Manual Maintenance Machinist

Maintenance Machinist (Independent Machining Specialist)

Position Summary

The Maintenance Machinist is responsible for independently planning, setting up, and executing all machining operations required to produce precision components from concept to completion. This role requires expert-level proficiency in blueprint interpretation, advanced shop mathematics, material selection, and manual machining techniques. The machinist must be capable of determining machining strategies, selecting materials and tooling, calculating machining parameters, and verifying dimensional accuracy to tight tolerances without reliance on others.

Key Responsibilities

1. Machining Planning & Job Ownership

• Take full ownership of machining jobs from initial concept through finished part.
• Review drawings, sketches, models, or verbal descriptions and clarify missing or ambiguous details.
• Identify appropriate materials based on mechanical properties, application requirements, and machinability (strength, hardness, corrosion resistance, brittleness, thermal behavior).
• Develop complete machining process plans including:

• • Workholding strategy
    (fixtures, soft jaws, custom tooling as needed)
  • Cutting tool selection
  • Sequence of machining operations
  • Speeds, feeds, and depth-of-cut parameters
  • Inspection strategy and key checkpoints

2. Blueprint, Drawing, and GD&T Interpretation

• Read and interpret engineering drawings, including complex GD&T callouts.
• Verify critical fits (press, clearance, interference) and tolerance stack-ups.

• Convert and calculate:

• • Fractional/decimal dimensions
  • Angles, radii, and geometric layouts
  • True position, circularity, concentricity, runout
  • X/Y/Z coordinate layouts

o   Identify drawing errors or manufacturability issues and propose solutions.

3. Advanced Shop Mathematics

• Perform independent trigonometry, geometry, algebra, and right-triangle calculations to determine angles, tapers, tool offsets, bolt circles, hole locations, and compound setups.
• Calculate material allowances, shrinkage, tool deflection considerations, and finish requirements.

• Perform:

• • Taper-per-inch calculations
  • Feed rate & surface speed calculations
  • Tolerance stack-up analysis
  • Layouts using sine bars, gage blocks, and precision indicators

4. Manual Machining Operations

• Set up and operate manual lathes, mills, surface grinders, drill presses, saws, and related equipment.
• Perform precision turning, facing, boring, threading, drilling, milling, knurling, and grinding.
• Create complex features including chamfers, tapers, pockets, keyways, and precision fits.
• Align workpieces using edge finders, indicators, height gages, and other metrology tools.
• Select cutting tools appropriate for each material and operation.
• Determine optimal speeds/feeds based on material machinability, tool type, and desired finish.

5. Precision Measurement & Quality Control

• Measure and inspect to tolerances of ±0.001” or better (±0.0002” preferred).
• Use micrometers, calipers, bore gages, depth gages, height gages, dial indicators, test indicators, gauge blocks, and surface plates.
• Verify geometric tolerances and functional fits.
• Apply statistical variation concepts (mean, deviation) where applicable.
• Troubleshoot dimensional issues and apply corrective actions.

6. Problem-Solving & Continuous Improvement

• Diagnose machining defects (chatter, taper, surface finish issues, tool wear, dimensional drift).
• Improve machining efficiency through tooling upgrades, optimized cutting strategies, and better setups.
• Suggest improvements to shop practices, fixtures, workflow, or machine maintenance.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• 7-10 years of experience as a manual machinist in a job-shop or industrial manufacturing environment.
• Expert-level knowledge of materials: aluminum, stainless steels, carbon steels, tool steels, brass, plastics, carbide, etc.
• Ability to independently select the correct material for each application when drawings lack specification.
• Mastery of blueprint reading and GD&T.
• Expertise in calculating speeds/feeds, chip loads, and machining parameters for varied materials.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and advanced practical mathematics.
• Ability to design and fabricate simple fixtures, soft jaws, and workholding solutions.
• Proven ability to take machining projects from planning to finished product with minimal supervision.

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

• Completion of a U.S. Department of Labor–Registered Apprenticeship Program with a Certificate of Completion as a Journeyman Machinist (or Journeyworker Machinist).
• Experience performing root-cause analysis for machining defects or dimensional issues.
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing or continuous improvement principles.
• Experience improving accuracy, setup efficiency, or cycle time.
• Ability to interpret 3D models (STEP, IGES, etc.) helpful.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift, carry, and move up to 40–50 lbs regularly; occasional lifting up to 75 lbs with assistance.
• Ability to push/pull heavy vises, fixtures, and raw materials.
• Ability to load/unload parts safely from manual lathes, mills, and grinders.