Lead Machinist

SISSCO Material Handling / Permadur Industries is hiring for an experienced and versatile Lead Machinist to join our hands-on machine shop. This position is ideal for a well-rounded machinist who is comfortable working independently, leading shop activities, and operating a wide variety of manual and CNC equipment.

The Lead Machinist will be responsible for producing small runs of precision parts, completing customer machining projects, assembling parts and finished products, and helping coordinate the daily workload of the machine shop. The successful candidate must be adaptable, quality-focused, and willing to take on a variety of machining, fabrication, and assembly responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Set up and operate manual lathes and milling machines, including Bridgeport-style mills.
• Set up and operate Haas VF CNC machining center.
• Operate shop equipment such as presses, ironworkers, band saws, drill presses, and related machinery.
• Manufacture small production runs, replacement parts, prototypes, and custom components.
• Perform customer machining and repair work based on drawings, specifications, samples, or existing parts.
• Read and interpret mechanical drawings, blueprints, tolerances, and work instructions.
• Determine appropriate tooling, fixtures, speeds, feeds, and machining methods.
• Inspect completed work using micrometers, calipers, gauges, and other precision measuring instruments.
• Assemble machined components, mechanical parts, and finished products.
• Troubleshoot machining, tooling, equipment, and assembly issues.
• Plan and prioritize daily shop activities to meet production schedules and customer requirements.
• Provide technical guidance and training to less-experienced employees.
• Maintain quality standards throughout the machining and assembly processes.
• Monitor tooling, materials, and shop supplies and communicate purchasing needs.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe working environment.
• Perform routine equipment inspections and coordinate necessary maintenance.
• Support other production and fabrication activities as needed in a small-shop environment.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of hands-on machining experience.
• Extensive experience operating manual lathes and Bridgeport-style milling machines.
• Experience setting up and operating CNC machining centers.
• Experience with presses, ironworkers, saws, drill presses, and general machine-shop equipment.
• Strong ability to read and interpret blueprints and mechanical drawings.
• Proficiency with precision measuring and inspection equipment.
• Experience producing custom parts and small production runs.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work from drawings, verbal instructions, samples, or existing components.
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of projects from setup through final inspection.
• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
• Commitment to quality, safety, and maintaining an efficient shop.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience programming or editing CNC programs.
• Experience with CAM software.
• Experience machining steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and other industrial materials.
• Welding, fabrication, equipment repair, or mechanical assembly experience.
• Previous experience leading machinists or coordinating work in a small machine shop.
• Experience working in an industrial manufacturing or custom equipment environment.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and work around machinery for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and move materials, tooling, parts, and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to safely perform bending, reaching, pushing, pulling, and other physical activities associated with machine-shop work.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for a dependable, experienced machinist who takes pride in producing quality work and enjoys the variety of a small-shop environment. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable machining a custom one-off component, completing a small production run, assembling a finished product, and helping another employee solve a machining problem.

This is a hands-on leadership position for someone who is willing to lead by example and do what is necessary to complete the job safely, accurately, and on schedule.