Precision Machine Technician

Job Title: Precision Machine Technician 

Location: Papillion, NE

Salary Compensation: $24.00-$32.00 per hour | $50,000-$62,000 annually (Salary commensurate with experience.)

Work Location: On-Site Only (Not remote or hybrid)

Job Type: Direct Hire

Industry: Manufacturing

Company Size: 100-700 million in annual revenue

Keys to Job: Must set up and operate CNC and manual mills/lathes, read blueprints, hold tight tolerances, calculate speeds/feeds, use precision measuring tools, build fixtures, troubleshoot machining issues, follow 5S/safety practices, and bring 3-5+ years of machine shop or apprenticeship-level experience.

Precision Machine Technician

Job Description

A well-established industrial manufacturing operation is seeking a hands-on machining professional to support the production of custom components, short-run work, and specialty parts. This role is ideal for a quality-driven machinist who can move confidently between conventional equipment and CNC-controlled machinery while supporting daily shop priorities, setup needs, and continuous improvement expectations.

The selected candidate will work with multiple materials, interpret technical drawings, prepare machines for production, verify finished work, and help ensure that parts meet customer and internal quality standards. This position requires sound judgment, strong measurement discipline, mechanical problem-solving ability, and a practical understanding of machining processes from setup through final inspection.

Core Responsibilities

·      Set up and operate manual, special-purpose, and CNC machining equipment used to produce metallic and non-metallic components.

·      Review drawings, sketches, specifications, manuals, sample parts, and work instructions to determine dimensions, tolerances, sequencing, tooling, and setup requirements.

·      Select, align, secure, and adjust fixtures, cutting tools, work holding devices, attachments, accessories, and raw materials for mills, lathes, drill presses, and related shop equipment.

·      Calculate and adjust machining variables including speeds, feeds, coolant flow, cut depth, angles, chip load, and related control settings.

·      Input, retrieve, edit, or verify CNC program information and machine-control data as required for setup and production runs.

·      Start machines, monitor operation, identify out-of-tolerance conditions, and make adjustments to machine controls, tooling, setup, or process steps.

·      Perform trial runs to confirm accuracy of machine settings, program data, tooling choices, and work holding methods before production continues.

·      Measure, mark, scribe, inspect, and verify components using precision measurement methods and shop math.

·      Assemble machined parts when required and verify fit, alignment, dimensions, and functional quality of completed assemblies.

·      Build or modify fixtures for drilling, turning, milling, and other machining requirements.

·      Communicate with engineering, programming, sales support, production, and other internal partners to resolve technical or production-related issues.

·      Identify errors or inconsistencies in technical input, part requirements, or manufacturing instructions and communicate needed corrections so future output remains consistent.

·      Support 5S, safe work practices, quality expectations, environmental health and safety requirements, and continuous improvement activities.

·      Maintain a professional, dependable, team-oriented approach while meeting productivity, accuracy, and attendance standards.

Required Background and Qualifications

·      Associate degree, technical school training, or completion of a certified apprenticeship in machine technology, tool and die, or a closely related field preferred.

·      Equivalent experience may be considered, including four or more years of job-shop machining experience or a combination of education and hands-on training.

·      Three to five years of practical manufacturing or machine shop experience is strongly preferred.

·      Ability to set up and operate both conventional equipment and CNC-controlled machines.

·      Experience working in a quality-focused production environment with accountability for dimensional accuracy and conformance to specifications.

·      Strong blueprint reading, shop math, measurement, layout, troubleshooting, and mechanical reasoning skills.

·      Ability to read and interpret technical procedures, drawings, specifications, and general business or production instructions.

·      Ability to communicate effectively with managers, engineers, production personnel, customers, or internal stakeholders when questions or technical issues arise.

·      Working knowledge of geometry, trigonometry, fractions, ratios, percentages, tolerance fits, and practical machining calculations.

Technical Competencies Needed

·      Machine parts to print using sound sequencing, work holding, tooling selection, and inspection practices.

·      Perform single-point threading, including internal, external, and taper pipe threads, using appropriate reference materials and setup calculations.

·      Calculate speeds, feeds, and chip loads for turning, boring, drilling, and milling work.

·      Understand tool geometry, cutter selection, surface finish expectations, and compensation for tool deflection.

·      Sharpen drills, carbide tools, and high-speed steel tooling as needed for machining operations.

·      Lay out and measure bolt circles, coordinates, slots, and related part features.

·      Use precision tools such as calipers, micrometers, indicators, gauges, squares, punches, scribes, edge finders, and shop reference materials.

·      Develop a practical step-by-step machining approach before starting a job, including how the work will be held, cut, verified, and completed.

Tools and Equipment Familiarity

Candidates should be comfortable using standard machinist tools and measurement equipment, including scales, calipers, micrometers, combination squares, telescoping gauges, transfer punches, center punches, scribes, tape measures, scientific calculators, hammers, wrenches, dial indicators, edge finders, screwdriver sets, machinist reference manuals, Allen wrenches, thread pitch gauges, deburring tools, and a roll-around toolbox. Employer-supplied safety items and consumable tooling may be provided depending on shop policy.

Physical and Work Environment Requirements

·      Regular standing, reaching, handling of tools and materials, and close visual inspection of parts are required.

·      The role may involve sitting, walking, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and lifting or moving heavy items.

·      Work is performed around moving mechanical equipment and may include exposure to vibration, airborne particles, heat, humidity, and loud noise.

·      Close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus are important for safe and accurate work.

·      Reasonable accommodations may be considered in accordance with applicable requirements.

Personal Attributes and Work Style

·      Quality-focused, accurate, and detail-oriented with a strong commitment to producing parts correctly.

·      Analytical and practical problem solver who can use experience, data, and sound judgment to resolve machining challenges.

·      Reliable team contributor who communicates clearly, accepts feedback, supports shared goals, and maintains professionalism under pressure.

·      Safety-conscious, organized, adaptable, and willing to support process improvement, cost awareness, and consistent shop standards.

Benefits

The employer is expected to offer a competitive starting wage and a benefits package that may include health insurance, dental coverage, life insurance, retirement plan participation, paid vacation or personal time, paid holidays, profit sharing, and tuition reimbursement or training support.