Manual Machinist – Mills & Lathes

Manual Machinist Location: Richmond, VA Job Type: Contract to Hire Shifts Available: 1st and 2nd Shift Starting Pay Rate: $28.00/hour; higher pay may be available depending on experience Position Summary We are seeking an experienced Manual Machinist for a hands-on machining role. This is not a machine operator position. The ideal candidate will be responsible for setting up and operating manual machines, selecting tooling, reading technical drawings, making necessary adjustments, and producing precision parts that meet specified dimensions and tolerances. Candidates must have practical machining experience, the ability to make independent decisions at the machine, and a strong commitment to quality, accuracy, and safety.

Key Responsibilities • Review blueprints, work orders, engineering drawings, and GD&T specifications to determine machining requirements.

• Set up mills and lathes, including installing chucks, collets, tools, attachments, and other fixtures.

• Enter or adjust machine program instructions, offsets, tool registers, and reference points as needed.

• Perform machining operations such as drilling, grooving, turning, facing, knurling, and thread chasing.

• Use measuring instruments to verify dimensions, tolerances, machine settings, and finished parts.

• Identify machining problems, troubleshoot equipment, adjust controls, and sharpen or replace worn tooling.

• Follow quality assurance procedures and applicable safety standards.

• Perform preventive maintenance and report equipment malfunctions requiring repair.

• Document completed work, communicate issues between shifts, and maintain technical knowledge.

Qualifications • CNC certification required.

• Strong manufacturing and machining background.

• CNC programming experience is a plus.

• Ability to read blueprints, engineering drawings, and GD&T specifications.

• Knowledge of manual mills, lathes, tooling, controls, and instrumentation.

• Basic math skills, including geometry and trigonometry.

• Strong attention to detail, sound judgment, troubleshooting, and communication skills.

• Ability to work independently and identify opportunities for process improvement.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements • Primarily indoors in a manufacturing facility; the building is heated in winter but not air-conditioned in summer.

• Must be able to stand on concrete floors for at least eight hours and perform tasks involving bending, kneeling, and squatting.

• Work areas may be noisy due to grinding or machine testing; earplugs are provided when needed.

Required Tools & Safety Gear • Must provide basic personal tools, including box/open-end/socket wrench sets, Allen wrenches, screwdrivers, tap handles, pliers, a combination square, a 9-inch level, and a tape measure. Both metric and English tool sets are recommended.

• A lockable toolbox is recommended.

• Safety glasses and steel-toed shoes are required.

• Long pants and a shirt with sleeves (at least short sleeves) are required.

Apply Today! If you have hands-on machining experience, strong technical skills, and a commitment to producing accurate, high-quality parts, we encourage you to apply for this opportunity.