Mass Timber CNC Operator

THE OPPORTUNITY

Western Forest Products is hiring for a Mass Timber CNC Operator to join our team based in Vancouver, Washington at our Fruit Valley location.

What You’ll Do: Mass Timber CNC Operator is responsible for the setup, programming, operation, and routine maintenance of CNC timber-processing equipment used to fabricate glulam and other mass timber components. This is a hands-on technical role that combines CNC machining knowledge with an understanding of wood, cutting tools, and structural wood fabrication.

Who You Are: The successful candidate will interpret shop drawings and digital fabrication information, prepare and verify CNC programs, select and manage tooling, establish appropriate machining parameters, and troubleshoot machining or equipment issues. The operator must understand how cutting speed, feed rate, chip load, tool geometry, material properties, and workpiece orientation affect machining quality, tool life, productivity, and safety.

What We Offer:

• Hourly range of $26.74 - $28.96 based on skill level, qualifications, and experience
• 100% Employer Paid Dental and Medical Benefits
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with immediate Safe Harbor match
• Basic life insurance 
• Employee assistance program
• Paid time off (PTO) and Paid holidays
• Opportunities for growth and a long-term career
• An energetic team-oriented environment
• A safe workplace

Work Environment: This position is to be performed in person at Western Forest Products' Fruit Valley location.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Safety and Environmental Performance

• Perform work in accordance with OSHA and WISHA regulations, Western Policies, Site Rules, lockout/tagout procedures, and established safe work practices;
• Conduct required pre-operational inspections and identify unsafe conditions;
• Safely load, position, process, and unload glulam/timber members;
• Follow established procedures for machine access, tool changes, clearing jams, maintenance, and troubleshooting;
• Maintain a clean and safe work area and use required personal protective equipment;
• Participate in safety meetings, hazard assessments, and continuous improvement activities.

CNC Programming and Machine Operation

• Set up and operate the Hundegger Robot-Max CNC glulam/timber processing machine to fabricate glulam and other structural wood components;
• Review shop drawings, fabrication drawings, cutting lists, work orders, and digital production information before machining;
• Import, review, and process CNC files using CAM and machine-control software;
• Verify CNC programs before production, including member orientation, reference surfaces, dimensions, machining operations, clearances, and tooling;
• Make appropriate program or machining adjustments when required to produce conforming parts;
• Monitor machine operation throughout the machining cycle and safely respond to faults, alarms, tooling problems, or unexpected machine behavior;
• Understand the relationship between the digital model, CAM output, machine coordinate system, tooling, and finished glulam/timber component.

Tooling and Machining

• Select appropriate cutters, drills, saws, and other tooling based on the machining operation and material;
• Understand and apply machining concepts including feed rate, spindle speed, cutting speed, chip load, depth of cut, tool diameter, and tool engagement;
• Recognize signs of improper machining conditions, including poor surface finish, tearout, burning, excessive vibration, tool deflection, premature tool wear, and chip evacuation problems;
• Inspect cutting tools for wear or damage and perform or coordinate tool changes as required;
• Balance machining quality, tool life, productivity, and safe machine operation when selecting or adjusting machining parameters;
• Maintain accurate tool information and verify that installed tooling corresponds with machine and program requirements.

Wood Fabrication and Quality

• Understand the machining characteristics of wood and engineered wood products, including the effects of grain direction, knots, moisture, member orientation, and material variability;
• Perform cutting, drilling, routing, notching, slotting, profiling, and other machining operations required for structural glulam/timber fabrication;
• Read and interpret shop drawings and understand how individual machined features relate to the completed part and connection;
• Verify finished components using tape measures and appropriate precision measuring equipment;
• Identify dimensional, machining, or material defects before components move to subsequent production operations;
• Understand fabrication tolerances and distinguish between cosmetic conditions and conditions that may affect fit-up or part conformance;
• Maintain accurate production, downtime, material usage, and quality records.

Machine Maintenance and Troubleshooting

• Perform required daily and periodic operator maintenance, inspections, cleaning, lubrication, and machine checks;
• Troubleshoot mechanical, tooling, software, programming, and material-related problems;
• Identify abnormal machine conditions such as vibration, unusual noise, damaged tooling, alignment issues, or deteriorating cut quality;
• Assist Maintenance and technical support personnel in diagnosing machine faults and completing repairs;
• Maintain the machine, tooling, work area, and supporting equipment in an orderly condition that supports reliable production.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Required Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent;
• Experience working in a manufacturing, production, woodworking, construction, or industrial environment preferred;
• Basic mechanical aptitude and interest in learning CNC machining and manufacturing processes;
• Ability to read and interpret basic shop drawings, measurements, and production instructions;
• Ability to use a tape measure and other basic measuring tools;
• Basic computer skills and ability to learn machine-control software and production systems;
• Ability to work safely around automated machinery and large structural components;
• Willingness to learn CNC machine setup, operation, tooling, and troubleshooting under the guidance of experienced operators;
• Ability to identify equipment or machining issues and seek assistance from experienced operators when needed;
• Familiarity with basic cutting tools and willingness to learn tool inspection and maintenance procedures;
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing accurate, repeatable work.

Preferred Experience

• Experience in operating production equipment, CNC machinery, or automated manufacturing equipment;
• Experience in woodworking, fabrication, timber manufacturing, millwork, or a related industry;
• Familiarity with basic hand tools and measuring devices;
• Experience operating forklifts, overhead cranes, or other material-handling equipment;
• Exposure to CNC, CAD/CAM, or manufacturing software through work, school, or training programs.

Skills, Knowledge and Required Competencies

• Commitment to Western's core values of personal safety, sustainable management, and environmental stewardship;
• Strong work ethic and willingness to learn new skills;
• Basic mechanical and troubleshooting abilities;
• Ability to follow instructions, work procedures, and quality standards;
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team;
• Good communication and organizational skills;
• Ability to adapt to changing production priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment;
• Dependable, safety-focused, and detail-oriented.

Role expectation: This position requires more than machine operation. The CNC Operator will work alongside experienced operators to learn CNC machining processes, equipment operation, tooling, and quality requirements. The operator is expected to safely produce quality work, recognize potential machining or equipment issues, and seek guidance when corrective action is needed. Over time, the operator will develop the knowledge and skills required for more advanced CNC responsibilities.

YOUR CAREER 

At Western Forest Products, we believe our most significant asset is our people. Investing in our people brings value and success to our business, ensuring a safe, engaged, productive and continuously improving workplace. We offer challenging opportunities working alongside the best in the industry to meet your career and professional development goals while providing competitive total rewards and recognition.

We provide a variety of on-the-job training and continuing education in many areas at Western to ensure you have the skills you need to succeed. Our promote-from-within culture recognizes high performance, and we offer diverse career paths across the organization for those with the talent and will to advance.

WESTERN OVERVIEW

Western Forest Products is a leading forest products company that sustainably manages forests and manufactures high-quality wood products. Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia with operations in the coastal region of BC and Washington State, Western meets the needs of customers worldwide with a specialty wood products focus and diverse product offering. Our commitment to health and safety, environmental stewardship and community engagement is core to how we do business at Western Forest Products. 

Our Calvert Division is one of the oldest continuous glulam manufacturers in the U.S., bringing more than 70 years of experience producing high quality glued laminated beams and arches. With two manufacturing plants in Washington, our Washougal and Vancouver facilities produce glued laminated timber products for both commercial and residential projects around the world. 

At Western Forest Products, we believe our most significant asset is our people. Investing in our people brings value and success to our business, ensuring a safe, engaged, productive and continuously improving workplace. We offer challenging opportunities working alongside the best in the industry to meet your career and professional development goals while providing competitive total rewards and recognition. 

Western Forest Products is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or age. If you require a disability-related accommodation during the application process, please notify us.