Grinding and Buffing - Starting at $27/hour - Smith, Watertown SD

ITW • Watertown, MA

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Grinding and Buffing Operator prepares, grinds, sands, and buffs metal or other manufactured parts to meet quality, surface-finish, and production standards. The operator uses hand tools and powered equipment, inspects completed work, and maintains an organized and safe work area.

The role also uses metal-cleaning and finishing equipment, including metcote tanks, a thermal deburrer, electro-plating tanks, and soap and rinse tanks. The operator uses test equipment to monitor chemical balances, temperatures, and cleanliness; assists with wastewater treatment; troubleshoots and performs routine maintenance on finishing equipment; and helps manage chemical supplies and consumables. The position supports department production goals, documentation, quality improvement, and the ITW/Smith principles of simplify, focus, flow, empower, and trust.

Smith Equipment, located in Watertown, South Dakota, manufactures oxy-fuel equipment and is a Miller Electric Company, part of Illinois Tool Works (ITW).

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• No allergies to oils, solvents, or solutions.
• Physical ability to lift, carry, and maneuver 50 pounds.
• Physical ability to stand all day.
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively in a team-oriented environment.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, with customers, suppliers, and other employees.
• Demonstrated ability to read and interpret applicable blueprints, schematics, and diagrams.

Responsibilities

• Operate grinders, sanders, buffers, and related hand or powered equipment to remove rough edges, excess material, scratches, weld marks, and surface defects.
• Select and install abrasive wheels, belts, discs, compounds, pads, and fixtures according to material and finish requirements.
• Read work orders, drawings, specifications, and quality standards to determine processes and required surface finishes.
• Inspect parts before, during, and after processing; identify defects and rework or report nonconforming materials as directed.
• Measure or visually verify dimensions, surface quality, and finish using required gauges and inspection tools.
• Maintain production records, including completed quantities, scrap, rework, and material usage.
• Perform routine equipment checks, replace worn consumables, and promptly report malfunctions or safety concerns.
• Follow safety procedures, use required personal protective equipment and machine guards, and keep the work area clean and orderly.
• Handle and move materials, parts, and finished products according to workplace procedures.
• Use metal-cleaning and finishing equipment, including metcote tanks, a thermal deburrer, electro-plating tanks, and soap and rinse tanks.
• Use test equipment to maintain appropriate chemical balances, temperatures, and cleanliness.
• Assist in maintaining the wastewater treatment system and chemical supplies and other regular consumables.
• Troubleshoot and perform routine maintenance of metal-finishing equipment and the assigned work area.
• Store, handle, and dispose of hazardous materials properly.
• Maintain department records and assist with documentation and control of processes in accordance with established procedures.
• Support team production goals and continuous improvement by suggesting setup and process improvements.
• Recommend ways to prevent quality problems, improve procedures and methods, and increase department or division productivity using TQC problem-solving techniques.
• Set goals and targets that support the company, department, and assigned tasks.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 401(k) match and an additional retirement contribution.
• 11 paid holidays, 5 sick days, and vacation time.
• Company-paid life, AD&D, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance.
• Four weeks of paid parental leave and adoption reimbursement.
• Tuition reimbursement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED