Lead Flame Lamination Machinist (Thermoplastic Foam)

Step onto the production floor and into a role where precision, heat, and motion come together. As the go-to expert on our flame lamination line, you’ll open your shift verifying flame arresters, gas shutoff valves, ventilation hoods, and emergency stops, then dial in roller pressure, nip height, web tension, and feed speed. You’ll fine-tune gas flow and burner height to activate thermoplastic foam surfaces without scorching, then thread and align foam and fabric so the web runs smooth—no wrinkles, stretch, or edge wander.

You’ll lead by example: keeping the line steady, the bonds strong, and the documentation airtight. When a profile looks uneven or a bond feels off, you’ll perform quick calculations—material usage, yield, speed-to-temperature ratios—and adjust burner positioning to bring quality back into spec. Throughout the day, you’ll perform routine mechanical adjustments and preventive maintenance on rollers, drives, conveyors, burner assemblies, and auxiliary systems to keep throughput high.

This position reports directly to the General Manager and serves as a floor-side mentor, coaching junior operators on setup, loading/unloading, safety practices, and bond verification techniques. Your calm, clear direction keeps the team on target for safety, quality, and production goals.

What you’ll do

• Set up the lamination line: Calibrate roller pressure, nip roller height, web tensions, and feed speeds.
• Control the flame: Regulate gas flow, ignition, and burner height to hold precise temperatures for optimal surface activation of thermoplastic foams.
• Manage web handling: Thread, align, and synchronize foam and fabric rolls to prevent wrinkles, stretching, and edge misalignment.
• Maintain equipment: Conduct routine adjustments and preventive maintenance on rollers, drive systems, conveyors, burner assemblies, and auxiliary machinery.
• Troubleshoot with data: Calculate yields, speed-to-temperature ratios, and burner positioning; root-cause issues like delamination, foam degradation, uneven burn profiles, or non-uniform flame distribution.
• Verify quality: Perform continuous visual and physical bond-strength checks with calipers, force gauges, and scales; meet engineering blueprints and QMS standards (ISO 9001/13485).
• Document in real time: Log heat settings, gas pressures, feed rates, material lots, and scrap counts accurately.
• Lead the workflow: Train junior operators; monitor line output; provide real-time feedback to uphold safety, quality, and throughput.

Required qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent; trade school certification or Associate degree in Mechanical Technology or Machining preferred.
• 3–5+ years operating complex technical machinery, flame lamination lines, or web conversion systems in manufacturing.
• Proficiency in blueprint reading, precision measurement tools, mechanical setups, and basic machine maintenance.
• Strong shop math (burner heights, feed adjustments, percentages, unit conversions).
• Clear communicator with the ability to train and mentor teammates.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience in ISO 9001 or ISO 13485 certified facilities.
• Knowledge of automated web-tension systems and gas burner safety interlocks.
• Background in Lean Manufacturing/5S.
• Forklift certification or overhead crane training for heavy roll handling.

Physical & safety requirements

• Production floor (80%–90% of time): Work around high-heat equipment, open flames, industrial noise, and combustion byproducts.
• Flame & gas safety: Follow open-flame protocols, including daily checks of flame arresters, gas shutoff valves, ventilation hoods, and emergency stops.
• Physical demands: Stand 8–10+ hours; bend and stoop; regularly lift/maneuver material rolls weighing 50–60 lbs.
• PPE: Safety glasses, steel-toe boots, hearing protection, heat-resistant gloves, and flame-resistant clothing as designated.

EEO