Manual Engine Lathe in South Windsor, Connecticut at Electro-Methods Inc

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.

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.