Vertical Turret Lathe (VTL) Specialist — Pump Component Rebuilds

Step into a day on Hydro’s shop floor

It’s 7:00 a.m. in Chicago’s West Loop. You roll up to Hydro, Inc.—the world’s largest independent pump rebuilder, proudly engineering and restoring critical pumping equipment since 1969. You power up a Vertical Turret Lathe, review a blueprint for a multistage pump, and map out your plan. By mid-morning, you’re turning a large impeller, holding tight tolerances and checking every critical dimension with precision gauges. After lunch, you switch to the horizontal boring mill to true up a bearing housing, then finish the day collaborating with engineers on a complex seal cover—always with safety and craftsmanship at the forefront.

About Hydro, Inc.

We’re a global industrial pump engineering company headquartered in Chicago. Our independent, engineering-first approach has helped customers across industries extend the life and performance of their pumps for over five decades.

Your impact

• Set up and manually machine custom components and parts for a wide range of pumps in a job shop environment.
• Produce and refurbish parts such as impellers, wear rings, bearing housings, covers, and seals to exacting specifications.
• Interpret mechanical drawings, blueprints, and sketches to determine the best machining sequence and methods.
• Perform precision cutting, grinding, shaping, and fitting using equipment including VTLs, manual lathes, horizontal/vertical boring mills, and ID/OD grinders.
• Verify critical dimensions and convert readings into accurate numerical records with inspection tools.
• Evaluate and refine setups and procedures for efficiency and repeatability.
• Maintain tooling and machines to keep them in optimal condition.
• Follow Hydro shop safety policies and procedures without compromise.
• Partner with engineers, fellow machinists, and shop personnel to troubleshoot and solve problems.
  
  

What you bring

• Solid command of shop math and geometry for angles, radii, bolt circles, and precise dimensions.
• Understanding of feed rates and how adjustments affect cut quality and tool life.
• Hands-on skill setting up jigs, fixtures, arbors, mandrels, centers, and clamps.
• Proven ability to machine pump shafts 3–10 ft long using a steady rest and hold tolerances of 0.0005 in. or better.
• Exceptional attention to detail, manual dexterity, and fine control.
• 5 years of post-training experience machining LARGE PARTS on manual machines in an industrial setting.
• Technical or vocational training in machining (Journeyman preferred) and a high school diploma or equivalent.
  
  

Compensation, schedule, and perks

• Pay: $28.00–$35.00 per hour, based on skills and experience.
• Job Type: Full-time; Expected hours: 40 per week.
• Schedule: 8-hour shifts, Monday–Friday, with overtime as needed.
• Supplemental Pay: Differential pay; Night Shift preferred.
• Benefits: 401(k) with matching, health, dental, vision, HSA, life insurance, paid time off, and a referral program.
• Work Environment: Clean, employee-focused shop with free onsite parking.
• Location: Chicago, IL 60607. Onsite role; ability to commute required, or relocate before start.
  
  

Sign-on bonus

Earn a $8,000 sign-on bonus when you join us as a machinist running a VTL and Horizontal Boring Mill.

Ready to build what keeps the world moving?

If precision, problem-solving, and pride in craftsmanship drive you, we’d love to meet you in the West Loop.