Manual Machinist - Turbine Repair Shop

Sulzer is a leading engineering company with a proud heritage of innovation. Join our global team to grow your expertise and develop innovative solutions that enable a prosperous and more sustainable society.
About The Role
Job Summary
The Sr. Machine Operator is responsible for operating and maintaining production machinery, ensuring efficient and safe operations. This role performs advanced machine setup, monitors production quality, and may assist in training junior operators.
This job profile is intended for experienced support-level staff that generally works autonomously and only requires closer supervision in non-routine situations.
Machinist is responsible for machining and refurbishing turbine and rotating‑equipment components using conventional machine tools. This role requires hands‑on experience with manual lathes, HBM, VTL, 4‑jaw chuck setups, precision measuring tools, and the ability to consistently hold tight tolerances on critical turbine parts.
Key Responsibilities

• Set up and operate manual lathes, mills, horizontal boring mills (HBM), vertical turret lathes (VTL), and related machining equipment.
• Perform advanced 4‑jaw chuck setups, indicating, and alignment of irregular, heavy, and split components.
• Machine turbine components including IGVs, diaphragms, rings, shafts, sleeves, and split casings.
• Achieve and verify tight machining tolerances (typically ±0.001" or as specified by drawings and procedures).
• Conduct dimensional inspections using micrometers, dial indicators, calipers, bore gauges, and other precision instruments.
• Read and interpret blueprints, repair drawings, travelers, and work instructions.
• Select correct tooling, speeds, feeds, and machining methods for each job.
• Safely handle large and heavy components using overhead cranes, lifts, and rigging equipment.
  

Required Qualifications

• Ability to work a 12‑day, 10‑hour minimum schedule with 12‑day, 12‑hour schedules during outage seasons.
• 3–5+ years of experience operating manual lathes, mills, and conventional machining equipment.
• Strong proficiency with 4‑jaw chuck setups and precision indicating.
• Skilled in the use of precision measuring instruments (micrometers, indicators, bore gauges, etc.).
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, blueprints, and repair procedures.
• Must supply basic personal hand tools.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in turbine repair, power generation, or heavy‑industrial machining.
• Knowledge of machining tolerances, fits, and GD&T.
• Experience operating overhead cranes and/or forklifts.
• Ability to machine large, heavy, and split turbine components.
  

Competencies

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment.
• Effective communication and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong commitment to safety and proper machining practices.
  

What we offer you
Country-specific benefits

• 15 days of paid time off and 12 company-paid holidays
• 401k plan with a 6% match
• Comprehensive health plan including medical, dental, vision, Life, short-term & long-term disability
• Motivating wellness program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid paternal leave
• Gym re-imbursement
• New onsite cafeteria, all meals subsidized (La Porte Service Center)
  

Sulzer is an equal opportunity employer. We believe in the strength of a diverse workforce and are committed to offering an inclusive work environment.
We are proud to be recognized as a Top Employer 2026 in Brazil, Canada, China, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, Switzerland, South Africa, the UK and the USA.