Fabrication Specialist & Machinist

This role is responsible for supporting manufacturing, maintenance and engineering operations through manual machining, fabrication, welding, equipment modification and custom part creation in a GMP regulated facility. The role utilizes manual lathes, milling machines, drills, welding equipment and precision measurement tools to design, fabricate, repair and modify machine components, tooling, fixtures, and manufacturing equipment. The role serves as a technical resource to Production Maintenance by evaluating equipment related challenges, identifying practical solutions and producing custom parts or modifications that improve equipment reliability, functionality, and operational efficiency.

This role requires advanced manual machining skills, strong mechanical aptitude, critical thinking and the ability to independently determine machining methods, materials, tolerances and fabrication approaches for custom and repair-based work.

• Perform manual machining and fabrication work using manual lathes, mills, drills, grinders, saws, welding equipment, and other machine shop tools to support manufacturing, maintenance, and engineering operations.
• Design, fabricate, repair, modify, and rebuild machine parts, tooling, fixtures, brackets, guards, change parts, and other custom components using blueprints, drawings, sketches, samples, measurements, or verbal direction.
• Evaluate equipment and process-related challenges presented by Maintenance, Production, and Engineering personnel and determine practical machining or fabrication solutions.
• Troubleshoot mechanical issues and support equipment repairs, modifications, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Analyze damaged or worn components and reverse-engineer replacement parts when drawings or specifications are unavailable.
• Select appropriate materials, machining methods, tooling, tolerances, and fabrication techniques to produce functional and durable solutions.
• Operate precision measuring instruments including calipers, micrometers, gauges, scales, indicators, and related inspection equipment to verify dimensional accuracy.
• Confer with Engineering, Maintenance, Production, Quality, and management personnel to identify equipment improvement opportunities and support engineering projects.
• Recommend and assist with implementation of modifications that improve equipment reliability, safety, efficiency, and maintainability.
• Assist Engineering with equipment design concepts, manufacturing layouts, tooling design, and process improvements.
• Assist with installation, startup, modification, relocation, and validation support of manufacturing equipment as needed.
• Maintain machine shop tooling, spare parts inventory, materials, and equipment necessary to support site operations.
• Train Maintenance and Production employees on the safe use, maintenance, and cleaning of machine shop equipment and fabricated tools, as assigned.
• Maintain training records and required documentation in accordance with FDA, cGMP, SOP, and departmental requirements.
• Establish and maintain records demonstrating compliance with applicable FDA, cGMP, and company standards.
• Maintain machine shop and work areas in compliance with 5S, safety, and housekeeping expectations.
• Participate in required hazardous waste training and comply with hazardous waste management, handling, inspection, transfer, and spill response procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Advanced knowledge of manual machining principles and practices.
• Demonstrated proficiency operating manual lathes, milling machines, drill presses, grinders, saws, and related machine shop equipment.
• Strong manual fabrication and welding skills.
• Ability to fabricate, repair, modify, or reverse-engineer parts from drawings, samples, sketches, measurements, or verbal descriptions.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to diagnose equipment and component issues.
• Ability to independently evaluate problems and develop practical machining and fabrication solutions.
• Ability to determine appropriate materials, machining methods, tooling requirements, tolerances, and sequences of operation.
• Ability to read, interpret, and create blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, sketches, and fabrication documentation.
• Proficiency using precision measuring equipment including calipers, micrometers, indicators, gauges, scales, and related inspection tools.
• Experience with TIG, MIG, and stick welding techniques.
• Ability to troubleshoot, diagnose, repair, and improve manufacturing and support equipment.
• Ability to communicate effectively with Maintenance, Production, Engineering, Quality, contractors, and vendors.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and competing requests.
• Basic computer proficiency including Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and frequently squat, kneel, bend, climb, and perform physically demanding…