Industrial Operator

Alright, let's talk about this job. I'm putting together the listing for an Operations Technician on the investing process line at our Portland, OR facility. We make orthopedic implants here; hips, knees, that sort of thing. It's detailed work where following the procedure isn't just a suggestion; it's everything.

What you'd be doing

You'd run and maintain the Flash Fire dewaxing unit and an investing robot. A big part of the day is moving sealed molds from the drying tunnel to be processed, making sure they're in the right first in, first out sequence for casting.

• You'll handle molds and materials using hand trucks, pallet jacks, carts, and tables.
• Inspecting your own work is part of the deal. That means using calipers, pin gauges, and other measuring tools to check dimensions.
• The role involves checking and maintaining slurry mixtures and keeping shells segregated by lot.
• We need precise paperwork. Every step has to be documented to meet our quality system requirements.
• You'd perform inspections at every stage of mold processing to catch any issues early.
• Sometimes you'll lead training for other personnel on standard work instructions and safety practices.
• Keeping your area clean and organized is a daily task, following our 5S schedule for weekly housekeeping.

The schedule & environment

This is for Shift 2. There's a $.55 per hour shift differential on top of the base pay for working those hours.

The work is physical. You're on your feet, handling equipment and inspecting parts constantly. You'll need to move around the building occasionally, position yourself under or around equipment, and communicate clearly with your team all shift long.

The background we need

A high school diploma or equivalent is required. We also need at least three years of experience in a manufacturing setting.

It'd be great if some of that experience involved operations work or training others, but it's not a must have.

The skills that matter here

You've got to be good with details and solving problems as they pop up. Reading blueprints and doing basic data entry are part of the job. Managing your time when priorities shift is key.

• A working knowledge of standard operating procedures and quality management systems is important.
• You should be comfortable using standard inspection tools like calipers and gauges.
• Good communication keeps everything running smoothly.
• This role requires extensive hand dexterity; you're handling and adjusting parts all day.

A bit about us & what we offer

Our Portland, OR site has been around since 1969; we joined Orchid in 2012. We're an 80,000 square foot FDA registered facility making medical implants from start to finish under the ISO 13485 standard. The team here ships nearly a million implants a year.