Precision Manual Machinist — Vertical Boring & Turning

Are you the machinist who thrives on big iron and tighter-than-tight tolerances?

Do you read a blueprint and instantly see the setup? Can you hold 0.0005 in. on a 10-foot shaft with a steady rest? If running a VTL or dialing in an HBM sounds like a great day at work, Hydro, Inc.—Chicago’s global pump engineering leader and the world’s largest independent pump rebuilder since 1969—wants to meet you.

The mission

Restore and manufacture precision parts that keep industrial pumps performing at their best. Your craftsmanship will help customers avoid downtime and extend equipment life.

You will

• Set up and manually machine custom pump components in a job shop setting.
• Produce impellers, wear rings, bearing housings, covers, and seals to exact specs.
• Turn, bore, and grind using VTLs, manual lathes, horizontal/vertical boring mills, and ID/OD grinders.
• Decode drawings/blueprints/sketches into efficient sequences and setups.
• Measure critical features with precision instruments and record accurate numerical data.
• Continuously refine procedures for better throughput and quality.
• Maintain machines, tooling, and a clean, safe work area; follow Hydro’s shop safety procedures.
• Team up with engineers, shop personnel, and fellow machinists to troubleshoot and improve outcomes.

You have

• 5+ years post-training machining LARGE PARTS on manual machines in an industrial environment.
• Technical/vocational machining education (Journeyman preferred) and a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Fluent shop math and geometry (angles, radii, bolt circles, complex dimensions).
• Deep understanding of feeds and the impact of adjustments.
• Proficiency setting up jigs, fixtures, arbors, mandrels, centers, and clamps.
• Capability to machine 3–10 ft pump shafts using a steady rest while maintaining 0.0005 in. tolerance or better.
• Exceptional attention to detail, manual dexterity, and superb control precision.

Pay, perks, and schedule

• Compensation: $28.00–$35.00 per hour, based on experience.
• Sign-on: $8,000 for machinists operating VTL and Horizontal Boring Mill equipment.
• Benefits: 401(k) with match, medical, dental, vision, HSA, life insurance, paid time off, referral program.
• Job Type: Full-time; 40 hours/week.
• Schedule: 8-hour shifts, Monday–Friday; overtime available; differential pay; Night Shift preferred.
• Work Location: In person, Chicago, IL 60607; commute required or relocate before start.
• Environment: Clean shop, employee-focused culture, free onsite parking.

Take your craft further

Bring your skill to a place where precision matters and your experience is valued. Join us in the West Loop and help rebuild what keeps industry running.