Manual Machinist - Lathe Operator

Come roll with us at Hannecard, where 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 role offers hands-on production work turning, grinding, and polishing rollers for finishing and/or pre-thermal-spray prep, working side by side with our Production team to sharpen a genuine trade skill and build toward greater ownership of the work that comes across your machine.

About the role

This Manual Machinist / Lathe Operator position works across both our Finishing and Thermal Spray Prep departments, allowing you to build a broader, more versatile skill set than a single-department role — and giving 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. As a Manual Machinist, your work is a critical link in that chain. 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 applied on top of your work.

Responsibilities

• Operate manual lathes, 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 Finishing and Thermal Spray Prep departments as production needs shift.
• 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.
• Maintain your machine, tooling, and work area in safe, productive running order, following machine guarding and shop safety procedures.
• Communicate job status and any quality concerns clearly to your supervisor and 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, with opportunities to build real depth across turning, grinding, and polishing — including larger and more complex rollers, tighter-tolerance jobs, and versatility across both Finishing and Thermal Spray Prep. As your skills develop, there's room to take on training responsibilities for newer machinists and 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.

Requirements

• 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 ideal (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.

Benefits

• Day shift
• Competitive benefits package
• Direct mentorship from experienced working supervisors
• Real in-house advancement opportunities