Mechanical Sub-Foreperson

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority•Everett, MA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Mechanical Sub-Foreperson supports the Machine Shop Foreperson in the daily oversight of shop fabrication, mechanical repair, and overhaul activities. The role provides both structured and hands-on instruction to machine shop employees and apprentices at varying skill levels. This position blends supervisory responsibilities with a strong instructional component, ensuring consistent application of mechanical standards, proper machining techniques, and effective employee development across the Authority. Work is performed in machine shops, maintenance facilities, fabrication areas, vehicle facilities, and field locations. The Mechanical Sub-Foreperson ensures that all activities comply with MBTA policies, procedures, and safety requirements. This role is responsible for promoting and enforcing safe work practices within the machine shop, including compliance with machine guarding, lockout/tagout, PPE, lifting and rigging, hazardous-material, environmental, and equipment-operating requirements. The position must identify, document, report, and escalate unsafe conditions, defective equipment, training gaps, or other hazards and participate in safety briefings, inspections, investigations, and corrective-action activities as required.

Requirements

A high school diploma or equivalent from an accredited institution.
Five (5) years of machinist experience in a precision machine shop environment, including complex repair, maintenance, overhaul, fabrication, manual machining, CNC machining, close-tolerance measurement, component reconditioning, and mechanical system restoration.
Demonstrated ability to interpret and work from diagrams, drawings, blueprints, technical specifications, repair procedures, and written instructions.
Experience in a supervisory, lead worker, acting, training, or instructional capacity within a machine shop, mechanical, manufacturing, or maintenance environment.
Demonstrated ability to operate and provide instruction on machine tools, precision measuring equipment, manual machinery, CNC equipment, and related shop systems.
Effective communication, instructional, organizational, analytical, and conflict-resolution skills.
Ability to train, guide, evaluate, and provide constructive feedback to employees at varying skill levels.
Ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel, database applications, computerized maintenance systems, and training-record systems.
Possess a valid driver’s license.
Ability to supervise and work effectively with a diverse workforce.
Ability to provide internal and external customers with a courteous and professional experience.
Ability to successfully complete training in instructional techniques and adult-learning principles within a timeframe established by the Authority.

Nice To Haves

Technical degree, trade-school diploma, apprenticeship, or machinist/mechanical certification from an accredited institution.
Advanced experience operating, troubleshooting, and maintaining lathes, mills, grinders, CNC equipment, and precision measuring tools.
Experience developing and delivering technical training related to machining processes, equipment operation, technical measurement, blueprint reading, and shop safety.
Supervisory or lead-level experience in a precision machine shop, manufacturing, overhaul, or fleet-maintenance environment.
Experience with workflow planning, quality assurance, dimensional inspection, tooling, fixtures, and root-cause analysis.
Experience using computerized maintenance, manufacturing, quality, or learning-management systems.

Responsibilities

Assist the Machine Shop Foreperson in planning, assigning, prioritizing, overseeing, and reviewing mechanical repair, overhaul, machining, and fabrication work.
Assign and direct machinists, apprentices, trainees, and other assigned personnel within the limits of their training and qualifications.
Inspect in-progress and completed work to ensure safe execution, dimensional accuracy, workmanship, schedule compliance, and adherence to technical specifications and Authority standards.
Provide classroom, shop-based, and hands-on technical instruction to machinists, apprentices, trainees, and other assigned employees.
Train employees in the safe and proper use of machine tools, precision measuring instruments, manual and CNC equipment, shop machinery, and related systems.
Interpret and explain diagrams, drawings, blueprints, technical specifications, repair procedures, and work instructions.
Develop, maintain, and deliver instructional materials, demonstrations, lesson plans, training modules, practical exercises, and assessments.
Conduct pre-training, post-training, and practical evaluations to assess skill development and qualification readiness.
Monitor completion of required training modules, certifications, and qualifications and maintain accurate training records.
Review and document work assignments, production activity, training participation, employee performance, and maintenance records using applicable manual and computerized systems.
Identify workmanship, tooling, material, equipment, training, staffing, or safety concerns and escalate them to the Machine Shop Foreperson or other appropriate management.
Ensure compliance with applicable safety rules, PPE requirements, machine-guarding requirements, lockout/tagout procedures, environmental requirements, and shop operating procedures.
Ensure tools, machinery, equipment, materials, inventory, and facilities are properly used, maintained, and protected.
Support the development of improved machining methods, training techniques, technical reports, tooling, fixtures, presentations, and procedures.
Coordinate with Engineering, Training, Quality, Safety, Materials, and other departments as needed.
Assume the responsibilities of the Machine Shop Foreperson as assigned or in their absence.
Respond to emergencies, service needs, and operational requirements as directed.
Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.