Grinding Technician
Shift: Second Shift (3PM-1:30AM Mon-Thurs)
Summary
The Grinding Technician is responsible for setup, operation, in-process inspection, and troubleshooting of grinding equipment to produce high-precision components that meet customer specifications and quality standards. This role supports finishing operations from setup through final In Process inspection and plays a critical role in maintaining tight tolerances and superior surface finishes while contributing to continuous improvement in a manufacturing environment.
Safety, HS&E, and Compliance:
- Enforce company safety policies and promote a strong safety culture.
- Ensure PPE usage, safety training participation, near-miss reporting, and monthly safety inspections.
- Maintain OSHA and EPA compliance across assigned operations.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Set up, align, and operate grinding machines (Blanchard Grinders / Rotary Surface grinders)
- Interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and specifications to accurately finish parts to tight tolerances.
- Select appropriate grinding wheels, dressing tools, and machine parameters for optimal performance.
- Perform wheel dressing, balancing, and routine maintenance of grinding equipment.
- Perform in-process inspections and final inspections using precision measuring tools such as Calipers, micrometers, pin gauges, indicators, and surface finish instruments Keyence.
- Make machine adjustments to achieve required tolerances and surface finishes.
- Troubleshoot dimensional or surface quality issues during production.
- Verify product quality and ensure conformance to specifications and customer requirements.
- Maintain proper documentation of grinding operations as required.
- Follow all safety procedures and maintain a clean and organized work area (5S standards).
- Support continuous improvement initiatives to increase process capability and reduce scrap/rework.
- Perform basic maintenance on machines
Documentation & Reporting
- Record production checks, inspection results, and issues in Excel or ERP systems (Invex).
- Maintain accurate data for job tracking, traceability, scrap reporting, and production performance.
- Communication defects, delays, and equipment concerns, to leadership and support teams.
Additional Responsibilities
- Perform material handling, including loading and unloading parts.
- Clean and prepare parts after grinding operations.
- Support inventory handling and part staging as needed.
- Assist with inspection processes and packaging of finished goods.
Skills & Abilities:
- Strong understanding of grinding processes and precision finishing techniques.
- Ability to read and interpret blueprints and technical drawings with tight tolerances.
- Knowledge of grinding wheels, and dressing methods.
- Solid shop math skills, including fractions, decimals, and metric/imperial conversions.
- High attention to detail and strong problem-solving ability.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a precision-focused environment.
Work Ethic
- Reliable, self-motivated, and quality-driven mindset.
- Takes ownership of work, machines, and continuous improvement efforts.
Communication & Teamwork
- Effective communication with machinists, operators, leaders, and quality teams.
- Ability to work cross-functionally across departments to resolve issues and improve processes.
Education & Experience:
- High School Diploma or GED required
- 2+ years of grinding, precision, or manual machining experience preferred. Machine operation of any type is a positive.
- Experience Blanchard Grinders / Rotary Surface grinders a plus.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.
- Frequent handling of tools, parts, and inspection equipment.
- Good vision required, including close-up focus for precision inspection work.
Work Environment
- Manufacturing shop environment.
- Exposure to moving machinery, noise, coolant, and metalworking conditions