Machine Operator - Weekend Nights Friday thru Sunday 12 Hour Shifts

Summary

The Machine Operator is responsible for setting up, operating, and monitoring polishing equipment to produce tubing that meets RathGibson quality, safety, and productivity standards. This position ensures proper machine setup, maintains product quality throughout production, performs routine maintenance, and supports continuous improvement initiatives.

Essential Functions

• Set up polishing equipment for various tube diameters, wall thicknesses, and customer specifications.
• Install and adjust polishing heads, belts, abrasives, guides, and related tooling to ensure proper machine operation and product quality.
• Perform equipment changeovers efficiently while minimizing downtime.
• Verify traveler requirements, work instructions, material identification, and customer specifications prior to production.
• Inspect tubing throughout production using required measuring equipment, surface finish standards, and visual inspection techniques.
• Monitor machine performance and adjust polishing heads, pressure, feed rates, speeds, alignment, belts, and abrasives as necessary to achieve required surface finish, dimensional requirements, and product quality standards.
• Perform setup verification by confirming travelers, work instructions, tooling, abrasives, required gauges, and quality documentation are correct prior to production.
• Complete required production documentation including footage produced, yields, scrap, downtime, quality checks, and labor reporting.
• Perform routine preventive maintenance including changing belts and abrasives, cleaning equipment, replacing wear components, and reporting mechanical issues.
• Troubleshoot equipment and process issues while communicating abnormalities to supervision and maintenance.
• Safely operate cranes, hoists, forklifts, and other material handling equipment as authorized.
• Maintain work areas in accordance with 6S standards and participate in continuous improvement efforts.
• Follow all safety procedures, lockout/tagout requirements, quality procedures, and company policies.
• Perform other related duties assigned to support department and company objectives.
  
  

Additional Responsibilities

• Participate in company-wide 6S initiatives.
• Maintain vigilance for export compliance.
• Contribute to efforts to maintain and improve the Quality Management System (QMS).
• Assist with training new operators as assigned.
• Support production scheduling by prioritizing work in accordance with department needs.
  
  

Qualifications

• Education
• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Technical certification or manufacturing training is preferred.
• Manufacturing or machine operation experience preferred.
• Experience with polishing or finishing equipment is a plus.
• Ability to read and interpret travelers, work instructions, and quality documentation.
• Ability to use measuring equipment including calipers, micrometers, tape measures, and surface finish gauges.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a team environment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
  
  

Knowledge & Skills

• Mechanical aptitude
• Basic computer skills
• Quality inspection techniques
• Ability to interpret work instructions and production documentation
• Problem-solving skills
• Strong communication and teamwork
• Time management
• Continuous improvement mindset
  
  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Frequent bending, twisting, squatting, and Kneeling.
• Ability to lift 35 pounds regularly.
• Ability to safely handle tubing and polishing components using lifting devices.
• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with noise, moving equipment, heat, and polishing dust while wearing required PPE.