Machine Shop Technician

Job Title: Manufacturing Technician / Machine Shop Specialist

Job Description

This hands-on role supports manufacturing, repair, fabrication, and assembly operations for aerospace and defense products. You will operate a variety of manual machine shop equipment, fabricate components, perform measurements and inspections, and ensure all work meets strict quality and safety standards. The position is ideal for someone with strong mechanical aptitude, proven experience in a manufacturing or machine shop environment, and the ability to work confidently from technical drawings and specifications.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate manual shop equipment, including table saws, drill presses, brake presses, bench and pedestal grinders, band saws, shears, and other fabrication equipment.

• Perform cutting, drilling, grinding, forming, deburring, and finishing operations on a variety of materials and components.

• Read and interpret blueprints, engineering drawings, manufacturing specifications, and work instructions to complete jobs accurately.

• Inspect finished products and components to verify compliance with dimensional, quality, and customer requirements.

• Use precision measuring instruments such as calipers, micrometers, tape measures, depth gauges, and other inspection equipment to perform accurate measurements.

• Carry out assembly, modification, and repair work on aerospace and defense products as required.

• Maintain accurate production, inspection, and quality documentation in accordance with established procedures and standards, including AS9100 requirements.

• Identify, report, and help resolve quality, tooling, or equipment issues to prevent defects and downtime.

• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area, following all company safety procedures and housekeeping standards.

• Adhere to all quality standards and inspection processes to ensure products meet close-tolerance precision manufacturing requirements.

• Collaborate with engineering and other team members to support manufacturing projects and continuous improvement efforts.

• Safely use hand tools and power tools while following all safety guidelines.

• Lift materials and components up to 50 pounds and work on your feet throughout the shift.

Essential Skills

• High school diploma or GED.

• At least 2 years of experience in a manufacturing, machine shop, fabrication, maintenance, or industrial production environment.

• Hands-on experience operating manual fabrication and shop equipment such as table saws, drill presses, brake presses, grinders, band saws, and shears.

• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and work instructions.

• Proficiency using precision measuring instruments including calipers, micrometers, tape measures, depth gauges, and other inspection tools.

• Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to troubleshoot basic fabrication and assembly issues.

• High level of attention to detail and accuracy in fabrication, assembly, and inspection tasks.

• Ability to safely use hand tools and power tools in a production environment.

• Physical ability to lift up to 50 pounds and remain on your feet for the duration of the shift.

• Demonstrated safety awareness and commitment to following safety procedures.

• Effective teamwork and communication skills to work closely with engineering and shop personnel.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace, aviation, defense, or industrial manufacturing environments.

• Experience in sheet metal fabrication, assembly, or repair operations.

• Familiarity with quality systems and inspection processes, including AS9100 and related standards.

• Vocational or technical school training in manufacturing, machining, fabrication, or related disciplines.

• Exposure to structured manufacturing or continuous improvement practices.

• Strong blueprint reading skills and ability to work with close-tolerance precision requirements.

• Problem-solving skills to identify root causes of quality or equipment issues and support corrective actions.

• Quality-focused mindset with an emphasis on producing dependable, conforming products.

• Ability to work effectively in a small team setting and collaborate across functions.

• Reliability and flexibility to support occasional additional hours as needed.

Why Work Here?

You will join a team that is deeply committed to uncompromising quality and precision in aerospace manufacturing. Every item produced is carefully inspected, with all equipment continually calibrated to ensure testing accuracy and full traceability. The organization values hands-on expertise, close-tolerance work, and adherence to recognized military and international standards, creating an environment where craftsmanship and attention to detail are highly respected. You benefit from working with experienced professionals, robust quality processes, and a culture that prioritizes exceptional product reliability and continuous improvement.

Work Environment

You will work in a close-knit team of about 10 employees and collaborate directly with the engineering group in a machine shop and fabrication environment focused on aerospace and defense products. The role involves daily use of manual shop equipment such as table saws, drill presses, brake presses, grinders, band saws, shears, and precision inspection tools including calipers, micrometers, tape measures, and depth gauges. The standard schedule is Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with occasional additional hours as needed to meet production demands. The facility emphasizes cleanliness, organization, and safety, with well-defined quality and inspection procedures and calibrated equipment to support high-accuracy work.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Piedmont, SC.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $28.00 - $38.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Piedmont,SC.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 14, 2026.

About Aerotek

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.