Manual Machinist - 1st Shift

NOW HIRING: 1st Shift Manual Machinist American Crane & Equipment Corporation Douglassville, PA Department: Manufacturing | 1st Shift: Monday–Friday, 5:00 AM–1:30 PM Full-Time | On-Site | Non-Exempt | Up to $34/hour 531 Old Swede Road, Douglassville, PA 19518 What This Role Really Is This is a hands‑on machining position in a shop that builds custom, low‑volume components for overhead cranes and hoists — not a production line cranking out the same part a thousand times a shift. You’ll set up, operate, and own the output of manual and CNC machines, working from blueprints on parts that actually matter. The work here demands real skill: reading prints, understanding steel properties, applying trig and geometry to get tolerances right, and knowing when a cut looks wrong before the measuring tools confirm it. You’re making precision components that go into lifting equipment rated for critical loads — there’s no room for “close enough.” If you’re the kind of machinist who takes pride in holding tight tolerances and wants variety in your work instead of repetitive mass production, this is the shop for you. What You’ll Do Machining & Operations Operate manual machines — lathes, horizontal boring mills, drill presses, and milling machines — to produce precision components Apply advanced knowledge of steel properties and material characteristics to select appropriate feeds, speeds, and tooling Use trigonometry and geometry to calculate dimensions, angles, and tolerances for complex machining tasks Operate CNC machines and create jigs or sharpen tools as needed to support manufacturing operations Blueprints & Precision Measurement Read and interpret engineering blueprints to extract machining requirements, dimensions, and tolerances Use precision measuring tools — micrometers, calipers, bore gauges, height gauges — to verify parts meet specifications Identify and flag discrepancies between prints and finished components before they leave your station Quality, Safety & Shop Maintenance Estimate job timelines and manage your queue efficiently while maintaining quality standards Keep machines properly maintained, tooling organized, and your workspace clean and safe Follow all safety protocols — including lockout/tagout, PPE requirements, and safe machine operation practices Collaborate with team members and leadership to meet production goals without cutting corners This shop rewards machinists who think before they cut and take ownership of every part that leaves their machine. The work is varied — you’ll go from a one‑off shaft to a batch of custom brackets in the same week — and that variety keeps things interesting if you have the range to handle it. You'll Do Well Here If Can read a blueprint and visualize the setup before you touch the machine Know the difference between “good enough” and “in spec” — and won’t accept the first one Prefer custom, low‑volume work over running the same part all day Keep your workspace organized because you know a messy bench leads to bad parts Take pride in precision and treat every cut like your name is stamped on the finished piece This Probably Isn’t The Right Fit If You need someone standing over your shoulder to maintain quality You’re only comfortable with CNC and haven’t run manual machines You prefer high‑volume, repetitive production work What We’re Looking For High school diploma or GED Proficient knowledge of machine shop procedures and steel properties Strong blueprint interpretation and precision measuring skills Ability to apply trigonometry and geometry to machining tasks Ability to operate manual machines: lathes, horizontal boring mills, drill presses, and milling machines Preferred 3+ years of experience operating lathes, horizontal boring mills, drill presses, and milling machines Vocational training or a Machinist/Journeyman Certificate Familiarity with CNC machine operations What Success Looks Like First 30 Days — Learn the Shop Complete company onboarding, safety orientation, and shop tour Get familiar with the machines, tooling, materials, and job‑tracking systems used in the shop Meet your team — fellow machinists, shop leadership, quality, and engineering contacts Run supervised setups and jobs to demonstrate your manual machining fundamentals Understand how blueprints, work orders, and quality checks flow through the shop Days 31–60 — Start Producing Set up and run jobs independently on manual machines with consistent quality output Demonstrate reliable precision measurement and self‑inspection habits Begin working with CNC machines if applicable to your skill set Manage your job queue and estimate timelines accurately Build working relationships with engineering and quality for print clarifications Days 61+ — Own Your Output Produce parts across the full range of manual machines with minimal supervision Consistently meet quality standards — your parts pass inspection without rework Contribute to shop efficiency — tooling organization, setup time improvements, or process suggestions Handle the variety of custom work confidently, from one‑offs to short‑run batches Be recognized by your team as someone who delivers reliable, precision work Work Environment & Schedule On‑site at 531 Old Swede Road, Douglassville, PA 19518 1st Shift: Monday–Friday, 5:00 AM–1:30 PM with overtime as needed Manufacturing shop environment — work near moving mechanical parts and industrial equipment Exposure to varying temperatures, noise, and standard shop conditions Required compliance with safety procedures and PPE standards Requirements & Compliance Authorization to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship Ability to verify identity and employment authorization in compliance with Form I‑9 requirements Eligibility to access information or technology governed by U.S. export control laws, including 10 C.F.R. Part 810, EAR, and/or ITAR, where applicable. If government authorization is required for access to controlled technology, employment or start date may be delayed or withdrawn in accordance with applicable law Certain positions and projects may require the ability to obtain and maintain unescorted access to nuclear facilities in compliance with NRC regulations (10 C.F.R. Parts 26 & 73) Willingness to undergo a background check in accordance with applicable laws Willingness to undergo a pre‑employment drug screen and randomized drug screening during employment Ability to lift up to 50 pounds, climb ladders, and work full‑time hours including overtime as needed Ability to work near moving mechanical parts and in varied environmental conditions Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation What’s In It for You? Competitive hourly pay up to $34/hour based on experience, skills, and market data Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance — available day one 401(k) with company match Generous paid time off with rollover each year 10 paid company‑observed holidays Tuition reimbursement and technical training opportunities What To Expect From Our Hiring Process Application review — we actually read them Phone screen with our Talent Acquisition team In‑person interview with Manufacturing leadership — expect hands‑on and technical discussion Shop walkthrough so you can see the machines and environment firsthand Offer and onboarding — typically within 2 weeks of final interview All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and drug screen, subject to applicable laws and regulations. American Crane & Equipment Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The company maintains and observes employment policies that do not discriminate against any person because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability, age, ancestry and any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. This applies to recruiting, hiring, training, compensation, overtime, job classifications, work assignments, promotions, demotions, layoffs, terminations, transfers, and all other conditions of employment. NOTE American Crane & Equipment Corporation is not seeking assistance or accepting unsolicited resumes from search firms for employment opportunities, unless they have a written agreement for the position they are contacting us about. Regardless of past practice, all resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at American Crane & Equipment Corporation without a valid written search agreement in place for that position will be deemed the sole property of American Crane & Equipment Corporation, and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by American Crane & Equipment Corporation as a result of the referral or through other means. Monday through Friday 5:30am-1:30pm 40 hours per week plus OT as needed #J-18808-Ljbffr American Crane & Equipment Corporation