Woodworking CNC Router & Edgebander Operator

LaForma Millworks Inc is a specialty architectural millwork and casework fabrication shop with nearly two decades of successful operation focused primarily on high-end commercial and residential projects. Our company is developing and expanding continuously. We are currently seeking an experienced Woodworking CNC Router & Edgebander Operator to help us in our state of the art / CNC equipped facility.

Our employees need to excel in multi-tasking and must have a strong ability and desire to learn new skills, follow instructions, take initiative, and lead by example.

Job Summary

The CNC & Edgebander Operator is responsible for the setup, operation, and basic maintenance of automated woodworking machinery to produce high-quality cabinetry, furniture, and millwork components. This role requires precision, an understanding of digital manufacturing files, software, and a strict commitment to safety and quality control.

Core Responsibilities
1. Machine Setup & Operation
● CNC Router: Load cutting programs (G-code) from the design department, load sheet goods (MDF, plywood, melamine) onto the machine bed, and execute cutting, drilling, and routing operations.
● CNC Edgebander: Set up and operate the edgebander to apply PVC, wood veneer, or ABS banding to raw panel edges. Adjust feed speeds, glue temperatures, and trimming units for different material thicknesses.
● Tooling Management: Change CNC router bits and edgebander scrape/trim blades as they dull to ensure clean cuts and finishes.
2. Quality Control & Inspection
● Inspect machined parts against shop drawings, cut lists, and blueprints to verify dimensional accuracy using tape measures, calipers, and squares.
● Check edgebanded parts for proper glue adhesion, flush trimming, and flawless finish without chipping or peeling.
● Identify and isolate defective parts, immediately adjusting machine calibration to correct the issue.

3. Material Handling & Workflow
● Safely load and unload heavy sheet materials using vacuum lifts, forklifts, or manual lifting techniques.
● Organize cut parts onto pallets or carts with proper labeling (e.g., barcodes or part numbers) for the next stage of assembly.
● Maximize material yield and minimize scrap by monitoring nesting patterns.
4. Preventative Maintenance & Safety
● Perform daily and weekly maintenance routines, including greasing bearings, emptying dust collection bins, cleaning sensors, and refilling the edgebander glue pot.
● Maintain a clean and organized work area to prevent slip-and-trip hazards.
● Strictly adhere to all shop safety protocols, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures and the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Day-to-Day Activity
● Machine Setup & Calibration: Load daily cut programs (G-code) into the CNC router and set up the edgebander for the specific material thicknesses and tape types required for the shift.
● Material Handling: Safely load full sheets of material (MDF, plywood, melamine, particleboard) onto the CNC bed using vacuum lifts or manual techniques.
● Production Runs: Operate the CNC router to cut, drill, and route parts, then feed the machined panels through the edgebander to apply PVC, veneer, or ABS banding.
● Quality Inspection: Constantly check finished pieces with calipers and tape measures for dimensional accuracy, ensuring tight joints and checking that edgebanding glue adhesion is flawless and flush-trimmed.
● Tooling & Maintenance: Swap out dull CNC router bits or edgebander scrape/trim blades as needed. Perform daily preventative maintenance like greasing bearings, refilling the glue pot, emptying dust collectors, and cleaning sensors.
● Sorting & Labeling: Apply barcodes or labels to finished parts and organize them onto carts or pallets sequentially for the assembly department.

Who the Job Reports To
● Direct Supervisor: Production Manager / Shop Foreman
● Works Closely With: CAD/CAM Drafters, Assembly Team Lead, and Inventory/Materials Manager

Requirements (Hard Skills & Qualifications)
● Experience: 1–3 years of hands-on experience operating industrial woodworking CNC routers (e.g., SCM Biesse, Homag) and Edgebanders (SCM, Homag).
● Technical Literacy: Ability to read and interpret shop drawings, blueprints, and cut lists accurately. Familiarity with woodworking software outputs (Cabinet Vision, Alphacam Mozaik, Microvellum) is highly preferred.
● Math & Measurement: Strong math skills with the ability to read a tape measure perfectly down to 1/32" and fluently convert between imperial and metric systems.
● Physical Stamina: Ability to stand for 8–10 hour shifts and safely lift, push, pull, or maneuver materials weighing up to 50–75 lbs on a continuous basis.
● Basic Electrical Mechanical Skills
● Safety Adherence: Strong understanding of shop sa