OSHA 10)
• G-Code
• CNC Machine Setup & Changeover
• Precision Measurement & Hand Metrology
• Advanced Inspection & Gauge Measurement
• Spindle Maintenance & Repair
• Machine Setups for Production Runs

Machines & technologies you'll use:

• Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems (ASRS)
• CNC Automation Solutions
• Sit-Down Forklift (Toyota)
• CNC Router
• CAD Software (AutoCAD)
• ERP Software
• CAM Software
• Calipers and Micrometers
• Vision System
• Industrial Robot (Kuka)
• Edge Bander