Ward's Manufacturing - Manufacturing Technician

Manufacturing Technician

Location:

In-person at Warren, Rhode Island 02885 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.

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.

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.

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.

• Ability to read and interpret manufacturing drawings and…