Manufacturing Technician

Company Name: Ward’s Manufacturing, LLC

Job Title: Manufacturing Technician

Location: In-person at Warren, Rhode Island 02885 location

Salary: $23-28/ hour, depending on experience

Job Type: Full-time, hourly pay, with medical, dental, paid time off, and 401k

Hours: 40 hours per week. Standard hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm with a 30-minute lunch break. Some flexibility in hours is allowed.

Work Authorization: Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Department: Production

Supervisor: Production Lead

About Ward’s Manufacturing

Ward’s Manufacturing is a precision metal fabrication shop founded by siblings Kiffin and Kelly Ward. We specialize in fiber laser cutting, CNC press brake bending, machining, and part design, producing custom metal parts for industries ranging from aerospace and robotics to sports equipment and public art.

As a small but growing shop, we take pride in high-quality work, fast turnaround times, and solving challenging fabrication problems. Our team works directly with the founders, giving employees the opportunity to make a real impact in shaping the company as we grow. If you enjoy building things, solving problems, and helping lead a team in a fast-moving fabrication environment, Ward’s Manufacturing offers a unique opportunity to grow with a young company.

About the Role

Ward’s Manufacturing is seeking a Manufacturing Technician to join our team and help us meet our production goals. The Manufacturing Technician’s primary responsibilities are to operate and maintain a fiber laser cutter and a press brake. This includes reviewing part drawings, machine calibration and set-up, inputting data from drawing dimensions to form parts, operating and maintaining the machines, and ensuring part quality. Other tasks include receiving deliveries, material handling, deburring and cleaning parts, quality control and assurance, and packing parts to be ready for shipment. 

We are looking for someone with mechanical aptitude and a strong work ethic willing to step up and help with various tasks to help run and grow our small business. There are opportunities for professional development and career advancement.

Responsibilities 

Fiber Laser Cutting

• Review drawings and job orders to determine specifications, such as materials to be used and fiber laser settings to adjust, and set up the fiber laser accordingly.
• Set up and operate the fiber laser to cut sheet metal to specification.
• Select appropriate nozzles, assist gas, and cutting parameters.
• Adjust programs when required to match job requirements.

Press Brake Forming

• Set up and operate the CNC press brake to bend parts to specification.
• Select appropriate top punches and bottom dies.
• Adjust back gauge, top punch, and bottom die positions according to drawings and process instructions.
• Verify part dimensions and angles before and after bending using calipers, pin/block gauges, digital angle finders, micrometers, dial indicators, height/drop gauges and other precision-measuring instruments.
• Adjust bend programs when needed.

Secondary Operations

• Operate deburring, machining, and finishing equipment as needed.
• Move material using overhead crane, vacuum lifter, forklift and pallet jacks.
• Receive materials, package parts, and ship orders.
• Assist with deliveries to and from vendors and customers. 
• Perform routine machine cleaning and maintenance.

Quality & Process Control

• Perform quality control procedures, including First Article Inspection (FAI), in-process, and final inspections.
• Ensure parts meet drawing requirements, tolerances, and customer specifications, ensuring accuracy in measurements, angles, and alignment.
• Use precision measuring equipment including calipers, micrometers, gauges, and angle finders.
• Coordinate with the Production Lead to address defects or rework.
• Maintain production documentation and shop records.
• Support inventory tracking of metal, materials, and work-in-progress.

Misc.

• Adhere to shop safety practices and proper equipment use.
• Maintain clean, organized work areas.
• Communicate effectively with other team members to meet production goals.
• Complete and maintain all required documentation.
• Maintain a material inventory system.
• Perform all other duties and tasks as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Ability to read and interpret manufacturing drawings and specifications in their flat pattern and bent forms.
• Attention to detail and ability to follow instructions accurately.
• Experience with precision measuring tools (calipers, gauges, micrometers, etc.).
• Good math skills to help understand complex instructions, how schematics work and to make sure items are progressively formed correctly.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Strong communication skills, in English (written & oral).
• Mechanical aptitude. 
• Good teamwork skills.
• Good troubleshooting and decision making skills.
• An independent worker who can be trusted to complete tasks without supervision.
• Must have own transportation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a small, high-mix fabrication or machine shop.
• Knowledge of metal fabrication techniques and materials.
• Experience operating fiber lasers or CNC press brakes. 
• Familiarity with CAD files such as SolidWorks, STEP or DXF.
• Forklift experience.  
• Manual and automated deburring or sanding equipment experience.
• Manual mill (Bridgeport) experience.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001 quality systems.

Benefits

• Paid time off; 10 holidays, 10 days vacation, 5 sick/personal days per year
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• 401k
• On the job technical training with the latest metal fabrication technology, including a 3kw fiber laser and 10ft., 190 ton CNC press brake. 
• Opportunities for career advancement. 

Diversity

We welcome all backgrounds and encourage you to apply if this role interests and excites you. All applicants will be considered without regard to sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, medical condition, Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Ward’s Manufacturing is an Equal Opportunity Employer.