Manual Machinist - Lathe Operator
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Ohio (USA)
Come roll with us
At Hannecard, what we achieve is the sum of countless individual efforts — and we look for people who want to grow with us, not just punch a clock. This Manual Machinist / Lathe Operator role is exactly that kind of opportunity: hands-on production work turning, grinding, and polishing rollers for finishing and/or pre-thermal-spray prep, where you'll work side by side with our Production team, sharpen a genuine trade skill, and build toward greater ownership of the work that comes across your machine. This role works across both our Finishing and Thermal Spray Prep departments, so you'll build a broader, more versatile skill set than a single-department position — and give us the flexibility to place you where the work needs you most.
Why this role matters
Our rollers are built to outperform — customers choose Hannecard because our rollers run longer and help them produce better product, and that reputation is earned on the machine, not just in the lab. As a Manual Machinist, your work is a critical link in that chain, whichever department you're supporting on a given day. Turning, grinding, and polishing a roller to its final finish determines the quality customers see directly; preparing the substrate ahead of thermal spray determines the quality of a coating that's applied on top of your work.
What you'll do
• Operate manual lathes, along with grinding and polishing equipment, to turn, grind, and polish rollers to specification for finishing and/or preparation ahead of thermal spray coating.
• Work across both our Finishing and Thermal Spray Prep departments as production needs shift, rather than being fixed to a single line.
• Read blueprints and work orders to set up jobs, select tooling, and hold required dimensions and tolerances.
• Use micrometers, calipers, and other precision measuring tools to verify diameters, concentricity, and surface finish throughout the job.
• Inspect incoming roller cores and finished work for defects, flagging issues before they move to the next process step.
• Keep your machine, tooling, and work area in safe, productive running order — following our machine guarding and shop safety procedures.
• Communicate job status and any quality concerns clearly to your supervisor and to the next department in line.
How you'll grow
We're hiring for trajectory, not just to fill a shift. You'll report to and be trained by our working supervisors on the floor, and you'll have the chance to build real depth across turning, grinding, and polishing — larger and more complex rollers, tighter-tolerance jobs, and versatility across both Finishing and Thermal Spray Prep that makes you more valuable and harder to replace. As your skills develop, there's room to take on training responsibilities for newer machinists and to grow your pay alongside your capability. Each year we invest a meaningful portion of our budget in developing our people, and we promote from within.
• Comfort reading blueprints and work orders — or a genuine willingness to learn quickly if you're newer to the trade
• Ability to use micrometers, calipers, and standard precision measuring tools accurately
• Manual lathe experience is the ideal background (grinding and polishing experience a plus); motivated entry-level candidates with strong mechanical aptitude will also be considered and trained
• Real attention to detail — rollers that are off-spec cause problems downstream, so precision matters
• Value order and cleanliness in your workspace, and work methodically
• Prioritize safety and precision as non-negotiables, not afterthoughts
• Reliable and comfortable working in a production shop environment
• Ability to stand, lift, and handle roller stock as part of daily work
Who thrives here
Someone who takes pride in precision work and wants to build a real, versatile trade skill, whether that's a machinist early in their career looking to be developed, or an experienced manual lathe operator who wants more ownership over quality and process. You're comfortable moving between departments rather than doing the exact same job every day, and you'd rather build a broad skill set than stay narrow. If you like seeing a raw core become a finished, spec-true roller, you'll do well here.
Remuneration & Working Conditions:
• Base pay: commensurate with experience, with a clear path to increases as your skills and ownership grow
• Day shift
• A competitive benefits package
• Direct mentorship from experienced working supervisors, and real in-house advancement opportunities
Interested in joining our team? Please send your resume to hr.ohio@hannecard.com
Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. Hannecard does not provide visa sponsorship for this position.
