Lead Machinist

Job Title: Lead Machinist

Job Location: Gillette, WY

Responsibilities:

We are seeking an experienced, motivated, and detail-oriented Lead Machinist to take an active leadership role in daily shop operations while working closely with management to improve efficiency, strengthen shop capabilities, and grow the business to its fullest potential. This hands-on leader will combine strong machining and fabrication skills with practical leadership, problem-solving, and operational management to ensure safety, efficiency, and quality.

The ideal candidate will oversee machining processes and equipment, prioritize workloads, coordinate projects, maintain quality standards, and identify opportunities to strengthen shop's workflow and overall capabilities. This role is ideal for someone who wants more than a production role- someone who can help build, improve, and lead a machine shop to its fullest potential with safety, quality, and efficiency at its core.

Key Responsibilities

Shop Operations & Leadership

• Manage daily machine shop operations, prioritizing jobs, coordinating workloads, and ensuring safe, efficient, and timely production.
• Establish work standards, maintain shop organization, and optimize workflow, equipment utilization, and productivity.
• Identify opportunities to improve operations, expand shop capabilities, and plan equipment, tooling, and facility investments.

Machining & Technical Expertise

• Set up, operate, and oversee conventional and specialized machine tools, including lathes, milling machines, boring mills, grinders, drill presses, and related equipment.
• Perform turning, milling, boring, drilling, threading, grinding, and other machining operations as required.
• Interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, dimensions, tolerances, and specifications to select appropriate materials, tooling, and machining methods.
• Verify finished parts meet quality and dimensional requirements, troubleshoot technical issues, and develop improved machining processes.

Safety, Quality & Maintenance

• Enforce safe work practices and proper use of machine guards, tooling, workholding devices, and equipment in accordance with applicable procedures and manufacturer guidelines.
• Coordinate preventive maintenance, address equipment issues, minimize downtime, and reduce scrap and operating costs.
• Maintain high standards of workmanship, quality control, and shop cleanliness.

Collaboration & Business Growth

• Work with management to align shop capabilities, production schedules, and resources with business objectives and customer requirements.
• Communicate project progress, material needs, equipment requirements, scheduling conflicts, and potential delays.
• Provide recommendations on staffing, equipment investments, tooling, workflow, job estimates, and production planning.
• Evaluate new business opportunities, develop additional service capabilities, and contribute to long-term operational strategy and shop growth.
• Maintain effective, professional relationships with management, coworkers, vendors, and customers.

LongShot Fabrication and Repair is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local law.

Pay: From $30.00 per hour

Expected hours: 30.0 – 50.0 per week

Benefits:

• Referral program
• Relocation assistance

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Preferred)

Experience:

• Machining: 3 years (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $30