Precision Manual Machinist — Fluid Film Bearings & Seals

Step onto the shop floor in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, and put your craft to work where it matters. At Pioneer Motor Bearing Company—a fourth-generation family business—you’ll help keep our military mission‑ready and America’s power grid reliable. Our PMB Machine Works division supports defense and aerospace with precision‑machined components, while Pioneer delivers bearing engineering, manufacturing, and repair for large rotating equipment in power generation.

What your day looks like Receive a blueprint or model, map out the setup, and choose the right tools to machine fluid film bearings, seals, and contract components to exacting tolerances.

Run mills, lathes, drill presses, grinders, jig bores, and other manual equipment; make minor equipment adjustments and repairs as needed.

Hold tight tolerances using precision gauges (micrometers, vernier calipers, dial indicators, surface gauges, etc.).Apply solid math and geometry to calculate fits, clearances, and dimensions.

Keep your area organized and hazard‑free while maintaining quality and throughput.

What you’ll work on Machining and re‑manufacturing of fluid film bearings and seals, plus custom contract machining for critical industries.

Tools and tech you may encounter

Manual Grinder, Manual Lathe, Manual Vertical Mill Vertical Lathe (e.g., Bullard VTL)
OD/ Machines Okuma, Hyundai, Fanuc‑controlled equipment

What you bring

Technical trade school/community college credential; or 2+ years of relevant machining experience; or an equivalent blend of education and hands‑on work.

Ability to read and interpret complex technical drawings, procedures, and company/customer/government specifications and regulations.

Clear communication skills to collaborate with supervisors and teammates.

Comfort with applied math: proportions, percentages, area, circumference, volume, algebra, and geometry.

Working knowledge of machining operations (turning, drilling, milling, abrasive processes), surface finishes, tolerances, and cutting fluids.

Familiarity with steels, non‑ferrous metals, and common engineering alloys.

Military experience is a plus.

Compensation & schedule

Day Shift (Tue–Fri, 10 hrs): $22.00–$32.00/hour2nd Shift (Mon–Thu, 10 hrs): $26.00–$35.00/hour Weekend Shift (Fri–Mon, 10 hrs): $28.00–$35.00/hour

Overtime

All overtime hours are paid at 2x pay. Vacation and holiday hours count toward the calculation of overtime hours.

Benefits & well‑being

Three medical plan options;
Pioneer pays 95% of employee premiums and contributes significantly for dependents.

Health Savings Account with company contributions: $2,000 individual / $4,000 dependent plans;
Flexible Spending Accounts available.

Supplemental Revive membership: zero‑cost access to 1,000+ generic meds, free primary‑care telehealth, mental health support, wellness coaching, and access to discounted GLP‑1 weight‑loss medications.

Dental, vision, life, disability, and 401(k) with safe‑harbor match, plus additional ancillary benefits.

Time away
2.5 weeks vacation for new hires; 3 weeks after 3 years, scaling up to 6 weeks with tenure.

Our culture

We’re a dynamic, service‑oriented shop where teamwork and communication drive results. We hire for character, skills, and a growth mindset—and we invest in people who invest in their craft. If you take pride in precision machining and want to be valued for it, we want to meet you.

We’re aiming high: if you’re not quite at the required experience yet, this might not be the right fit—for now.

Ready to apply?

If you want to work in a shop that truly values you, apply today.