Description
The Machine Shop Supervisor will oversee all machining operations at a large-scale electric motor repair facility with 60 total employees at full capacity. This hands-on supervisory role is responsible for leading a team of machinists, managing precision machining work on motor components, maintaining equipment, ensuring quality standards, and meeting production schedules for shaft repair, housing machining, and related operations critical to motor repair.
Pending Start Date: December 2026
Key Responsibilities:
Team Leadership & Supervision
Directly supervise 5-10 machinists, including journeyman machinists, CNC operators, and apprentices
Assign daily work orders and prioritize jobs based on production schedule and urgency
Train and develop machinists in motor repair-specific machining techniques
Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching
Manage attendance, scheduling, and overtime for the machine shop
Mentor apprentice machinists through structured skill development
Foster a culture of precision, quality craftsmanship, and continuous improvement
Machining Operations Management
Shaft Machining & Repair:
Oversee shaft turning, grinding, and straightening operations
Direct shaft repair including metal spraying (thermal spray, flame spray, arc spray)
Manage shaft installation and machining
Coordinate shaft chrome plating and precision grinding
Ensure proper bearing journal dimensions and surface finish
Oversee keyway cutting, milling, and repair operations
Housing & Frame Machining:
Manage bearing housing boring and line boring operations
Oversee endbell machining and bore diameter corrections
Direct housing face machining for proper alignment
Coordinate bolt hole drilling and tapping
Manage housing bushing installation and machining
Component Fabrication:
Oversee manufacturing of custom motor components (spacers, brackets, adapters)
Direct fabrication of specialized tooling and fixtures
Manage fan machining and balancing
Coordinate pulley and coupling machining
Precision Work:
Ensure proper tolerances for bearing fits (typically +0.0000/-0.0005")
Verify shaft runout specifications (typically 0.001-0.002" TIR)
Monitor surface finish requirements for bearing journals (16-32 micro-inch)
Oversee alignment and concentricity requirements
Quality Assurance:
Inspect machined components to ensure dimensional accuracy and surface finish
Verify tolerances using precision measuring instruments:
Micrometers, dial indicators, bore gauges
Height gauges, depth gauges, thread gauges
Optical comparators and CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machine) when available
Review blueprints and specifications before machining operations
Approve first-piece inspections on critical operations
Investigate machining defects and implement corrective actions
Ensure proper documentation of all machining work
Maintain calibration schedules for precision measuring equipment
Monitor scrap rate and rework requirements
Equipment & Facility Management:
Oversee operation and maintenance of machine shop equipment including:
Engine lathes and CNC lathes (various sizes for different shaft diameters)
Vertical and horizontal machines
Drill presses and radial arm drills
Surface grinders and cylindrical grinders
Boring mills and line boring equipment
Metal spraying equipment (arc spray, flame spray)
Shaft straightening press
Welding equipment (for shaft buildup)
Band saws and cut-off equipment
Balancing machines
Coordinate preventive maintenance schedules
Manage tooling inventory (cutting tools, inserts, drill bits, end mills, boring bars)
Select and procure cutting tools and machining supplies
Ensure proper coolant maintenance and chip removal systems
Identify needs for equipment upgrades or replacement
Maintain shop cleanliness and organization (5S methodology)
Production Planning & Coordination:
Work with Production Manager to meet departmental delivery commitments
Estimate machining time for job quotes and scheduling
Prioritize work based on critical path and customer requirements
Coordinate with other departments:
Disassembly (receiving damaged components)
Winding (shaft straightness requirements)
Assembly (component availability)
Testing (final dimensional verification)
Manage outside machining services
Track work-in-progress and bottlenecks
Communicate delays or technical issues promptly
Safety & Compliance:
Enforce machine shop safety protocols and OSHA regulations
Ensure proper machine guarding and safety devices are functional
Require use of appropriate PPE (safety glasses, hearing protection, steel-toed boots)
Monitor safe operation of overhead cranes and lifting equipment
Ensure proper handling of heavy components (shafts, housings, armatures)
Conduct regular safety inspections and toolbox talks
Investigate accidents and near-misses; implement preventive measures
Ensure proper chip and coolant handling procedures
Maintain clean floors free of oil, coolant, and metal chips
Ensure proper ventilation for metal spraying and welding operations
Manage hazardous waste disposal (cutting fluids, oils, metal shavings)
Technical Problem-Solving:
Troubleshoot complex machining challenges
Determine repair feasibility for damaged components
Recommend repair vs. replacement decisions
Design custom fixtures and work-holding solutions
Collaborate with engineers on non-standard repairs
Provide technical expertise on material properties and machining methods
Interface with customers on technical machining questions
Documentation & Communication:
Maintain accurate machining records and inspection reports
Document non-standard repairs and special procedures
Create and update machining process sheets
Report daily production metrics to Production Manager
Communicate job status and technical issues
Update production schedule with actual completion times
Maintain drawing files and specification documents
Requirements
Education & Experience
High school diploma or equivalent; technical school or apprenticeship program preferred
Minimum 7-10 years of hands-on machining experience
At least 5 years in motor repair or heavy industrial machining environment
Minimum 3-5 years in supervisory or lead machinist position
Journeyman machinist certification or equivalent experience
Background in precision machining and tight tolerance work
Technical Expertise
Essential Machining Skills:
Expert-level proficiency in manual lathe operation for shaft turning
Grinding experience for precision bearing journals
Boring operations for bearing housings
Blueprint reading and geometric dimensioning & tolerancing (GD&T)
Understanding of feeds, speeds, and cutting tool selection
Knowledge of various materials (carbon steel, stainless, bronze, cast iron)
Our Benefits!
#1 CULTURE!!!
Fun, Family-Oriented Work Environment!
Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits that begin on your 1st day of work!
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
Company Paid Life, Dependent Life, Short- & Long-Term Disability Insurance
11 Paid Holidays per year
Vacation & Personal Time
Employer HSA Contribution
Company Paid Bereavement Time
Company Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave
Gym Reimbursement
Are you an underappreciated, hard worker? Come see why AHP was voted a Nationally Certified "Great Place to Work"!
AHP is an Equal Opportunity Employer