Purpose:
The primary purpose of this senior-level role is to lead the fabrication of custom extrusion dies and specialized tooling. Operating under the guidance of the Engineering department, the Machinist/CNC Operator programs and executes precision work using CNC Lathes and Mills, Wire EDM, and Mastercam software. This position serves as the primary technical authority for production support, independently designing custom work holding devices and troubleshooting tooling issues to minimize plant downtime. Additionally, the Senior Machinist provides mentorship to lower-classified machinists to elevate their technical skills.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
· End-to-End Custom Die Creation: Own the complete fabrication process for custom extrusion dies, from raw stock selection through Mastercam programming, CNC machining, and final surface grinding of seating surfaces.
· Advanced CNC Execution: Utilize Mastercam software to program, set up, and operate TRAK CNC Lathes and Mills using both conversational and full CNC controls to hold tight tolerances on one-off parts.
· Precision Wire EDM Management: Program, set up, and operate Fanuc Wire EDM to process complex die geometries. Perform regular preventative maintenance (PMs) and machine troubleshooting to keep equipment in operational condition.
· Engineering Collaboration: Partner directly with the Engineering team to review drawings, provide design-for-manufacturability feedback, and bring custom tooling concepts to life.
· Production Support & Rapid Repair: Act as the senior troubleshooting resource for the production floor, performing emergency die modifications or tooling repairs, often without blueprints.
· Manual Machine Backup Execution: Utilize manual mills and lathes as needed for quick-turn modifications, basic repairs, or secondary operations when CNC machinery is fully utilized.
· Shop Mentorship & Asset Management: Elevate the capabilities of the shop by mentoring junior team members. Take full charge of machine shop troubleshooting, inventory tracking, and preventative maintenance (including Wire EDM PMs).
· Maintain a safe, clean, organized and healthy workplace.
· Maintain and comply with quality standards.
· Demonstrate positive, supportive behavior in all interactions with co-workers, supervisors, managers and customers.
Non-Routine Tasks:
· Assist with plant activities, such as lean initiatives, to achieve quality, productivity and cost reduction goals.
· Weld, braze, and solder (silver).
· Perform duties and responsibilities of lower classifications.
Minimum Requirements:
1. Skills/ knowledge:
· 5+ years of hands-on CNC setup and machining experience.
· Deep familiarity with common industrial controls and multi-axis machines.
· Ability to interpret complex engineering drawings and translate them into efficient manufacturing processes.
· Competent use of precision measuring instruments, including bore gauges, micrometers, indicators, and optical comparators.
2. Experience/Education including licenses and certifications:
High school diploma or general education degree (GED) with machinist schooling and/or one to two years of machine shop experience.
3. Language Skills:
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
4. Math Skills:
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
5. Reasoning Ability:
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
6. Physical Demands:
Standing at length required. Some walking and sitting also expected. Speech and hearing required, primarily for communicating with supervisors and co-workers. This position requires the ability to handle or feel various parts and manipulate heavy objects.
7. Vision Requirements:
· Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches)
· Peripheral vision (ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes are fixed on a given point)
· Depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships)
· Ability to adjust focus (ability to adjust the eyes to bring an object into sharp focus)
8. Working Environment:
Requires considerable alertness while working with machines and tools with hot or moving parts. Moderate noise level in machine shop and plant area.
Employer’s Rights:
This job description does not list all of the duties of the job. You may be asked by your supervisors or managers to perform other duties. You will be evaluated in part based upon your performance of the tasks listed in this job description.
The employer has the right to revise this job description at any time. The job description is not a contract for employment, and either you or the employer may terminate employment at any time, for any reason.
Pay: $25.00 - $33.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- What type of measuring tools are you familiar with?
Experience:
Work Location: In person
