Assembly Lead

DH Machine•Nappanee, IN

1d•$25 - $35•Onsite

About The Position

DH Machine Inc. is a growing metal fabrication manufacturer in northern Indiana producing skid steer attachments, tractor attachments, and fabricated parts for OEM customers. Our attachment lines — including brush cutters, snow pushers, and self-dumping hoppers — are built to work as hard as the people who buy them. We run a fast-paced, team-oriented shop where quality, safety, and accountability come first. We are seeking an Assembly Lead to direct the day-to-day assembly of our brush cutter, snow pusher, and hopper product lines. This is a hands-on working lead role: you will spend time on the floor building product alongside your team while also planning the day, assigning work, solving problems, and making sure every unit that leaves your area meets our quality standards and ship dates. The Assembly Lead reports to the Production Manager.

Requirements

3+ years of mechanical assembly experience in a manufacturing environment (heavy equipment, attachments, agricultural, trailer, or similar preferred)
Demonstrated lead, supervisory, or crew-chief experience — or a clear track record of being the person others go to on the floor
Strong working knowledge of hydraulic systems: routing hoses, installing fittings, motors, and cylinders, and leak-testing assemblies
Proficiency with hand tools, pneumatic/electric tools, torque wrenches, and overhead hoists/lifting equipment
Ability to read blueprints, BOMs, and work orders accurately
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs regularly and work on your feet in a shop environment
Reliable attendance and a safety-first mindset

Nice To Haves

Experience assembling skid steer or tractor attachments, or comparable fabricated/welded steel products
Forklift certification (or ability to obtain)
Basic weld inspection knowledge (visual acceptance criteria)
Experience with production scheduling or ERP work-order systems
Continuous improvement / lean manufacturing exposure

Responsibilities

Direct and coordinate a team of assemblers across three active product lines
Assign daily work based on the production schedule, priorities, and team member skill sets
Train new team members and cross-train existing ones on assembly methods, torque specs, and quality checkpoints
Set the tone for safety, attendance, pace, and workmanship — lead by example
Communicate clearly with the Production Manager on staffing needs, bottlenecks, and schedule risks
Coach performance issues early and constructively; escalate when needed
Perform and oversee mechanical assembly of brush cutters, snow pushers, and hoppers — including hydraulic components (motors, hoses, fittings, cylinders), gearboxes, blades, bearings, cutting edges, pivot assemblies, and hardware
Read and interpret blueprints, BOMs, work orders, and assembly instructions
Verify torque specifications, fitment, alignment, and function on completed units
Perform final inspection and functional checks (including hydraulic leak checks) before units move to shipping
Identify missing, damaged, or nonconforming components and work with fabrication, powder coating, and purchasing to resolve them
Keep the assembly area organized, safe, and stocked
Track daily output against schedule and flag constraints before they become misses
Recommend fixture, layout, tooling, and process improvements that reduce assembly time or rework
Support seasonal ramp-ups (snow pushers in late summer/fall; brush cutters in winter/spring) by planning ahead on staffing and component availability