1St Shift Machine Apprentice - Manual Machinist Focus

Lindt & Sprüngli (USA) Inc.; Stratham (NH); On-site; USD 37,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Lindt & Sprüngli (USA) Inc. is seeking an experienced Manual Machinist to fabricate, repair, and modify precision components in an industrial maintenance shop in Stratham, NH.

The role requires reading drawings, operating manual machines, and ensuring parts meet tight tolerances. The ideal candidate will have 3–5 years of hands-on machining experience, strong mechanical aptitude, and proficiency with precision measuring tools.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of hands-on manual machining experience in industrial settings.
• Ability to read blueprints and drawings and machine to close tolerances.
• Proficient with precision metrology tools and gauges.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate manual lathes and milling machines.
• Fabricate, repair, and modify mechanical parts and fixtures.
• Support maintenance by producing parts for repairs and PMs.
• Read blueprints and determine dimensions, tolerances, and materials.
• Measure parts with micrometers, calipers, and gauges; verify accuracy.
• Inspect finished work and troubleshoot worn components.

Skills

Manual machining

Lathes

Milling machines

Blueprints

Measuring tools

Shop math

MS Office

AutoCAD

Teamwork

Communication

Troubleshooting

Education

Associate’s degree

Technical school diploma

Tools

AutoCAD

Job description

Who We Are At Lindt, we are a global fast-growing consumer goods company, enchanting the world with premium chocolate. We are driven by our passion for excellence and go the extra mile ensuring that every Lindt experience is nothing short of exceptional. Our collective efforts are geared towards making a positive impact, not only in the world of premium chocolate but also in the lives of our employees, customers, and communities. Our company embraces a culture defined by the core values of Excellence, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Responsibility, and Collaboration, fostering a dynamic and collaborative environment where these principles drive our success.

Position Purpose: We are seeking an experienced Manual Machinist to support the day-to-day operations of an industrial maintenance shop. This role fabricates, modifies, repairs, and reverse‑engineers precision components that help keep production equipment running safely and reliably. The ideal candidate is a skilled tradesperson with strong manual machining experience, excellent mechanical aptitude, and the ability to work from drawings, sketches, sample parts, or verbal instructions in a fast‑paced maintenance environment.

Essential Job Functions & Responsibilities:

• Set up and operate manual lathes, milling machines, drill presses, grinders, saws, and other standard machine shop equipment.
• Fabricate, repair, and modify mechanical parts, tooling, guards, brackets, shafts, bushings, spacers, fixtures, and other machine components.
• Support maintenance technicians by producing or reworking parts needed for equipment repairs, rebuilds, breakdown response, and preventive maintenance activities.
• Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, sketches, and sample parts to determine dimensions, tolerances, materials, and machining methods.
• Perform layout work, measure parts, and verify finished components using micrometers, calipers, dial indicators, depth gauges, and bore gauges.
• Determine appropriate machining processes, tooling, speeds, feeds, and work‑holding methods for one‑off and small‑batch repair work.
• Inspect finished work to confirm accuracy, fit, finish, and compliance with required specifications.
• Troubleshoot damaged or worn parts and recommend practical repair or replacement solutions.
• Maintain machine shop equipment, tooling, measuring instruments, and work areas in a clean, organized, and safe condition.

Qualifications & Requirements:

Skills & Knowledge:

• Demonstrated commitment to teamwork, with strong interpersonal skills
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of hands‑on manual machining experience in an industrial, manufacturing, maintenance, toolroom, or repair environment.
• Strong experience operating manual lathes and manual milling machines.
• Ability to machine parts to close tolerances and verify work using precision measuring tools.
• Ability to work from blueprints, sketches, damaged parts, and verbal instructions.
• Solid understanding of shop math, materials, cutting tools, speeds and feeds, fits, clearances, and machining best practices.
• Strong mechanical troubleshooting skills and ability to support urgent maintenance needs.
• Ability to work independently while prioritizing requests and communicating effectively with maintenance, engineering, and operations teams.
• Ability to execute detailed assignments and support mechanical systems effectively.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Ability to use AutoCAD is a plus.

Education:

High Diploma Associate’s degree in a related major or equivalent on the job experience preferred Completion of certified technical school curriculum in a technical discipline preferred

Other Requirements:

Shift flexibility to support business needs

Compensation Range: $26.72 - $34.72

Applicants for this position must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. The company will not sponsor applicants for this position for work visas.

Lindt USA’s salary range reflects market rates based on our size, revenue, and location. Starting pay is determined using a wide range of factors including, but not limited to, job‑related skills, knowledge, and experience as well as market conditions. A bonus and/or long-term incentive may be included as part of this compensation package.

Lindt and Sprüngli is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, veteran status, or any other classification protected by state, local or federal law.

Applicants for this position must successfully pass a background screening and may be required to pass drug screenings as well.

Looking to grow your career in a dynamic, international setting? Join the Lindt & Sprüngli Group! Together, we thrive to achieve our bold ambitions, powered by our purpose and unique culture of community and mutual support – rooted in a proud tradition, yet always evolving to stay ahead and set new standards. Across our diverse local teams, we think globally and act locally – empowering people to grow, take ownership and shape a sustainable future together. We are a responsible “employer of choice” who provides an inspiring people experience. Together, we build trust, drive innovation, and grow – as individuals and as a business. Lindt & Sprüngli has been enchanting the world with chocolate for over 180 years. The long-established Swiss company with its roots in Zurich is a global leader in the premium chocolate category. Lindt & Sprüngli produces quality chocolates today at its 12 factories in Europe and the USA. Its products are sold by 41 subsidiaries and branch offices in around 620 of its own stores as well as via a network of around 100 distributors around the globe. With around 15,500 employees, the Lindt & Sprüngli Group reported sales of CHF 5.92 billion in 2025. Our commitment to contributing to a sustainable tomorrow is a key element driving the company’s actions and ambitions. Since 2008, the Lindt & Sprüngli Farming Program has been our Responsible Sourcing Standard for cocoa.