STS Technical Services is hiring a Sr. Machinist in West Point, Mississippi. This role is built for a highly skilled, lead-level manufacturing professional with hands-on experience setting up, operating and maintaining CNC and manual equipment, including vertical milling machines, press brakes and plasma cutting systems.
The Senior Machinist will serve as a technical resource on the shop floor, ensuring parts are produced to engineering specifications with a strong focus on quality, precision and on-time delivery. This position also supports junior machinists, continuous improvement initiatives and all applicable quality and safety standards.
Position Summary
The Senior Machinist is responsible for CNC and manual machining, press brake operations, plasma cutting, quality documentation, mentorship and shop floor safety. This role requires strong technical ability, leadership experience and the ability to work from complex drawings, GD&T requirements, work orders and traveler packages.
CNC and Manual Machining
- Set up, program and operate CNC vertical machining centers and manual mills
- Troubleshoot CNC and manual machining issues as needed
- Use conversational programming or G-code to produce precision components
- Produce parts according to engineering drawings and specified tolerances
- Perform first-article inspections and in-process dimensional verification
- Use precision measuring instruments, including calipers, micrometers, CMM, height gauges and bore gauges
- Select appropriate tooling, speeds, feeds and fixturing for accurate material removal
- Work with a variety of metals, including steel, aluminum, stainless, titanium and alloys
- Interpret and work from GD&T-annotated engineering drawings, work orders and traveler packages
Press Brake Operations
- Set up and operate CNC and manual press brakes
- Form sheet metal and plate components according to specified bend sequences, angles and tolerances
- Select tooling, including punches and dies
- Program bending sequences
- Verify springback compensation and material allowances
- Perform first-piece checks and in-process inspections to ensure dimensional compliance
- Maintain die sets and tooling inventory
- Inspect tooling for wear and report deficiencies
Plasma Cutting Operations
- Set up and operate CNC plasma cutting tables
- Operate hand-held plasma systems for profile cutting of ferrous and non-ferrous materials
- Load and nest cut programs
- Adjust amperage, standoff height and feed rates to optimize cut quality and minimize heat-affected zones
- Inspect cut parts for dimensional accuracy, edge quality and conformance to drawing specifications
- Perform routine maintenance on plasma cutting equipment
- Replace consumables, including tips, electrodes and shields
- Support water table upkeep
Quality and Documentation
- Complete required production travelers, inspection records and non-conformance reports in accordance with the quality management system
- Participate in first-article inspections
- Support in-process audits and corrective action activities as needed
- Maintain awareness of and compliance with applicable customer requirements, specifications and regulatory standards
Mentorship and Team Leadership
- Provide on-the-job training and technical guidance to machinist apprentices, machinists and setup operators
- Assist with workload planning and job sequencing to support on-time delivery goals
- Communicate effectively with engineering, quality and production planning teams
- Help resolve technical issues and disposition non-conforming material
Safety and 5S
- Follow all company safety policies, OSHA regulations and PPE requirements
- Maintain work areas in accordance with 5S standards
- Participate in shop floor organization and improvement activities
- Identify and report unsafe conditions, near misses and equipment malfunctions to supervision immediately
Education and Experience
- High school diploma or GED required
- Completion of a formal apprenticeship program, trade school or associate degree in machining technology strongly preferred
- Minimum of 5 years of hands-on machining experience
- At least 2 years in a senior, lead or setup machinist capacity
- Demonstrated experience operating CNC vertical milling machines, press brakes and plasma cutting equipment in a production environment
Technical Skills
- Proficient in G-code and M-code programming
- Experience with conversational CNC controls, including Fanuc, Haas, Mazak or equivalent systems
- Strong ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, blueprints and work order documentation
- Proficient with precision measurement instruments, including micrometers, calipers, height gauges, protractors and angle finders
- Working knowledge of material properties and machinability of common metals and alloys
- Familiarity with CAM software such as Mastercam, Fusion 360 or equivalent is a plus
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Strong problem-solving skills
- Ability to identify root cause and implement corrective action for machining and forming defects
- Detail-oriented approach with a commitment to producing high-quality work within specified tolerances
- Ability to work independently and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced production environment
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to document work clearly and accurately
- Professional, team-oriented attitude
- Willingness to mentor and develop others
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand, walk and work on concrete floors for extended periods, up to 10 hours per shift
- Frequently lift and/or move materials, tooling and fixtures weighing up to 50 lbs.
- Occasionally lift greater weights with mechanical assistance or team lift
- Manual dexterity required for precision hand tool use and machine operation
- Exposure to machine noise, coolant fluids, cutting oils, metal dust and UV/IR radiation from plasma cutting operations
- Ability to wear appropriate PPE as required
- Ability to read measuring instruments, engineering drawings and CNC displays
- Color distinction may be required
Work Environment
Work is performed in a manufacturing shop environment. Conditions include exposure to noise, metal particulate, coolants, lubricants and heat generated by cutting operations. Proper PPE, including safety glasses, hearing protection, steel-toed footwear and cut-resistant gloves, is mandatory at all times on the shop floor.
Authorization
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
About STS Technical Services
STS Technical Services is a Top 100 Staffing Firm that partners with leading organizations across aerospace, defense, manufacturing and industrial sectors. Our recruiting teams connect skilled trades and technical professionals with opportunities that require precision, accountability and hands-on expertise.
If you are ready to apply your senior machining experience in West Point, Mississippi, apply today.
STS Technical Services is an equal opportunity employer.
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