Job Description

Job Title: Manual Machinist

Pay: 25-35$ per hour

Job Description

This role offers the opportunity to work in a job shop environment focused on custom and specialty components, primarily cylinders and bearings for large turbines, electric motors, generators, and industrial equipment used in paper mills, sugar mills, and power plants. You will perform manual machining, with a strong emphasis on babbitt bearings, rework, and refurbishing, using lathes and mills to cut down parts, remove worn material, and restore components to precise specifications. The position is ideal for a machinist who enjoys working on large, varied parts rather than high-volume production, and who wants to deepen their manual machining skills in a hands-on, technically challenging setting.

Responsibilities

• Operate manual lathes, manual mills, and related equipment to machine and refurbish large cylinders, bearings, and other specialty components for turbines, electric motors, generators, and industrial machinery.
• Perform rework and refurbishing operations by cutting down parts, removing worn or damaged metals, and preparing surfaces for rebuilding or repair.
• Machine babbitt bearings with a high degree of precision, following shop standards, engineering specifications, and tight tolerances.
• Interpret and read blueprints, drawings, and work instructions to determine dimensions, tolerances, tooling requirements, and machining sequences.
• Set up manual machines, including selecting and installing appropriate tooling, workholding, and fixtures for each job.
• Apply strong machining math skills, including trigonometry, to calculate dimensions, angles, feeds, and speeds needed to complete work accurately.
• Use precision measuring tools such as micrometers and other gauges to verify dimensions and ensure parts meet specified tolerances.
• Operate additional shop equipment such as drill presses, engine lathes, and grinding tools as needed to complete machining and finishing tasks.
• Work with tight tolerances on large and specialty parts, maintaining consistent quality and accuracy throughout each project.
• Adjust machine settings and tooling to compensate for material conditions, tool wear, and other variables during machining.
• Perform basic maintenance and cleaning on machines, tooling, and work areas to ensure safe and efficient operation.
• Collaborate with supervisors and team members to review job requirements, clarify specifications, and plan machining strategies for unique or complex parts.
• Participate in a machining math test during the interview process to demonstrate theoretical understanding and practical problem-solving skills.
• Adapt to a variety of jobs and part types in a job shop environment, avoiding repetitive, high-volume production work.
• Follow all safety procedures and best practices while working with heavy equipment, rotating machinery, and sharp tooling.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience with manual machining, including operation of manual lathes and manual mills.
• Ability to machine large parts and specialty components, particularly cylinders and bearings for industrial equipment.
• Demonstrated skill working with tight tolerances and precision requirements.
• Strong blueprint reading skills, including the ability to interpret dimensions, tolerances, and machining symbols.
• Proficiency in machining math, including trigonometry, to calculate dimensions, angles, and setups.
• Experience operating an engine lathe and setting up machines for various jobs.
• Ability to use precision measuring tools such as micrometers and other gauges to verify part dimensions.
• Familiarity with tooling selection, setup, and adjustment for different materials and operations.
• Comfort working in a job shop environment with custom, varied, and often large parts rather than high-volume production.
• Capability to perform rework and refurbishing operations, including cutting down parts and removing worn or damaged metal.
• Willingness and ability to complete a machining math test as part of the interview process.
• Strong understanding of CNC machining of specialty and large parts, especially for candidates coming from CNC backgrounds.
• Solid theoretical understanding of machining principles, processes, and machine operation, even if hands-on experience is lighter.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Trade school education or formal training in machining, tool and die, or a related field.
• Experience with babbitt bearings, including machining and refurbishing operations.
• Background in CNC machining with exposure to custom parts, large parts, or a wide variety of part types.
• Experience in a tool and die or precision machine shop environment.
• Familiarity with drill presses, grinding equipment, and other common machine shop tools.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision while maintaining high quality and safety standards.
• Openness to training and skill development in manual machining, especially for candidates with strong CNC and theoretical backgrounds.
• Experience working on specialty industrial components similar to those used in heavy industry and power generation.

Why Work Here?

You will join a true job shop environment where every day brings new challenges, unique parts, and opportunities to build your craft as a machinist. The focus on custom and specialty work, rather than repetitive production, allows you to expand your skills on large, complex components and deepen your understanding of machining theory and practice. The team values strong fundamentals and is willing to train motivated individuals to refine their manual machining abilities and eliminate bad habits. Flexible interview scheduling and a clear, skills-based evaluation process create a transparent and fair hiring experience. This is an excellent place for someone who wants to grow, take pride in high-quality work, and contribute to critical industrial applications.

Work Environment

The position is based in a machine shop that operates as a job shop, handling custom and specialty work rather than high-volume production. You will primarily work with manual lathes, manual mills, engine lathes, drill presses, grinding equipment, and standard machine shop tooling. The shop focuses heavily on large parts such as cylinders, bearings, and babbitt bearings used in turbines, electric motors, generators, and other industrial equipment. A second shift is planned from approximately 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., providing an alternative to traditional daytime hours. The environment emphasizes precision, tight tolerances, and hands-on problem solving, with a strong reliance on blueprint reading, machining math, and careful measurement. You will work around heavy machinery and metalworking equipment in a typical industrial shop setting, following established safety practices and procedures.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Lake City, FL.

The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $35.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Lake City,FL.

This position is anticipated to close on May 31, 2026.

About Aerotek

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meets their goals, skills and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role solving for companies’ construction, manufacturing and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

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