Precision Manual Lathe & OD/ID Grind Machinist

Role Snapshot — Houston, TX

Join our Houston team as a precision-focused machinist who thrives on manual turning and grinding. You will operate manual lathes and related grinding equipment to produce tight-tolerance components, ensuring every part meets print and process specifications.

Your Day in the Shop

• Begin with a review of blueprints, technical drawings, and work orders to plan setups and machining sequences.
• Set up and run manual lathes to turn, grind, and finish metal parts to specification, adjusting feeds, speeds, and tooling for optimal results.
• Monitor machine performance continuously and fine-tune parameters to maintain dimensional accuracy and surface finish.
• Verify quality at the machine using precision metrology (calipers, micrometers, surface roughness tester, hardness tester) and perform in-process checks.
• Complete part inspections, including First Article Inspection (FAI) when required, and flag any nonconforming product for disposition.
• Perform routine preventive maintenance and troubleshoot issues on manual lathes and grinders to minimize downtime.
• Maintain a clean, orderly, and safe work area in accordance with safety procedures and company policy.
• Collaborate with teammates and communicate status updates to meet daily production goals; record work and move tickets in ERP/MRP systems.
• Contribute to Continuous Improvement, support Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) processes as applicable, and drive better throughput and quality.

What You Bring

• High school diploma or equivalent; formal machining coursework or apprenticeship training is a plus.
• Hands-on experience operating manual lathes in a manufacturing environment.
• Solid grasp of machining fundamentals, tooling, workholding, and grinding principles.
• Fluency in reading and interpreting technical drawings, GD&T callouts, and work instructions.
• Exceptional attention to detail with a consistent focus on quality and accuracy.
• Resourceful problem-solver who can work independently and as part of a team.
• Working knowledge of safety practices in an industrial/manufacturing setting.

Strengths You’ll Apply

• Continuous Improvement
• Preventive Maintenance & Inspection
• Deburring techniques
• ERP & MRP system usage
• Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) familiarity
• Precision measurement & inspection
• First Article Inspection (FAI)
• Machine setups for production runs
• Manual machining expertise
• Identifying nonconforming product
• Blueprint reading
• Basic computer skills

Tools and Equipment You’ll Touch

• Manual Lathe and Vertical Lathe
• OD/ID and Cylindrical Grinders
• Surface Grinder and Centerless Grinder
• Surface Roughness Tester and Hardness Tester
• Calipers and Micrometers
• Overhead Crane
• ERP Software

If precision, craftsmanship, and continuous improvement motivate you, this role offers a hands-on path to make a measurable impact on product quality and on-time delivery in Houston, TX.