Master Machinist

Master Machinist – Manual Machining & Rotating Equipment

Location: Tampa, FL
Employment Type: Full-Time
Work Setting: Machine Shop, with Support for Shop and Field Repairs
Experience Level: Senior / Experienced Professional

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Master Machinist to join a repair and machining operation in Tampa, FL. This role focuses on precision manual machining, repairing, and restoring components for pumps, rotating equipment, and marine and industrial machinery.

The ideal candidate will have 10 years of hands-on manual machining experience, with the ability to independently set up and operate lathes and milling machines, work from blueprints or worn samples, and consistently maintain tight tolerances.

This is a senior-level, hands-on position requiring strong technical expertise, precision, and the ability to complete complex machining tasks with minimal supervision.

Key Responsibilities

• Set up and operate manual lathes and milling machines to manufacture, repair, and restore precision components.
• Machine critical pump and rotating-equipment components, including shafts, sleeves, bushings, wear rings, impellers, bearing fits, seal and gland bores, couplings, and flanges.
• Read and interpret engineering blueprints, OEM drawings, shop sketches, and measurement data.
• Reproduce worn or damaged parts to the required dimensions and specifications.
• Maintain close tolerances for running clearances, press fits, concentricity, runout, perpendicularity, and surface finish.
• Use micrometers, bore gauges, dial indicators, and other precision measuring instruments to verify accuracy.
• Set up and align workpieces, fixtures, cutting tools, and attachments, including long shafts and worn components.
• Machine materials including stainless steel (316 and 416), bronze (660), cast iron, carbon steel, plastics, and composites.
• Select appropriate cutting tools, carbide inserts, fixtures, and machining methods based on material and job requirements.
• Plan machining sequences and material allowances for sleeving, bushing, metal build-up, re-machining, and line boring.
• Prepare dimensioned shop sketches and record final measurements for job documentation.
• Collaborate with the Shop Manager and mechanics during equipment disassembly, inspection, repair, and reassembly.
• Recommend effective repair methods and machining process improvements.
• Support emergency, after-hours, and weekend repair work when required.
• Maintain machinery, tools, and work areas in accordance with safety and quality standards.

Machinery & Equipment

• Vectrax milling machines or equivalent manual milling equipment.
• Acra lathes or equivalent manual lathes.
• Precision measuring and inspection equipment.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of hands-on manual machining experience.
• Proven ability to independently set up and operate manual lathes and milling machines.
• Direct experience machining precision components for pumps and similar rotating equipment.
• Experience with Vectrax milling machines, Acra lathes, or comparable equipment.
• Strong blueprint reading, shop mathematics, and mechanical measurement skills.
• Ability to work from engineering drawings, shop sketches, and worn or damaged sample parts.
• Demonstrated ability to consistently maintain close machining tolerances.
• Trade school training, journeyman-level qualifications, or equivalent practical experience.
• Ability to regularly lift, carry, or move materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Strong attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and commitment to safe machining practices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience machining components for marine or maritime equipment.
• Background in industrial or marine equipment repair shops.
• Experience with horizontal boring, line boring, or grinding operations.

Mandatory Requirement: Evidence of Previous Work

All applicants must provide evidence of machining work they have personally completed. Applications without supporting evidence will not be considered.

Acceptable evidence includes:

• Photographs of machined parts, with a brief description of the work performed and tolerances maintained.
• Engineering drawings, shop sketches, or measurement records from previous projects.
• Professional references from supervisors or shop managers who can verify machining experience and workmanship.