Silk Screen Operator

Be yourself at Protolabs 

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification.  We are an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to building a diverse team that feels they are valued in the workplace.  So do you feel you do not meet every single requirement but still intrigued? We encourage you to still apply!  You can help make our company even better.  We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, age, mental or physical ability, or any way you represent yourself.  We strongly believe diversity makes for more successful teams. 

Why Protolabs? 

We are the leaders in digital manufacturing.  We hire doers, makers, and creative thinkers who tackle our roles with an entrepreneurial spirit.  Our culture is centered around meaningful work that brings new and innovative products to market at unprecedented speeds.  We are a diverse team that comes from all walks of life and take pride in our team who is smart, genuine, humble, and passionate about what we do.  It’s our people who fuel our creativity and make our culture feel like home. 

What you'll do

• Receiving job travelers for screen printing.
• Examine work orders to determine placement of artwork and be able to read blueprints drawings.
• Be able to mix ink if required for custom color.
• Exposing the image onto a screen using the screen exposure machine.
• Selecting screen size per drawing, degreasing agents, and emulsion coatings.
• Installing and repositioning screens and making fixtures to allow for screens to be applied on accurately per the drawing.
• Running screens and performing quality checks throughout the process.
• Troubleshooting problems as they arise.
• Create stencils and apply part marking per customer specifications using an airbrush
• Inspect and remove defective products
• Work to ensure that the inventory of inks and other related materials: filters, spare parts etc. are maintained to ensure that production needs are met
• Regulate the temperature and air circulation in drying ovens and work with the Maintenance department to ensure that ovens and paint equipment is properly serviced and maintained
• Check product for flaws, bubbles, or imperfections
• Establish and maintain company safety protocols
• Based on work load help to mask and rack parts prior to painting
• Maintain a clean and safe working environment by ensuring materials are cleaned from ceiling and walls of booth, conveyor hooks or grid, and from spray heads, and hoses
• Perform other related duties as assigned

What it takes

• Must be able to stand for long periods of time
• Strong attention to detail
• Must have hand/eye coordination with good hand dexterity; fingers need to be able to make small movements such as picking up small to large parts
• Able to work in extreme environment, with proper PPE
• Basic computer skills and or familiarity with a manufacturing based operating system
• Consistent attendance record is a must

What's in it for you

• We offer amazing benefits including but not limited to:
• Health Insurance: Traditional OR High Deductible plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Account (including employer contributions)
• Dental and Vision
• Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• Paid caregiver leave
• You will receive at least 3 weeks of PTO, Holiday Pay, and Volunteer Hours
• 401k with company match and immediate vest
• Employee Stock Purchase Program at a discounted rate
• Matching grants through Protolabs foundation
• And More!

Bonus points for

• Previous experience creating and applying silkscreens
• Previous experience working in a manufacturing environment
• Previous experience with CorelDRAW

Proto Labs maintains ITAR-compliant operations in all of our United States based facilities.  Due to ITAR regulations, this role is only open to U.S. Citizens, lawful permanent residents (green card holders) or foreign nationals granted refugee or asylee status.  Individuals with temporary visas (e.g. E, F-1, H-1, H-2, L, B, J, TN or OPT) are not eligible for hire in this role.

Proto Labs, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Physical Demands:

While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to sit; use a computer keyboard, monitor and mouse, telephone and printer; reach with hands, and arms, talk, see and hear.  The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, stoop or kneel and must be able to lift and/or move up to 70 pounds. 

Work Environment:

Indoors (A/C); nonsmoking; the majority of this job function is performed in a manufacturing area exposed to machinery and noise; with eye protection and safety shoes required. Occasionally works in outside weather conditions. Occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.