Manual Machinist

Manual Machinist – Manufacturing | Fort Madison, Iowa

$34.08 per hour

Put Your Machining Skills to Work. Build a Career That Lasts.

Are you a skilled Manual Machinist who enjoys working with your hands, solving mechanical problems, and producing precision parts?

Silgan Containers is hiring a Manual Machinist in Fort Madison, Iowa. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced machinist or skilled trades professional looking for a stable manufacturing career where precision, craftsmanship, and mechanical expertise are valued.

You’ll work in a hands‑on industrial environment supporting manufacturing operations by machining, repairing, modifying, and fabricating parts and components used to keep production equipment running.

At Silgan, skilled trades professionals are an important part of our success. We offer the stability of an established manufacturing company along with opportunities to build your skills and advance your career.

Our benefits include:

• Competitive starting pay
• Full-time, stable manufacturing employment
• Weekly pay
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Company-paid life insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Tuition reimbursement
• Pension benefits
• Paid holidays and vacation
• Safety footwear allowance
• Opportunities for career growth and advancement
• Strong commitment to employee safety

As a Manual Machinist
, you’ll use conventional machining equipment, precision measuring tools, and mechanical problem‑solving skills to manufacture and repair parts that support our production operation.

Your responsibilities may include:

• Set up and operate manual machine shop equipment
• Operate lathes, mills, drill presses, grinders, and other conventional machining equipment
• Machine, repair, modify, and fabricate mechanical parts and components
• Read and interpret blueprints, drawings, sketches, and technical specifications
• Determine appropriate machining methods, tooling, and procedures
• Perform turning, milling, drilling, boring, grinding, and other manual machining operations
• Use micrometers, calipers, depth gauges, feeler gauges, and other precision measuring instruments
• Measure parts accurately to ensure proper dimensions and tolerances
• Troubleshoot machining and mechanical problems
• Repair and maintain production tooling and machine components
• Assist with equipment repairs and maintenance as needed
• Work closely with maintenance and production teams to minimize equipment downtime
• Maintain quality standards and attention to detail throughout the machining process
• Follow all safety procedures, including lockout/tagout
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe machine shop and work environment

We’re looking for a hands‑on Manual Machinist who takes pride in skilled trades work and understands the importance of precision, quality, and safety.

Your experience may include:

• Manual Machinist
• Industrial Machinist
• Machine Shop Machinist
• Maintenance Machinist
• Toolroom Machinist
• Tool and Die Machinist
• Machine Repair
• Millwright or Mechanical Maintenance

• Previous manual machining experience
• Experience operating conventional lathes and milling machines
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints and mechanical drawings
• Experience using precision measuring tools
• Knowledge of machining practices, tooling, feeds, speeds, and tolerances
• Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills
• Ability to fabricate or repair mechanical components
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Manufacturing, industrial maintenance, machine shop, or mechanical experience preferred
• High school diploma/GED, technical training, or equivalent hands‑on experience preferred

Trade school, machine shop, mechanical maintenance, welding,…