OD Grinder Machinist

French® is an ISO-certified, 4th generation family-owned U. S. company that custom designs, manufactures and supports hydraulic press systems for molding rubber and composite materials, screw presses for synthetic rubber processing and for the separation of liquids from solids, and oilseed equipment used to extract vegetable oil from seeds and nuts, and to produce biofuels.

For over 120 years we have partnered with our stakeholders, in over 80 countries worldwide, to provide products with superior value and superior service that improve our customers’ productivity and reduce their overall production costs.

We are seeking an experienced /OD & Surface Grinder Machinist to set up and operate manual cylindrical grinding equipment for precision metal components. This role is best suited for a machinist who understands how to control diameter, bore geometry, taper, roundness, and surface finish through disciplined setup, wheel selection, wheel conditioning, and in‑process inspection. The successful candidate should be comfortable reading blueprints, selecting work holding and tooling, performing first‑piece verification, and troubleshooting grinding issues such as burn, chatter, taper, or out‑of‑round conditions.

• Set up and operate manual cylindrical grinding equipment to complete parts from setup through final inspection.
• Perform OD, , and plunge grinding on shafts, sleeves, bushings, bores, seal diameters, bearing fits, shoulders, and similar cylindrical features.
• Study blueprints, sketches, router instructions, and sample parts to determine dimensions, tolerances, surface‑finish requirements, and machining sequence.
• Select and secure work holding such as centers, chucks, collets, mandrels, or steady‑rest support as required by part geometry.
• Select grinding wheels and related consumables appropriate to the material, tolerance, and finish requirement; support correct wheel mounting, balancing, dressing, and truing practices.
• Adjust feeds, speeds, infeed, spark‑out, coolant application, and wheel condition to maintain size, finish, and process stability.
• Conduct first‑piece and in‑process inspection using micrometers, bore gages, dial indicators, height gages, gage blocks, and other shop inspection equipment.
• Collaborate with quality on approval of first pieces and on correction of nonconformance, taper, chatter, burn, or size drift.
• Maintain safe, clean work areas and assist with routine care of machines, grinding accessories, and fixtures.
• Participate in lean, continuous‑improvement, and process‑correction activities with manufacturing engineering and quality.

• Minimum 5 years of machining experience, with at least 3 years in cylindrical grinding, OD/, or closely related precision grinding work.
• Demonstrated ability to read blueprints, sketches, CAD‑based drawings, and written setup instructions and convert them into an efficient grinding sequence.
• Working knowledge of cylindrical grinding fundamentals, including OD, , and plunge grinding, wheel/workpiece interaction, and the effect of wheel condition on part finish and geometry.
• Working knowledge of grinding wheel basics, including abrasive type, grain size, grade, structure, and bond, plus the purpose of dressing and truing.
• Strong inspection capability with micrometers, bore gages, dial indicators, and other precision measuring tools; comfortable verifying conformance to tight tolerances and finish requirements.
• Experience in a job‑shop or short‑run environment with changeovers, varied parts, and shifting production priorities.

• Trade school, apprenticeship, community‑college machining program, or equivalent structured manufacturing training.
• NIMS credentials or employer‑recognized precision machining certificates.
• Experience grinding hardened materials, bearing fits, seal diameters, or precision shafts requiring controlled finish and geometry.
• Familiarity with in‑process gaging, statistical process control, or documented first‑article methods.
• Experience supporting process improvement, root‑cause analysis, or fixture/setup refinement in collaboration with engineering and quality.

• Work may involve exposure to moving mechanical parts and airborne particles.
• Moderate noise levels typical of a manufacturing setting.
• Frequent standing, walking, climbing stairs, and regular use of hands for tools and materials handling.
• Ability to lift and move weights up to 50 lbs.
• Requires frequent talking and listening during work.
• Reasonable accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities.

French Oil Mill Machinery Co. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status.