Aftermarket Pump Machining Supervisor

Your afternoon starts at 2:30 p.m. in Chicago’s West Loop. You greet the team, review the job board, and walk the floor—assembly, inspection, weld, and machining cells humming in concert. A rush pump rebuild is due by week’s end, and you’ve already synced with Engineering on tolerances and the root-cause report. You brief your machinists on the blueprint details, confirm materials are staged, and re-sequence work to keep every spindle cutting and every deadline intact.

That’s a typical second shift for the Machine Shop Lead at Hydro, Inc.—the world’s largest independent pump rebuilder. From our Chicago headquarters, Hydro has delivered unbiased engineering analysis, precision repair, and responsive field service to optimize pump performance since 1969. Our mission is simple and steadfast: partner closely with customers to diagnose the causes of pump degradation and elevate reliability across their operations.

What you’ll lead

• Run the 2nd shift (2:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.), directing machinists, mechanics, and shop personnel with an employee-focused leadership approach.
• Translate customer requirements into actionable plans; publish detailed job status updates and coordinate priorities across machining, assembly, inspection, and weld shops.
• Control and monitor work-in-process to hit preset dates and exceed quality and productivity goals.
• Partner daily with the Shop Manager to hand off in-process work to the next shift; engage Engineers for guidance on complex shop-floor issues.
• Review and explain drawings and complete blueprints to the team; ensure scope of work is executed and correct materials are on site before jobs start.
• Lead safety—model, enforce, and train on all company safety guidelines.
• Coordinate people and work to cover emergency weekend needs when required.
• Troubleshoot repair challenges while maintaining exemplary leadership and communication.

Your toolkit

• Manual machining background, including refurbished large-part work on horizontal boring machines and vertical boring mills.
• Strength in machine setups for production runs, advanced inspection and gauge measurement, and hands-on shop realities.
• Comfort using an overhead crane for part handling.
• Experience with ERP systems is a plus; proficiency with Microsoft Office is required.

What makes you successful here

• 5+ years of supervisory experience in an industrial aftermarket environment managing machinists, mechanics, and shop staff.
• Proven ability to plan, schedule, and manage multiple projects under tight deadlines.
• Experience in an equipment repair shop—ideally pumps or power generation.
• Basic foundation in manual machining and welding.
• Good mathematical aptitude and strong print-reading skills.
• High school diploma or equivalent; an Associate’s degree or higher is a plus. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Why Hydro

• Excellent compensation, full benefits, and a company 401(k) match.
• Real growth opportunities in a global, engineering-driven organization.
• Work in a desirable West Loop neighborhood—free parking, near restaurants, public transit, and expressways.

About Hydro, Inc.

Hydro, Inc. is a global industrial pump reengineering leader headquartered in Chicago. Since 1969, we have partnered with customers to improve reliability and performance by uncovering root causes of pump failure and delivering high-quality workmanship and fast, responsive service.

Ready to lead?

If you’re energized by orchestrating people, machines, and materials to deliver precision pump rebuilds on time, we’d like to meet you.