Manual Machinist

Job Description: Machinist

Stabilus is a global leader in the production of gas springs and dampers on five continents. Our products can be used in a wide variety of industries, such as the automotive and office chair manufacturing industries, furniture technology, solar industry, medical technology, and many other industrial applications. This position will be located in our U.S. Headquarters in Gastonia, NC.

Job Summary:

The Machinist will be responsible for machining, assembling, and modifying special tools, fixtures, and gages according to design specifications and within set tolerances. A majority of this work will be done using manual equipment such as a Bridgeport or a Lathe.They will also train other associates when needed. The position is located in a highly automated and fast-paced production facility that manufactures Gas Springs.

Currently, we have one opening available on our 1st shift. The shift runs Monday – Friday from 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Applicants should have some flexibility to accommodate changes in the schedule based on company needs. They must be on call in the case of an emergency breakdown on a machine. Typically, the machinists will rotate the on-call with each other.

Essential Job Functions:

• Receives and reviews work order, prints, description of part or sample from engineering for part to be made.
• Assists engineers in trouble shooting production problems. May design, machine, fabricate and/or install new of modified part.
• Selects materials from storage, according to specifications of product requirements and reorders material if necessary.
• Determines operations to be performed to manufacture part.
• Measures and marks materials prior to machining
• Sets up and operates machining equipment such as mills, lathes, presses, grinders, saws, torches, welders, treating furnace, etc., to machine parts to specifications.
• Orders tooling, materials, and equipment for tool room
• Verifies dimensions of finished parts using calipers, micrometers, ruler, square, depth gage, etc., to assure compliance with order specifications.
• Positions parts on worktable and assembles as necessary.
• Performs operational and preventive maintenance on all machining equipment.
• Advises departments and engineers as to tolerance to expect from processes, products, and vendors.
• Maintains work area in proper order, cleaning daily prior to end of shift.
• Observes plant safety rules.

Secondary Job Functions:

• Performs other duties as requested by supervision.
• Supports prototype shop machining operations as needed.

Job Requirements

Education, Training, Certifications:

• Associate’s Degree in electronics, mechanical or military equivalent. In lieu of Associate’s Degree, a minimum of 5 years’ experience as a Machinist is required.

Experience:

• Five to seven years’ experience, with a machining certificate and engineering training, or equivalent in work experience, required to become proficient in most phases of the job. Would also be required to have progressed through a one year on the job training as a B machinist.
• CAD or AutoCAD drawing experience from on the job or from school as Machinists may need to draw a part on a CAD program, especially if they will be using the CNC mill to make a part.

Job Knowledge and Skills:

• Must have a thorough knowledge of the procedures for fabricating and machining, tooling dies, fixtures, and jigs.
• Must have own tollbox and basic machinist’s tools.
• Must be highly proficient on a manual mill.
• Must be highly proficient on a manual lathe.
• Manual grinder experience.
• Some CNC programming experience or ability to learn.
• Light computer experience.
• Must be able to use a computer to source and order parts.
• Must be able to operate lathe, drill press, grinder, shaper, basic hand tools, and bench tools.
• Requires the ability to read and interpret blueprints and read precision measuring instruments.
• Must know shop mathematics and the basics of metallurgy.
• Must know general maintenance techniques.
• Requires the ability to maintain close tolerances (=0.002) and quality standards
• Works independently and frequently makes decisions on the most feasible approach to machining parts.
• Uses initiative and judgment to maintain quality standards, close tolerance, and complete tasks efficiently.

Accountability:

• Responsibility for Equipment - Maintains and monitors machine shop equipment where improper or careless use and incorrect set ups could result in extensive damage to machine or specific sections.
• Responsibility for Material and Product - Improper machine set up or failure to interpret prints or specifications accurately could result in damage to material.
• Responsibility for others - Responsible for own level of production. Failure to complete tasks efficiently could result in loss of production or alter the work of others. Works independently with little likelihood of injury to others.

Working Conditions:

• Walking, Standing, reaching, pulling, and pushing are required.
• Occasionally lifts heavy, awkward metal or equipment.
• Good eye/hand/foot coordination required.
• Exposed to potential cuts/scrapes to hands, metal chips in eye or mashed foot.
• Exposed to a normal machine shop environment with periodic noise, machining oil, and grease being common to the job.