The Senior Machinist/Fabricator is expected to operate with a high degree of independence and technical ownership. This person should be capable of receiving a drawing or manufacturing requirement, evaluating how the component should be produced, selecting the appropriate equipment and tooling, completing the work, inspecting the finished component, and resolving routine manufacturing issues without continuous supervision.

JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Set up, program, and operate CNC and manual machine tools to manufacture precision components from engineering drawings, CAD models, sketches, and specifications.
• Independently determine machining sequences, tooling, workholding, speeds, feeds, and appropriate manufacturing methods.
• Machine parts to specified dimensions and tolerances using CNC mills, CNC lathes, manual mills, manual lathes, grinders, saws, and related equipment.
• Perform fabrication operations including cutting, forming, drilling, grinding, fitting, and assembly of fabricated components.
• Perform MIG and TIG welding when required and prepare components for welding and final assembly.
• Calculate dimensions, tolerances, offsets, and machining requirements.
• Inspect completed components using micrometers, calipers, indicators, gauges, and other precision measuring equipment.
• Verify manufactured components conform to engineering drawings, specifications, tolerances, and quality requirements.
• Identify drawing, tolerance, manufacturability, or material issues before they result in scrap, rework, or schedule impact.
• Troubleshoot machining, tooling, equipment, fabrication, and dimensional problems and implement practical corrective actions.
• Modify or repair existing components and equipment when replacement parts are unavailable or impractical.
• Support prototype and one-off component manufacturing common to custom automation projects.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Project Management, Assembly, and other shop personnel to resolve manufacturing questions and maintain project schedules.
• Provide manufacturability feedback to Engineering when alternative machining or fabrication methods could improve quality, lead time, or cost.
• Maintain organized tooling, fixtures, work areas, and machining equipment.
• Perform routine equipment inspections and identify maintenance or repair requirements.
• Follow company safety procedures and appropriate machine guarding, PPE, lockout/tagout, and safe-work practices.
• Assist with training and technical development of junior machinists, fabricators, technicians, and other shop personnel.
• Support shop workload priorities and assist leadership in determining efficient approaches for complex machining or fabrication work.
• Work overtime as required to support project and customer schedules.
• Travel between Adaptec Solutions' Rochester and Painted Post facilities when business needs require.

EQUIPMENT & MANUFACTURING CAPABILITIES

The Senior Machinist/Fabricator may operate and/or support equipment including:

Candidates are not necessarily expected to be experts on every listed machine, but should have sufficient machining and fabrication experience to become proficient across Adaptec's equipment.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or GED, required. Technical or vocational education in machining, CNC technology, manufacturing, welding, mechanical technology, or a related discipline, preferred.
• 5+ years of progressively responsible machining and/or metal fabrication experience.

• Demonstrated experience programming, setting up and operating CNC machining equipment.
• Experience with manual mills, lathes, and common fabrication equipment.
• Strong understanding of machining principles, tooling, workholding, materials, feeds and speeds, and manufacturing tolerances.
• Ability to independently read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T information, technical specifications, and manufacturing documentation.
• Proficiency using precision measuring instruments including micrometers, calipers, indicators, and gauges.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting ability.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations associated with machining, layout, tolerances, and fabrication.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining quality and schedule commitments.
• Strong attention to detail and critical thinking.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a cross-functional team.
• Ability to communicate technical issues clearly with Engineering, Operations, Project Management, and other shop personnel. 
• Manual Machining: Manual mills, manual lathes, surface grinders, and associated tooling and inspection equipment.
• MIG and TIG welding experience (Level: intermediate)
• OMAX waterjet experience. (Level: intermediate?expert)
• CAD/CAM software experience. (Level: intermediate?expert)
• HAAS CNC and/or Fanuc CNC experience. (Level: intermediate?expert)
• CNC Equipment: Fanuc Robodrill OX-D2, HAAS ST-20 CNC Lathe, HAAS VF-4 Vertical Machining Center, and OMAX Waterjet.
• Fabrication Equipment: AccuPress Hydraulic Press Brake, AccurShear Hydraulic Shear, Piranha Ironworker, horizontal and vertical bandsaws, drill presses, grinders, and belt sanders.

SENIOR-LEVEL EXPECTATIONS

• Serve as a technical resource and mentor for other shop personnel.
• Help establish machining and fabrication best practices.
• Recognize manufacturability problems before production begins.
• Reduce scrap and rework through proper planning and inspection.
• Assist with complex or high-risk components.
• Support continuous improvement of machining and fabrication processes.
• Help develop tooling, fixtures, setups, and repeatable manufacturing methods.
• Demonstrate a strong sense of urgency while maintaining safety and quality.
• Escalate technical, quality, material, or schedule risks to leadership early.
• Take ownership of work from initial assignment through completed and inspected component.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The employee must be able to perform the physical activities associated with machining and fabrication, including standing, walking, bending, reaching, kneeling, climbing, handling tools and materials, and performing repetitive hand and wrist movements. The position requires the ability to occasionally exert up to 40 pounds of force and requires close visual and mental attention when controlling machinery and manufacturing processes.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

A successful Senior Machinist/Fabricator consistently produces safe, accurate, high-quality work while minimizing scrap, rework, and unnecessary machine time. The individual becomes a trusted shop resource for difficult machining and fabrication problems and helps bridge the practical manufacturing relationship between Engineering and Operations.

Within the first year, this person should demonstrate the ability to independently take complex parts from drawing through setup/programming, machining/fabrication, inspection, and completed component while also raising the technical capability of the surrounding shop team.