CNC Operator

Job Title: Fabrication Operator

Job Description

The Fabrication Operator prepares and operates CNC equipment to cut, drill, grind, and process steel components according to detailed specifications. This role interprets blueprints and work orders, sets up materials and machines, and ensures that all fabricated parts meet quality and safety standards. The Fabrication Operator works in a large, advanced steel fabrication facility and supports the production of complex structural and bridge projects.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and operate CNC machines for fabrication tasks such as cutting, drilling, and grinding steel components.
• Read and interpret blueprints, mechanical drawings, schematics, and work orders to understand job specifications and tolerances.
• Perform material setups prior to running machines, including positioning and securing workpieces and selecting appropriate tools.
• Set up and operate various fabrication equipment including plasma and oxy-fuel CNC burn tables, shear, punch press, press brake, drill press, router, bandsaw, and other plate processing machines.
• Run plasma and oxy-fuel CNC burn tables to cut parts accurately according to prints and job requirements.
• Use measuring devices such as tape measures, micrometers, and calipers to verify dimensions and ensure parts meet specifications.
• Use a hand torch to cut skeletons and perform necessary torch cutting operations safely and efficiently.
• Operate overhead cranes and other material handling equipment to move, position, and stage materials and finished parts.
• Inspect machinery regularly to identify issues and perform daily preventive maintenance to keep equipment in optimal working condition.
• Inspect finished products for quality assurance, checking dimensions, finishes, and overall conformity to specifications.
• Troubleshoot equipment malfunctions and assist in resolving mechanical or operational issues to minimize downtime.
• Handle materials safely and appropriately, following established procedures for lifting, moving, and storing steel and components.
• Follow all safety requirements, procedures, and guidelines and maintain any required safety-related certifications.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and efficient work area to support safe and productive operations.
• Lift up to 50 pounds as needed and maintain the physical fitness required to perform regular fabrication and material handling tasks.
• Collaborate with team members, lead personnel, and other departments to meet production schedules and quality standards.

Essential Skills

• Experience operating industrial CNC machines such as saws, lasers, plasma tables, and burn tables.
• Ability to run plasma and oxy-fuel CNC burn tables and produce accurate parts to specification.
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting blueprints, mechanical drawings, prints, and schematics.
• Ability to perform machine setup, including tooling selection, workpiece positioning, and parameter adjustments.
• Experience with general machine operation in a fabrication or manufacturing environment.
• Strong proficiency in using a tape measure to take accurate measurements.
• Ability to use measuring devices such as micrometers and calipers to verify dimensions and tolerances.
• Experience working in an industrial manufacturing or steel fabrication environment.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and perform physically demanding tasks on a regular basis.
• Commitment to following safety procedures and maintaining required safety certifications.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Familiarity with overhead crane operation and other material handling equipment.
• Experience with burn tables, shear, punch press, press brake, drill press, router, bandsaw, and other fabrication machinery.
• Background in plate processing, including cutting, forming, and preparing steel plates for structural applications.
• Exposure to laser cutting operations and laser-based fabrication processes.
• Experience using hand torches for cutting skeletons and performing manual cutting operations.
• Comfort working from detailed prints and fabrication drawings for structural steel and bridge components.
• Willingness to work a fixed 4x10 schedule on either day shift (Monday–Thursday, 6:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) or swing shift (Monday–Thursday, 4:30 p.m. – 3:00 a.m.), as assigned.
• Openness to joining a union environment after conversion to a direct employee, with access to union-sponsored benefits and support.

Why Work Here?

You will join a highly respected steel fabrication organization with a long-standing reputation for delivering complex structural and bridge projects across the Western United States. The team includes experienced project management and fabrication specialists who take pride in their craftsmanship and technical expertise. After conversion to a direct employee, you will have the opportunity to join a strong trade union that advocates for higher wages, pension plans, family health coverage, and professional respect. You will contribute to high-profile projects such as bridges, hospitals, stadiums, commercial, and industrial buildings while developing your skills in a stable, growth-oriented environment.

Work Environment

The role is based in a 180,000-square-foot single steel fabrication facility, one of the largest of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. The operation is certified to work on high-rise buildings, bridges, marine, and other structural steel projects and holds an AISC Sophisticated Paint, Indoor endorsement (QP3), with extensive experience applying surface treatments and coatings. You will work around advanced CNC equipment, burn tables, saws, presses, and other heavy fabrication machinery in a busy industrial setting. The schedule follows a four 10-hour day workweek, with day shift (Monday–Thursday, 6:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) and swing shift (Monday–Thursday, 4:30 p.m. – 3:00 a.m.) options. The environment emphasizes safety, proper use of overhead cranes and material handling equipment, and adherence to established fabrication and quality processes, with appropriate industrial workwear and personal protective equipment required.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Tigard, OR.

The pay range for this position is $28.96 - $31.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Tigard,OR.

This position is anticipated to close on May 13, 2026.

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meets their goals, skills and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role solving for companies’ construction, manufacturing and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.