What Is a Laser Machine Operator and How to Become One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

A laser machine operator assists with the setup, maintenance, and operation of a CNC machine. Your responsibilities in this career have you selecting lenses, loading programs, and calculating machine specs and parameters based on the thickness and type of material use. You then cut the material and prepare products for shipment. You maintain and repair equipment, fill the bulk tank system, reorder supplies, and keep the area organized and clean. Your duties have you set up and operate the equipment and assist other machine operators. As a laser machine operator, you work in a fast-paced environment, so you must be able to follow complicated instruction closely.

To become a laser machine operator, you need a high school diploma or equivalent. Further education through an apprenticeship or vocational school is useful for learning the skills needed to operate a CNC machine. Employers want candidates with prior laser cutting machine experience and proficiency working with sheet metal. You must be familiar with all OSHA and ISO standards and abide by safety procedures. You also need to know the difference between materials including steel, copper, stainless steel, aluminum, and brass. Other qualifications include the ability to read blueprints, an understanding of lift techniques, and knowledge of the tools used and required maintenance for those tools.