About the Role
Celestix Industries is looking for an experienced and hands-on CNC Laser Cutting Machine Operator / CNC Machine Operator to support our sheet metal fabrication and industrial manufacturing operations.
The selected candidate will be responsible for independently operating CNC fiber laser cutting machines, preparing and modifying cutting programs, optimizing sheet nesting, selecting appropriate cutting parameters and producing precision sheet metal components according to approved engineering drawings.
The position requires strong practical knowledge of CNC laser cutting, CAD/CAM nesting software, DXF/DWG drawings, laser cutting parameters, material handling and dimensional quality inspection.
Sheet nesting and material utilization are particularly important for this role. The candidate must be able to arrange multiple components efficiently on metal sheets, minimize scrap and reusable offcuts, and achieve high material utilization without compromising cutting quality.
We are looking for a CNC Laser Operator who understands the entire cutting process—from drawing interpretation and nesting through machine setup, cutting, inspection and production reporting.
This is a hands-on manufacturing position requiring independent machine operation, technical problem-solving and consistent production performance.
Key Responsibilities
1. CNC Fiber Laser Cutting Machine Operation
- Independently operate CNC fiber laser cutting machines for sheet metal production.
- Perform machine start-up, reference setting and routine operational checks.
- Verify machine readiness before starting production.
- Select approved machine programs and confirm job requirements.
- Load and position metal sheets correctly.
- Set and adjust laser cutting parameters according to material type, thickness and grade.
- Monitor cutting operations to maintain consistent quality and production output.
- Identify abnormal cutting conditions and machine alarms.
- Ensure completed components are properly identified and transferred to the next manufacturing process.
- Follow daily production schedules and assigned manufacturing priorities.
2. Sheet Nesting & Material Utilization – Critical Responsibility
The candidate must have strong practical experience in sheet metal nesting and cutting layout optimization.
Responsibilities include:
- Prepare sheet nesting layouts using available CAD/CAM nesting software.
- Import component drawings and arrange parts within available sheet dimensions.
- Optimize nesting to maximize the number of usable components produced from each sheet.
- Minimize sheet metal scrap, unnecessary offcuts and material wastage.
- Select suitable component orientations and cutting sequences.
- Maintain correct kerf allowances, spacing and cutting clearances.
- Consider material grain direction, surface requirements and other drawing restrictions where applicable.
- Optimize the utilization of available sheet sizes and reusable offcuts.
- Compare alternative nesting layouts to improve material yield.
- Verify nesting accuracy before releasing programs for production.
- Coordinate with Engineering or Production when drawings or layouts require clarification.
- Monitor actual scrap generation and identify opportunities to improve cutting efficiency.
We require an operator who can independently optimize nesting layouts, rather than someone who only runs programs prepared by others.
3. CNC Programming & CAD/CAM Software
- Read and interpret 2D engineering drawings, fabrication drawings and cutting layouts.
- Work with DXF and DWG files.
- Import cutting drawings into CNC laser cutting software.
- Create, load and modify cutting programs using available CAD/CAM software.
- Verify dimensions, quantities and material specifications before production.
- Check cutting paths and program sequences.
- Identify drawing or programming errors before cutting.
- Make appropriate programming adjustments to improve cutting quality and material utilization.
- Save and maintain cutting programs for repeat production.
- Coordinate with Engineering regarding drawing revisions and technical clarifications.
4. Laser Cutting Parameters & Process Optimization
The candidate should understand the relationship between cutting parameters, material properties and finished component quality.
Responsibilities include:
- Select appropriate laser power and cutting speed.
- Adjust frequency and focus position as applicable.
- Set nozzle height and cutting conditions.
- Select suitable assist gas and pressure.
- Adjust piercing parameters according to material and thickness.
- Identify incorrect cutting parameters and their effect on edge quality.
- Optimize cutting settings to reduce burrs, dross and incomplete cuts.
- Monitor cutting consistency during batch production.
- Reduce unnecessary machine stoppages and rejected components.
Operate CNC fiber laser cutting machines for materials including:
- Mild Steel (MS)
- Stainless Steel (SS)
- Galvanized Steel (GI)
- Aluminium
- Other compatible sheet metal materials, according to machine capability
Responsibilities include:
- Verify material type, grade and thickness.
- Select the correct sheet for each production order.
- Understand how material properties affect laser cutting.
- Handle sheets carefully to avoid bending, scratches and surface damage.
- Maintain identification of raw materials, cut components and reusable offcuts.
- Prevent material mix-ups and unnecessary wastage.
6. Engineering Drawing Interpretation
- Read 2D engineering and sheet metal fabrication drawings.
- Understand component dimensions and tolerances.
- Interpret hole patterns, slots, profiles and cutouts.
- Verify drawing dimensions before cutting.
- Identify critical dimensional requirements.
- Coordinate clarification of missing or conflicting drawing information.
- Ensure cutting programs match approved engineering revisions.
7. Laser Cutting Quality Control
- Inspect cut components for dimensional accuracy and edge quality.
- Perform first-piece inspection before batch production.
- Identify burrs, dross, incomplete cuts and surface damage.
- Monitor hole dimensions, profiles and cutout accuracy.
- Use vernier calipers, measuring tapes and other suitable measuring instruments.
- Identify and segregate nonconforming components.
- Adjust permitted cutting parameters to correct process-related defects.
- Coordinate with Quality and Production regarding rejected components.
- Maintain consistent cutting quality during repeat production.
8. Production Planning & Output Management
- Execute assigned production orders according to the daily production plan.
- Confirm material and program readiness before starting each job.
- Monitor cutting quantities and production progress.
- Coordinate job changes according to production priorities.
- Reduce machine idle time between cutting jobs.
- Ensure correct identification and movement of finished components.
- Record completed quantities, rejection and scrap.
- Communicate production delays and material shortages to the Production Supervisor.
- Support timely completion of manufacturing orders.
9. Machine Maintenance & Troubleshooting
- Perform daily machine cleaning and operational checks.
- Inspect nozzle condition and relevant cutting consumables.
- Check protective lenses according to authorized procedures.
- Monitor cutting performance and assist gas supply.
- Identify abnormal machine noise, alarms or operating conditions.
- Report breakdowns and technical faults promptly.
- Coordinate preventive maintenance with the Maintenance department.
- Maintain machine cleanliness and operating records.
Specialized electrical, optical and mechanical repairs must be performed by authorized personnel.
10. Material Handling & Scrap Management
- Ensure correct handling and loading of sheet metal.
- Separate finished components from scrap and reusable offcuts.
- Maintain accurate identification of materials and cut parts.
- Minimize damage during loading and unloading.
- Support accurate scrap recording and material reconciliation.
- Identify material wastage caused by inefficient nesting or cutting errors.
- Coordinate safe movement of sheets and cut components.
- Maintain organized material storage near the machine.
11. Safety, Housekeeping & 5S
- Follow approved CNC laser cutting machine safety procedures.
- Use required personal protective equipment.
- Ensure guards, interlocks and safety systems are used correctly.
- Follow safe material loading and unloading procedures.
- Handle assist gas systems according to approved safety requirements.
- Maintain a clean and organized machine area.
- Prevent unsafe stacking or storage of metal sheets.
- Follow 5S and factory housekeeping standards.
- Report unsafe conditions and equipment problems immediately.
Required Experience
- 2–5 years of hands-on experience operating CNC fiber laser cutting machines.
- Ability to independently set up and operate CNC laser cutting equipment.
- Practical experience preparing and modifying CNC cutting programs.
- Strong knowledge of sheet nesting and material utilization optimization.
- Experience working with CAD/CAM nesting software.
- Ability to read DXF, DWG and 2D engineering drawings.
- Understanding of laser cutting parameters, including power, speed, focus, assist gas and piercing.
- Experience cutting mild steel, stainless steel, galvanized steel or aluminium.
- Ability to inspect finished parts and identify cutting defects.
- Basic machine troubleshooting and production reporting skills.
Preferred Experience
- Experience operating CNC fiber laser cutting machines in a sheet metal fabrication environment.
- Experience with 1500 × 3000 mm cutting beds or comparable industrial machines.
- Experience operating 3 kW or higher-power fiber laser equipment.
- Familiarity with different CAD/CAM nesting software packages.
- Proven ability to reduce material wastage through nesting optimization.
- Experience manufacturing precision sheet metal components for industrial applications.
- Knowledge of machine maintenance, cutting consumables and quality inspection.
Experience with Dolphin laser cutting machines will be an advantage where similar equipment is used.
Qualifications
- ITI in Machinist, Fitter, Sheet Metal or a relevant technical trade.
- Diploma in Mechanical or Production Engineering.
- Equivalent practical CNC laser cutting experience may also be considered.
Hands-on CNC machine operating experience and nesting capability are more important than the exact educational qualification.
Key Technical Skills
- CNC Fiber Laser Cutting
- CNC Machine Operation
- Sheet Nesting
- CAD/CAM Programming
- DXF/DWG Drawing Interpretation
- Laser Cutting Parameters
- Sheet Metal Fabrication
- Material Utilization
- Quality Inspection
- Machine Troubleshooting
- Production Reporting
- 5S and Safety
Ideal Candidate
We are looking for someone who can independently receive an engineering drawing, prepare the cutting layout and produce accurate sheet metal components with minimum material wastage.
For example, when provided with multiple DXF component drawings and a standard sheet size, the candidate should be able to:
- Review the component dimensions and material specifications.
- Select the correct sheet material and thickness.
- Import the drawings into nesting software.
- Arrange the parts to achieve maximum practical sheet utilization.
- Verify spacing, cutting clearances and cut paths.
- Prepare and load the cutting program.
- Select appropriate laser cutting parameters.
- Perform the first-piece inspection.
- Complete production while maintaining dimensional accuracy.
- Record production output and scrap.
The strongest candidates will combine independent CNC fiber laser operation, accurate programming, efficient sheet nesting and consistent cutting quality.
We prefer operators who understand how their machine settings and nesting decisions affect manufacturing productivity, material costs and finished product quality.
