Manual Machinist – Mills & Lathes

Qualdoc • Richmond, VA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Manual Machinist sets up and operates mills and lathes to produce precision parts. This is a hands-on machining role involving independent tooling selection, interpretation of technical drawings, machine-setting adjustments, troubleshooting, and quality control. The position is contract to hire, located in Richmond, Virginia, and offers first- and second-shift schedules. Starting pay is $28.00 per hour, with higher pay potentially available depending on experience.

The work takes place primarily indoors in a manufacturing facility. The building is heated in winter but not air-conditioned in summer. The role requires standing on concrete floors for at least eight hours and performing tasks involving bending, kneeling, and squatting. Work areas may be noisy due to grinding or machine testing; earplugs are provided when needed. Employees must provide basic personal tools and wear safety glasses and steel-toed shoes. Long pants and a shirt with at least short sleeves are also required.

Requirements

• CNC certification is required.
• Strong manufacturing and machining background.
• Ability to read blueprints, engineering drawings, and GD&T specifications.
• Knowledge of manual mills, lathes, tooling, controls, and instrumentation.
• Basic math skills, including geometry and trigonometry.
• Strong attention to detail, sound judgment, troubleshooting, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and identify opportunities for process improvement.
• Must be able to stand on concrete floors for at least eight hours and perform tasks involving bending, kneeling, and squatting.
• Must provide basic personal tools, including box/open-end/socket wrench sets, Allen wrenches, screwdrivers, tap handles, pliers, a combination square, a 9-inch level, and a tape measure.
• Safety glasses and steel-toed shoes are required; long pants and a shirt with sleeves (at least short sleeves) are required.

Nice To Haves

• CNC programming experience.
• A lockable toolbox is recommended.
• Both metric and English tool sets are recommended.

Responsibilities

• Review blueprints, work orders, engineering drawings, and GD&T specifications to determine machining requirements.
• Set up mills and lathes, including installing chucks, collets, tools, attachments, and other fixtures.
• Enter or adjust machine program instructions, offsets, tool registers, and reference points as needed.
• Perform drilling, grooving, turning, facing, knurling, and thread-chasing operations.
• Use measuring instruments to verify dimensions, tolerances, machine settings, and finished parts.
• Identify machining problems, troubleshoot equipment, adjust controls, and sharpen or replace worn tooling.
• Follow quality assurance procedures and applicable safety standards.
• Perform preventive maintenance and report equipment malfunctions requiring repair.
• Document completed work, communicate issues between shifts, and maintain technical knowledge.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed