Waterjet Operator - Night Shift

North Shore Steel is a trusted, industry-leading metals organization with more than 75 years of experience serving customers across the Gulf Coast and nationwide. With operations in Houston, Beaumont, and St. Louis, we provide structural steel, plate and wear products, pipe fabrication, and advanced value-added processing, including cutting, machining, forming, rolling, and fabrication. We support customers across construction, energy, industrial, and OEM markets with the expertise to take on complex requirements and deliver with confidence.

Our legacy is built on reliability, craftsmanship, and long-term relationships, and our purpose is simple: Together, We Build a Strong Future.

Our Core Values guide how we work and lead: Be Safe Always, Provide Great Service, Do the Right Thing, Take the Initiative, and Maximize Your Potential. If you share these values and are looking for a place where you can contribute, grow, and be part of a team that supports one another, we invite you to join us.

Shift Start Time: 6 PM (Mon-Fri and weekends as required)

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Waterjet Operator to join our manufacturing team in East Houston. This position is responsible for setting up, programming, operating, and monitoring waterjet cutting equipment to produce parts that meet customer specifications, dimensional tolerances, and quality requirements.

The ideal candidate has hands-on experience in a manufacturing or metal-processing environment, can confidently read blueprints and technical drawings, and understands how to adjust machine parameters to achieve accurate, high-quality cuts. This role requires strong attention to detail, mechanical aptitude, and a commitment to safe and efficient production.

Key Responsibilities

• Set up and operate waterjet cutting equipment based on work orders, drawings, material requirements, and customer specifications.
• Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, dimensions, tolerances, and cutting requirements.
• Load, position, and secure material on the cutting table to ensure proper alignment and safe operation.
• Program or modify waterjet cutting programs using designated machine software.
• Select and adjust cutting parameters based on material type, thickness, part geometry, and required finish.
• Monitor equipment and cutting performance throughout the production process, making adjustments as necessary to maintain quality and efficiency.
• Inspect completed parts using appropriate measuring tools to verify dimensions, tolerances, and overall quality.
• Identify and troubleshoot common equipment, cutting, and programming issues to minimize downtime and material waste.
• Perform routine equipment inspections, preventive maintenance, and minor repairs as required.
• Accurately document completed work, material usage, production quantities, and quality information.
• Maintain an organized work area and follow established housekeeping standards.
• Follow all company safety procedures, PPE requirements, and equipment operating practices.
• Work collaboratively with production, quality, maintenance, and other team members to resolve issues and improve productivity.

Qualifications

• Previous experience operating waterjet cutting equipment strongly preferred.
• Experience in steel processing, metal fabrication, machining, or a similar manufacturing environment preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, dimensions, and tolerances.
• Experience with waterjet programming software and/or CAD/CAM applications preferred.
• Working knowledge of measuring tools and dimensional inspection practices.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to identify and troubleshoot basic equipment issues.
• Ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail while working in a production environment.
• Strong time-management skills with the ability to prioritize work and meet production schedules.
• Ability to work independently while also contributing effectively as part of a production team.
• Commitment to following established safety, quality, and operating procedures.

What Success Looks Like

A successful Waterjet Operator consistently produces accurate parts that meet customer specifications while minimizing scrap, rework, and machine downtime. This individual takes ownership of equipment performance, identifies problems before they affect production, and works safely and efficiently as part of the broader manufacturing team.

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements below are representative of those necessary to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Routinely lift and handle materials weighing up to 50 lbs. independently and safely as part of assigned job duties.
• Stand and walk for extended periods, including on concrete floors and uneven surfaces.
• Frequently bend, stoop, squat, reach, push, pull, lift, and position materials or equipment as required by the job.
• Use hands, arms, shoulders, and back to safely operate tools, handle materials, and perform lifting, reaching, and positioning tasks.
• Safely work in an industrial and warehouse environment with exposure to noise, dust, moving equipment, and varying temperatures.
• Safely identify workplace hazards, read and record measurements, inspect materials, and respond appropriately to verbal instructions, alarms, warning signals, and hand signals.
• Wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) throughout the shift, which may include safety glasses, hard hat, gloves, hearing protection, safety footwear, and other job-specific PPE.

Pre-Employment Requirements

Candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment must successfully complete the companys applicable pre-employment screening process.

Depending on the position, requirements may include:

• Criminal background check: Criminal history will be considered in accordance with applicable law and company guidelines, including consideration of the nature and gravity of the offense, its relationship to the position, and the time elapsed since the offense or completion of the sentence.
• Pre-employment drug screening: Candidates must successfully complete the companys required drug screening process.
• Post-offer physical assessment: Required for designated Production, Processing, and Distribution positions and conducted at no cost to the candidate by a company-designated medical provider.

Participation in applicable pre-employment requirements is a condition of employment. Candidates who decline to participate or who do not satisfy the applicable requirements will not be eligible for employment.

Benefits

At North Shore Steel, we invest in the well-being of our team. Full-time employees receive a full benefits package that includes multiple Major Medical plan options, Dental, Vision, Voluntary Life, Short-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, and HSA options for qualifying plans.

We also provide Long-Term Disability, Basic Life, and AD&D coverage at no cost to you. You'll also enjoy our competitive holiday schedule, PTO program, and a Safe Harbor 401(k) with company contributions to support your long-term financial goals.

We are an equal opportunity employer and maintain a safe, secure, and drug-free workplace where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.