LASER OPERATOR / PRODUCTION GRAPHICS TECHNICIAN
Full Time | Ritchey Livestock ID
WHO WE ARE
We believe farmers and ranchers are the unsung heroes of our world. They work tirelessly to feed a planet of some 8 billion people, rewarded with neither fortune nor fame, not even a thank you sir/ma’am.
At Ritchey Livestock ID, we manufacture identification products that help producers manage their livestock every single day. It may seem like a small thing — a tag, a mark, a number — but to the rancher relying on it, details matter.
A crooked layout matters.
An unreadable mark matters.
A missed order matters.
That’s why we exist.
Ritchey is a small company with high standards, deep agricultural roots, and a belief that craftsmanship still matters. We build products that Never Fade and strive every day to create the kind of customer experience people remember.
THE ROLE
We are hiring an experienced Laser Operator / Production Graphics Technician to help produce high-quality engraved livestock identification products using commercial laser engraving equipment.
This role combines:
- precision machine operation,
- production workflow,
- and basic graphics/layout preparation.
This is not a pure graphic design role. This is a hands-on production position for someone who enjoys operating equipment, solving technical problems, maintaining quality standards, and producing clean, accurate work every day.
The right person for this role understands that laser engraving is both technical and visual. Machine settings matter. Material behavior matters. Alignment matters. Details matter.
Prior commercial laser engraving experience is required for this role.
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE
You may thrive in this role if you are someone who:
- notices visual inconsistencies quickly
- takes pride in clean, accurate work
- enjoys operating precision equipment
- likes balancing technical process with craftsmanship
- stays calm and focused under production deadlines
- naturally checks your own work before handing it off
- respects machinery and keeps equipment running properly
- values consistency more than shortcuts
This role is often a strong fit for people with backgrounds involving:
- laser engraving
- sign shops
- print production
- trophy or awards production
- CNC or router operation
- fabrication
- production graphics
- maker spaces or technical craftsmanship
The best people in this role are steady, detail-oriented, visually disciplined, and dependable.
THE HATS YOU’LL WEAR
Laser Craftsman - Operate and maintain commercial laser engraving equipment to produce clean, accurate, durable engraved products with precision and consistency.
Production Graphics Builder - Prepare and refine layouts, templates, and production files using CorelDRAW and similar software to turn customer ideas into engraving-ready work.
Quality Guardian - Catch alignment issues, spacing problems, engraving inconsistencies, and production defects before products ever leave the building.
Production Rhythm Teammate - Help keep jobs moving smoothly through production by staying organized, communicating clearly, and balancing speed with accuracy.
Equipment Steward - Protect and maintain valuable production equipment through proper setup, cleaning, operation, and troubleshooting.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Set up and operate commercial laser engraving equipment
- Adjust machine settings for material type, engraving depth, clarity, and alignment
- Prepare and modify production-ready artwork and engraving templates
- Use CorelDRAW and related software to support engraving workflow
- Inspect finished products for accuracy and quality
- Maintain organized production flow across multiple engraving jobs
- Perform basic machine cleaning, maintenance, and troubleshooting
- Monitor material quality and engraving consistency
- Communicate production issues or delays clearly and quickly
- Maintain a clean, safe, organized workstation
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
Required
- Prior commercial laser engraving experience
- Experience operating production equipment in a manufacturing or production environment
- Strong attention to detail and visual accuracy
- Ability to stay organized while managing multiple jobs
- Basic troubleshooting and mechanical problem-solving skills
- Experience with CorelDRAW, Adobe Illustrator, or similar graphics software
- Strong reliability and attendance
- Ability to work independently while maintaining quality standards
Preferred
- Experience with Epilog laser systems
- Production graphics or sign shop experience
- Manufacturing experience
- Experience working with detailed customer specifications
- Basic understanding of materials and engraving behavior
WHY SOME PEOPLE LOVE THIS ROLE
Some people enjoy creating things with their hands.
Others enjoy mastering equipment and process.
The right person for this role enjoys both.
They like dialing in machine settings, refining layouts, solving production problems, and producing work they can genuinely be proud of at the end of the day.
This role rewards patience, precision, consistency, and craftsmanship.
PAY & SCHEDULE
- Full-Time
- Monday–Friday
- Additional work opportunities may be available during slower months
- Starting Pay: $20–$22/hour depending on experience
WHAT WE OFFER
- Small company atmosphere
- A culture focused on getting a little better each day
- A place where quality and craftsmanship matter
- A clean and organized work environment
- A team that values reliability, ownership, and continuous improvement
WORK AUTHORIZATION
United States (Required)
Ritchey Manufacturing is a drug-free workplace. All candidates must be able to pass a drug screen.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
THE RITCHEY MANIFESTO(part mission, part why, part purpose, part because)
Ritchey Livestock ID is a little company that believes in big ideas; a company that enjoys the grind of getting better each day. We make farm & ranch life easier through superior service and by producing a livestock ID tag that Never Fades.
COMPANY HISTORY
Eugene “Gene” Ritchey and his wife, Jo, founded Ritchey in 1964. Gene was raised on a dairy farm and became a lifelong farming and ranching businessman. Through Gene's experience in agriculture, he understood the need for livestock identification that lasts for the life of the animal. For over 50 years, Gene, Jo, and their sons Grant and Craig manufactured the only tags in the market allowing numbers and/or letters to be permanently engraved into a dual-colored tag. This unique method results in information that NEVER FADES, guaranteed. Ritchey Ear Tags are second to none in the industry - unsurpassed in legibility, retention, and durability.
In 2020, the Ritchey family sold the company to the Robert L. Kelley Jr. family out of Western Nebraska. The Kelley family, with deep roots in farming and ranching stretching down to 1926, has doubled down on a strategy to provide the best customer experience and identification tag in the industry.
Ritchey Livestock ID is an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to providing an environment of respect where equal opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success as a company, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.
Pay: $20.00 - $22.00 per hour
Benefits:
- On-the-job training
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
Application Question(s):
- As a small company, we do not currently offer health insurance. While it's in our strategic 2027 plan, we do not offer any today. Is this acceptable?
- What brands of laser cutters/engravers have you worked with?
Work Location: In person
