Manual Machinist Jobs
Manual Machinist jobs are open across aerospace, defense, industrial manufacturing, and job shops, from entry-level apprentice to lead and master machinist, with specializations in CNC setup, tool and die work, and precision lathe operation. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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We are seeking a Machinist to join our team! You will operate a variety of machines and mechanical instruments.
Responsibilities:
- Operate machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments
- Modify parts and materials to improve overall production
- Test completed parts to detect and remove defects
- Perform routine maintenance on machinery
- Calculate dimensions and tolerance using measuring instruments
Qualifications:
- Previous experience in machinery or other related fields
- Familiarity with machine tools and equipment
- Strong attention to detail
We are a small christian-based company machining, welding & fabricating with about 12 employees. If you like, give us a call and set up a time when you can come by and show what you are capable of. Thanks and God Bless
(252) 465-4711
Job Type: Full-time
Work Location: In person
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Find Manual Machinist JobsManual Machinist Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in manual machinist jobs.
- Ability to read and interpret blueprints, GD&T callouts, and engineering drawings
- Proficiency operating manual mills, lathes, and surface grinders to close tolerances
- 2–5 years of hands-on manual machining experience in a production or job shop environment
- Skill with precision measuring instruments including micrometers, calipers, and dial indicators
- High school diploma or equivalent, with vocational training or an apprenticeship preferred
- Familiarity with speeds, feeds, and cutting tool selection for ferrous and non-ferrous materials
Tips for Your Manual Machinist Job Search
List every machine you've operated
Hiring managers scan resumes for specific equipment: Bridgeport mills, engine lathes, surface grinders, and jig borers. List the make, model type, and tightest tolerance you've held on each machine. Vague entries like 'manual lathe experience' get passed over for resumes with real specs.
Show your tolerances in writing
Put your tightest repeatable tolerance directly on your resume, in a summary line or a skills section. Employers hiring for precision work filter candidates by this number before they read anything else. If you've held plus or minus one-thousandth consistently, say so.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists manual machinist openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings that match your material experience
Job listings for manual machinists often specify materials: aluminum, hardened steel, titanium, Inconel. If you've worked primarily in one material family, filter for those openings first. Matching your background to the shop's material focus makes your application immediately relevant to the hiring manager.
Prepare for a hands-on trade test
Many shops skip a formal interview and go straight to a floor test: they hand you a print and ask you to set up and cut a part. Practice reading GD&T callouts cold and verbalizing your setup steps out loud, since shops want to hear your thought process as much as see your cuts.
Negotiate based on your setup versatility
Manual machinists who can set up multiple machine types, such as mills, lathes, and surface grinders, have real leverage when negotiating. If you can run a full job from raw stock to finished dimension without handoffs, make that explicit when the offer conversation starts.
Manual Machinist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most manual machinists?
The companies hiring the most manual machinists right now include Electron Energy, RENK, and Fives, with the largest share of openings in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Texas, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Aerospace, defense contractors, and precision job shops consistently make up the largest share of active postings.
How many manual machinist jobs are remote?
About 0% of manual machinist openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most machining roles. The small share of remote or flexible work tends to appear in quality inspection, programming support, or technical training positions attached to machining operations rather than direct floor work.
How do you become a manual machinist?
Most manual machinists enter the trade through a formal apprenticeship, a vocational or community college machining program, or by starting as a shop helper and learning on the floor. Building proficiency on a manual lathe and mill first is standard before moving to tighter tolerance work. Earning credentials from the National Institute for Metalworking Skills strengthens your resume once you have floor experience.
Can you get hired as a manual machinist with little experience?
Yes, entry-level manual machinist positions exist, particularly at job shops and production facilities that run structured apprenticeship programs. Employers hiring at this level prioritize mechanical aptitude, the ability to read a basic print, and a willingness to learn safe machine operation. Completing a vocational machining course before applying gives you a measurable edge over candidates with no formal training.
What does the manual machinist interview process look like?
Most shops conduct a brief phone or in-person conversation about your machine experience and material background, then move quickly to a floor evaluation. You may be asked to read a blueprint, identify measurement tools, or complete a short setup and cutting exercise on a mill or lathe. Shops hiring for precision work often ask you to walk through your setup logic out loud before you make a cut.
Where can I find and apply to manual machinist jobs?
You can find and apply to manual machinist jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. Search for roles that match your machine experience and tolerance background, then apply directly to each listing that fits your skills and location.
See All 36 Manual Machinist Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Manual Machinist Jobs