Market -Competitive Compensation with a Robust Benefits Offering
Position Summary
The Manual Engine Lathe Operator sets up and operates conventional engine lathes to manufacture and repair close-tolerance aerospace components in accordance with engineering drawings, operation sheets, specifications, and quality requirements. The operator performs in-process inspection, and maintains full part and material traceability. This position requires sound manual machining judgment, disciplined safety practices, and the ability to consistently produce conforming work in low-volume, high-mix aerospace manufacturing.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Set up and operate manual engine lathes to perform turning, facing, boring, drilling, reaming, taper turning, grooving, chamfering, threading, knurling, and related operations.
- Interpret complex aerospace blueprints, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), sketches, operation sheets, process specifications, and written or verbal instructions.
- Plan the order of operations and select appropriate chucks, collets, faceplates, centers, steady rests, follower rests, mandrels, soft jaws, cutting tools, inserts, and fixtures.
- Indicate and align workpieces; establish datums and offsets; verify runout, concentricity, straightness, and workholding security before machining.
- Machine aerospace alloys and materials that may include nickel-based superalloys, titanium, stainless steels, alloy steels, aluminum, and other specified materials.
- Measure work using micrometers, vernier or digital calipers, bore gauges, depth micrometers, dial indicators, height gauges, thread gauges, surface-finish comparators, and other precision instruments.
- Perform first-piece and in-process inspections; record required results; stop work and promptly report nonconforming conditions, drawing discrepancies, damaged tooling, or process concerns.
- Perform routine machine checks, lubrication, cleaning, and basic troubleshooting; report unsafe conditions or maintenance needs and support corrective action.
- Follow approved setup instructions, lockout/tagout requirements, machine-guarding practices, PPE rules, and all environmental, health, safety, and quality procedures.
 Required Qualifications
- High school diploma, GED, or equivalent experience.
- Three or more years of recent manual engine-lathe experience in precision manufacturing; aerospace, defense, turbine, or other regulated manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to independently set up and operate a manual lathe, including the use of common workholding and support devices.
- Working knowledge of shop mathematics, including decimals, fractions, geometry, trigonometry, and calculations used for tapers, angles, speeds, feeds, and threads.
- Ability to read operational sheets and apply GD&T, dimensional tolerances, surface-finish requirements, and inspection criteria.
- Proficiency with precision measuring equipment and the ability to hold close tolerances appropriate to aerospace components.
- Ability to communicate clearly, follow controlled instructions, document work accurately, and work independently with limited supervision.
 Preferred Qualifications
- Technical school, apprenticeship, or journeyperson training in machining or toolmaking.
- Experience machining heat-resistant aerospace alloys.
 Qualified candidates may email their résumé along with a completed application form to jobs@electro-methods.com or mail to Electro-Methods, Inc. 330 Governors Hwy, South Windsor, CT 06074.
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All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
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