Machining Specialist - Hydraulic Cylinder Remanufacturing at Texas Hydraulics Inc – Temple, Texas

What You’ll Do
You’ll take worn, damaged, or out-of-spec hydraulic cylinder components and restore them to exacting standards. This role is equal parts precision, judgment, and craftsmanship.

You’re not just running machines, you’re making decisions that directly impact performance, reliability, and whether a cylinder goes back into service or fails in the field.

• Set up and operate manual and CNC equipment including lathes, mills, and honing machines
• Machine and restore critical components such as barrels, rods, pistons, and glands
• Perform barrel boring and honing to achieve proper finishes and sealing surfaces
• Turn, polish, and prep rods for chrome or repair processes
• Cut and restore threads (internal and external) to spec
• Machine and modify heads and pistons for proper fit and function
• Measure everything, micrometers, bore gauges, indicators, calipers, no guesswork
• Hold tight tolerances to ensure proper sealing, alignment, and long-term performance
• Evaluate components and determine whether they can be repaired or need replacement
• Set speeds, feeds, coolant flow, and depth of cut based on material and job requirements
• Edit and adjust CNC programs to achieve the correct results
• Run trial setups and make adjustments to ensure accuracy before full production
• Monitor machine operation and correct issues before they become scrap

• You’re a seasoned machinist who knows how to hit tight tolerances consistently
• You understand how machining decisions impact sealing, wear, and performance
• You can read prints, drawings, and specs without needing them explained
• You know how to adjust on the fly when material or conditions change
• You’ve worked with large components and aren’t intimidated by size or complexity
• You take pride in precision and don’t cut corners to hit numbers

• High school diploma or equivalent; technical training preferred
• 10+ years of machining experience, ideally with hydraulic cylinders or heavy equipment
• Strong manual machining background (lathe and mill experience required)
• CNC experience with the ability to edit programs
• Experience with honing, thread repair, and cylinder-specific processes
• Experience machining large components (up to 2,000 lbs and 15 ft)
• Strong understanding of speeds, feeds, tooling, and material behavior
• Proficient with precision measurement tools and inspection practices
• Working knowledge of hydraulic cylinder function and common failure modes
• Forklift experience is a plus

• Work closely with assembly, engineering, and quality to solve machining challenges
• Support weld repair and post-weld machining as needed
• Help identify root causes of failures and improve repair processes
• Share your knowledge and help develop less experienced machinists
• Set the standard for quality, accountability, and craftsmanship on the floor

This is a heavy manufacturing environment. You’ll be working around moving equipment, airborne particles, fumes, and occasional heat. It’s loud, it’s hands-on, and it requires focus.

• Regularly lift and move up to 50 lbs
• Stand, walk, and operate equipment throughout the shift
• Use hands, tools, and precision instruments consistently
• Visual focus is critical, close, distance, depth, and detail