Production Tech - Swing Shift

BENCHMADE•Oregon City, OR

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Production Technician role encompasses direct labor positions within the Assembly department. Technicians follow written and oral instructions to perform assembly operations, turning small parts into functioning knives. Work may include laser engraving, serration, sharpening, cleaning and boxing, preparation, material handling, taumel, assembly, and other department processes. Technicians fit and align parts, inspect components for cosmetic quality, test knife functionality, and perform minor troubleshooting. They meet established production, quality, and performance metrics and promptly communicate issues to leads or process technicians. They also participate in assigned continuous-improvement activities and may support engineering process development, troubleshooting, validation, or training fellow operators. The position has a five-level, skill-based development path. Production Tech I is an entry-level role focused on manual and basic equipment operations, assembly, boxing, and preparation. Production Tech II builds on level I mastery and adds broader assembly capabilities and competency in selected processes. Production Tech III is a senior Assembly operator level and an entry point for laser engraving, serration, sharpening, CBN, and buffing work. Production Tech IV is an intermediate operator level for sharpening/buffing and laser/serration, while Production Tech V is the senior operator level in those areas. Each level has specified proficiency, training, and production expectations. The role is based on a production floor. Work may involve exposure to noise, coolants, abrasives, heat, adhesives, and automated and manual equipment. Shifts may be 8 to 10 hours; overtime and temporary shift changes may be required. Travel is as needed and less than 5% of the time. Standard PPE includes safety glasses and closed-toed shoes; some positions may require safety-toe and metatarsal protection, and cut-resistant gloves are available for handling sharp knives.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent and 3–4 years of general manufacturing experience; equivalency to the qualification standard will also be considered.
Good manual dexterity and ability to handle and assemble small parts.
Excellent attention to detail.
Ability to troubleshoot mechanical assembly problems on all SKU types.
Ability to execute assembly processes for any knife SKU safely while meeting current production goals for quality and quantity.
Ability to work in a flow line and meet fast-paced production rates.
Good judgment in subjective inspections, including cosmetic criteria and knife functionality such as smooth opening, detent force, and blade stability.
Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions in English.
Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. and sit and stand for long periods.
Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to noise, coolants, abrasives, heat, adhesives, and automated and manual equipment.
Ability to wear required PPE, including safety glasses and closed-toed shoes; some positions require safety-toe and metatarsal protection.

Nice To Haves

Basic computer skills.

Responsibilities

Assemble knives from components using small manual and semi-automatic hand tools and fixtures.
Visually inspect parts used in knife assembly to ensure they meet cosmetic requirements.
Perform minor troubleshooting of assembly problems and use Andon signals to notify the lead of issues.
Complete required documentation.
Move throughout the department as needed and cross-train in assembly functions, which may include preparing subassemblies, laser marking and serration, sharpening, or cleaning and packaging sharpened knives.
Actively participate in continuous-improvement teams and support a continuous-improvement culture.
Meet daily production, cycle-time, quality, and safety requirements.
Maintain a proficient level or higher in the categories required by the position skills matrix.
Maintain cleanliness and orderliness of the work area.
Fit and align components, test knife functionality, and communicate issues to leads or process technicians.
Support engineering in process development, troubleshooting, and validation, and train fellow operators in mastered skills and functions when assigned.