MCE Water Spider in Lebanon, Pennsylvania at PRL Industries Inc

Job Summary

The Machine Shop Water Spider Technician is a mission-critical role that maintains uninterrupted material, tooling, and document flow at the point of use (POU). The primary objective is to maximize "spindle uptime" by ensuring CNC machinists never have to leave their workstations to search for parts, tools, gauges, or paperwork. Following a disciplined, timed route, this role acts as the shop floor's pulse, dramatically reducing process lead times and operational waste.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Material & Raw Stock Replenishment: Monitor visual cues, Kanban cards, and digital signals to deliver pre-cut raw bar stock, castings, or blanks to specific CNC mills and lathes right before they are needed.
• Tooling & Setup Staging: Collaborate with the tool crib to stage upcoming setup kits (including specific inserts, end mills, fixtures, and custom jaws) to streamline changeovers and reduce setup times.
• Quality & Document Flow: Ensure that travelers, setup sheets, and required quality inspection gauges (calipers, micrometers, thread gauges) are at the workstation before a job begins.
• WIP & Finished Goods Management: Safely transport completed, deburred, or in-process parts (WIP) to downstream operations like deburring, quality inspection, or chemical plating.
• Chip & Waste Removal: Proactively empty metal chip hoppers, manage coolant/oil replenishment levels at the machine, and clear scrap or dunnage to keep the shop floor safe and clean.
• 5S & Housekeeping Maintenance: Maintain organized point-of-use racking and staging areas according to rigid 5S visual factory standards.

Job Qualifications:

Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent required. Vocational training in welding, mechanical technology, or another trade is preferred.

Experience:

1–3 years of experience working in a CNC machining or fast-paced manufacturing environment. Certification or training in material handling or logistics. Certification or training in material handling or logistics. Experience with ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems for inventory management.

Skills:

• Mechanical Aptitude: Ability to read basic blueprints, fabrication drawings, and routing travelers.
• Tool & Measurement Knowledge: Familiarity with basic machine shop precision tools (micrometers, calipers, indicators) is highly preferred.
• Lean Principles: Understanding of Lean manufacturing concepts, including Kanban systems, 5S, and minimizing waste (Muda).
• Soft Skills: Excellent time management, strong situational awareness, and the communication skills needed to bridge the gap between machinists, the tool crib, and management. Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced setting. Familiarity with material handling equipment and safety protocols.

Physical and Mental Efforts:

General: Extensive mobility required and ability to lift objects of various weights. The position requires the ability to occasionally lift objects weighing more than 50 pounds; walk and stand for long periods; see objects closely; and hear everyday sounds. The position requires the ability to concentrate on fine detail despite interruptions and to attend tasks for 45 to 60 minutes at a time. Must be able to distinguish and differentiate contrasts between colors. Must be capable of passing a brightness discrimination test on an annual basis

• Ability to stand, walk, and pace the machine shop floor continuously for an 8- to 12-hour shift.
• Ability to safely lift and maneuver up to 50 lbs. of raw material or heavy tooling.
• Certified (or willing to become certified) in operating pallet jacks, walkie-stackers, or forklifts.