Swiss Machinist

The Blueprint (Role Profile)

The Swiss Lathe Machinist is responsible for planning, programming, and setting up machining operations by interpreting work orders, blueprints, and technical specifications to produce precision components. This role requires strong technical skills in operating and adjusting lathes and mills, the ability to troubleshoot machining processes, and a commitment to maintaining quality standards and equipment performance. The ideal candidate demonstrates attention to detail, adherence to safety and quality procedures, and the ability to independently manage machining tasks while ensuring accurate documentation and communication across shifts.

The Build (Responsibilities)

• Plan machining by studying work orders, blueprints, engineering plans, materials, specifications, orthographic drawings, reference planes, locations of surfaces, and machining parameters; interpret geometric dimensions and tolerances.
• Plan stock inventory by checking stock to determine amount available; anticipate needed stock; place and expedite orders for stock; verify receipt of stock.
• Program lathes and/or mills by entering instructions, including zero and reference points; setting tool registers, offsets, compensation, and conditional switches; calculating requirements, including basic math, geometry, and trigonometry; proving part programs.
• Set up lathes and/or mills by installing and adjusting tools, attachments, collets, bushings, and stock pushers, and tramming heads.
• Loads feed mechanism by lifting stock into position.
• Verify settings by measuring positions, first-run part, and sample workpieces, adhering to standards.
• Maintain specifications by observing drilling, grooving, and cutting, including turning, facing, knurling and thread chasing operations; taking measurements; detecting malfunctions; troubleshooting processes; adjusting and reprogramming controls; sharpening and replacing worn tools.
• Adhere to quality assurance procedures and processes.
• Maintain safe operations by adhering to safety procedures and regulations.
• Maintain equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; following manufacturer's instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions; calling for repairs.
• Maintain continuity among work shifts by documenting and communicating actions, irregularities, and continuing needs.
• Document actions by completing production and quality logs.

The Toolbox (Qualifications)

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Technical school certificate: or three years' related experience and/or training.
• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to troubleshoot and problem solve programs and processes.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to continually stand. The employee is frequently required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms (overhead reaching), push or pull and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and ability to adjust focus.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.