Job Description

NOW HIRING: 1st Shift Manual Machinist

American Crane & Equipment Corporation · Douglassville, PA

Department: Manufacturing | 1st Shift: Monday–Friday, 5:00 AM–1:30 PM

Full-Time | On-Site | Non-Exempt | Up to $34/hour

531 Old Swede Road, Douglassville, PA 19518

What This Role Really Is

This is a hands-on machining position in a shop that builds custom, low-volume components for overhead cranes and hoists — not a production line cranking out the same part a thousand times a shift. You’ll set up, operate, and own the output of manual and CNC machines, working from blueprints on parts that actually matter.

The work here demands real skill: reading prints, understanding steel properties, applying trig and geometry to get tolerances right, and knowing when a cut looks wrong before the measuring tools confirm it. You’re making precision components that go into lifting equipment rated for critical loads — there’s no room for “close enough.”

If you’re the kind of machinist who takes pride in holding tight tolerances and wants variety in your work instead of repetitive mass production, this is the shop for you.

What You’ll Do

Machining & Operations

• Operate manual machines — lathes, horizontal boring mills, drill presses, and milling machines — to produce precision components
• Apply advanced knowledge of steel properties and material characteristics to select appropriate feeds, speeds, and tooling
• Use trigonometry and geometry to calculate dimensions, angles, and tolerances for complex machining tasks
• Operate CNC machines and create jigs or sharpen tools as needed to support manufacturing operations

Blueprints & Precision Measurement

• Read and interpret engineering blueprints to extract machining requirements, dimensions, and tolerances
• Use precision measuring tools — micrometers, calipers, bore gauges, height gauges — to verify parts meet specifications
• Identify and flag discrepancies between prints and finished components before they leave your station

Quality, Safety & Shop Maintenance

• Estimate job timelines and manage your queue efficiently while maintaining quality standards
• Keep machines properly maintained, tooling organized, and your workspace clean and safe
• Follow all safety protocols — including lockout/tagout, PPE requirements, and safe machine operation practices
• Collaborate with team members and leadership to meet production goals without cutting corners

Who Thrives Here

This shop rewards machinists who think before they cut and take ownership of every part that leaves their machine. The work is varied — you’ll go from a one-off shaft to a batch of custom brackets in the same week — and that variety keeps things interesting if you have the range to handle it.

You’ll do well here if you:

• Can read a blueprint and visualize the setup before you touch the machine
• Know the difference between “good enough” and “in spec” — and won’t accept the first one
• Prefer custom, low-volume work over running the same part all day
• Keep your workspace organized because you know a messy bench leads to bad parts
• Take pride in precision and treat every cut like your name is stamped on the finished piece

This probably isn’t the right fit if:

• You need someone standing over your shoulder to maintain quality
• You’re only comfortable with CNC and haven’t run manual machines
• You prefer high-volume, repetitive production work

What We’re Looking For

Required

• High school diploma or GED
• Proficient knowledge of machine shop procedures and steel properties
• Strong blueprint interpretation and precision measuring skills
• Ability to apply trigonometry and geometry to machining tasks
• Ability to operate manual machines: lathes, horizontal boring mills, drill presses, and milling machines

Preferred

• 3+ years of experience operating lathes, horizontal boring mills, drill presses, and milling machines
• Vocational training or a Machinist/Journeyman Certificate
• Familiarity with CNC machine operations

What Success Looks Like 

First 30 Days — Learn the Shop

• Complete company onboarding, safety orientation, and shop tour
• Get familiar with the machines, tooling, materials, and job-tracking systems used in the shop
• Meet your team — fellow machinists, shop leadership, quality, and engineering contacts
• Run supervised setups and jobs to demonstrate your manual machining fundamentals
• Understand how blueprints, work orders, and quality checks flow through the shop

Days 31–60 — Start Producing

• Set up and run jobs independently on manual machines with consistent quality output
• Demonstrate reliable precision measurement and self-inspection habits
• Begin working with CNC machines if applicable to your skill set
• Manage your job queue and estimate timelines accurately
• Build working relationships with engineering and quality for print clarifications

Days 61+ — Own Your Output

• Produce parts across the full range of manual machines with minimal supervision
• Consistently meet quality standards — your parts pass inspection without rework
• Contribute to shop efficiency — tooling organization, setup time improvements, or process suggestions
• Handle the variety of custom work confidently, from one-offs to short-run batches
• Be recognized by your team as someone who delivers reliable, precision work

Work Environment & Schedule

• On-site at 531 Old Swede Road, Douglassville, PA 19518
• 1st Shift: Monday–Friday, 5:00 AM–1:30 PM with overtime as needed
• Manufacturing shop environment — work near moving mechanical parts and industrial equipment
• Exposure to varying temperatures, noise, and standard shop conditions
• Required compliance with safety procedures and PPE standards

Requirements & Compliance

Employment in this position is contingent upon the ability to meet the following requirements:

• Authorization to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship
• Ability to verify identity and employment authorization in compliance with Form I-9 requirements
• Eligibility to access information or technology governed by U.S. export control laws, including 10 C.F.R. Part 810, EAR, and/or ITAR, where applicable. If government authorization is required for access to controlled technology, employment or start date may be delayed or withdrawn in accordance with applicable law
• Certain positions and projects may require the ability to obtain and maintain unescorted access to nuclear facilities in compliance with NRC regulations (10 C.F.R. Parts 26 & 73)
• Willingness to undergo a background check in accordance with applicable laws
• Willingness to undergo a pre-employment drug screen and randomized drug screening during employment
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds, climb ladders, and work full-time hours including overtime as needed
• Ability to work near moving mechanical parts and in varied environmental conditions
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation

What’s In It for You?

• Competitive hourly pay up to $34/hour based on experience, skills, and market data
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance — available day one
• 401(k) with company match
• Generous paid time off with rollover each year
• 10 paid company-observed holidays
• Tuition reimbursement and technical training opportunities

Ready to Apply?

Apply online through our Career Center

What to Expect From Our Hiring Process

We keep it straightforward and respectful of your time:

• Application review — we actually read them
• Phone screen with our Talent Acquisition team
• In-person interview with Manufacturing leadership — expect hands-on and technical discussion
• Shop walkthrough so you can see the machines and environment firsthand
• Offer and onboarding — typically within 2 weeks of final interview

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and drug screen, subject to applicable laws and regulations.

American Crane & Equipment Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The company maintains and observes employment policies that do not discriminate against any person because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability, age, ancestry and any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. This applies to recruiting, hiring, training, compensation, overtime, job classifications, work assignments, promotions, demotions, layoffs, terminations, transfers, and all other conditions of employment.

This position requires:

• Valid proof of identity and authorization to work in the U.S. (Form I-9)
• Eligibility to access information or technology governed by U.S. export control laws, including 10 C.F.R. Part 810. If government authorization is required for access to controlled technology, employment or start date may be delayed or withdrawn in accordance with applicable law
• Certain positions and projects may require the ability to obtain and maintain unescorted access to nuclear facilities in compliance with NRC regulations (10 C.F.R. Parts 26 & 73)

The pay for this position is dependent on circumstances including an applicant’s skills and qualifications, certain degrees and certifications, prior job experience, market data, and other relevant factors.

American Crane & Equipment Corporation offers a wide array of comprehensive benefit programs and services including medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts to our benefits-eligible employees. Additional benefits include retirement savings plans like 401(k) and paid time off, paid holidays, and disability coverage. Some benefits offerings are subject to any legal requirements or limitations, employee eligibility status, and where the employee lives and/or works.

NOTE: American Crane & Equipment Corporation is not seeking assistance or accepting unsolicited resumes from search firms for employment opportunities, unless they have a written agreement for the position they are contacting us about. Regardless of past practice, all resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at American Crane & Equipment Corporation without a valid written search agreement in place for that position will be deemed the sole property of American Crane & Equipment Corporation, and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by American Crane & Equipment Corporation as a result of the referral or through other means.

Monday through Friday
5:30am-1:30pm
40 hours per week plus OT as needed