Cup-and-Cone Precision Grinding Cell Operator

Amsted Manufacturing USA; Petersburg (VA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Ownership

401(k) Match

Comprehensive Benefits

PTO & Holidays

Job summary

Amsted Rail Petersburg is seeking a production cell operator to set up, monitor, and maintain grinding equipment that shapes metal workpieces to exacting specifications. You will load programs, verify dimensions with gauges, and ensure safety and quality throughout the run.

This role offers on-site, day and night shift options with competitive pay, robust benefits, and opportunities for growth through on-the-job training, skill pay, and advancement pathways.

Qualifications

• Able to lift, push, and pull 10–50 lbs and stay on your feet moving through the department.
• Comfort wearing PPE and following safety procedures.
• Mechanical aptitude with ability to interpret gauges and measurements.
• Experience in industrial settings is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Load programs into machine control units and set up the grinding cell.
• Inspect parts for defects and verify conformance with gauges.
• Monitor conveyors and watch for excessive vibration, adjusting as needed.
• Perform preventive maintenance and swap attachments during changeovers.
• Operate forklifts to stage part bins and support loading/unloading.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Stamina

Safety compliance

Teamwork

Tools

Forklift

Machine control units

Gauges & measurement tools

Job description

Be the precision behind every rail componentStep onto the Cup Cone line at Amsted Rail Petersburg and own a full production cell that shapes metal work pieces to exacting specifications. You’ll run, monitor, and maintain grinding equipment to produce precision parts that meet both customer requirements and Amsted Rail standards.A day in this roleYour shift starts with a safety check and a quick review of production goals. You’ll load programs into the machine control unit, stage part bins with a forklift, and bring the cell online. As parts move across transfer conveyors, you’ll listen for unusual vibration, verify dimensions with gauges, and keep processes tuned for accuracy.What you’ll doFollow all plant-wide safety, ergonomics, and environmental requirements outlined in the Amsted Rail Health & Safety programMeasure and verify work piece dimensions with gauges per our departmental quality planInspect parts for defects and conformance throughout the runAssist Setup personnel during changeovers; swap attachments and prepare the line/cellUse hand and power tools safely to support production and maintenance tasksLift and position components manually or with hoists/cranesMonitor transfer conveyors and ensure proper, continuous operationListen for excessive vibration; make adjustments to stabilize and correctAdjust machine parameters in manual or automatic modes; intervene when parts drift out of specRecord production run details in the company computer systemUnderstand operational sequences and final dimensions to maintain throughput and qualityDepartment-specific impactSelect and load the correct program into machine control units to begin operationsPerform preventive maintenance to keep equipment reliableTroubleshoot part compliance and equipment issues to minimize downtimeRemove and replace worn grinding wheels as neededOperate a forklift to stage part bins for processingOversee gantry devices and coordinate with load/unload robotsWhat makes you a great fitSuccessfully pass a pre-employment drug & background screeningAble to lift, push, and pull 10–50 lbs and stay on your feet moving through the department for the shiftComfort wearing employer-provided PPE for the departmentMechanical aptitude; prior industrial experience is a plusWhy choose Amsted Rail PetersburgEmployee Ownership: Annual stock awards (10% of compensation)401(k) Match: Up to 4% dollar-for-dollarComprehensive Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, HSA with company contributions, life insurance, disability coverage, and pet insurance available after 30 daysCompetitive Pay: Competitive hourly rate, considering prior experience for additional pay, plus annual bonus eligibility potentialCareer Growth: On-the-job training, pay-for-skill, and advancement pathwaysWork-Life Balance: PTO starting at 3 weeks, 11 paid holidays, Day Shift (7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.), Night Shift (7:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m.)Additional Perks: Tuition reimbursement, referral bonuses, employee discount programsAmsted Rail’s commitment to Affirmative Action:Amsted Rail is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. To review our EEO Policies or to request assistance please go to www.amstedrail.com/careers/ and select EEO Compliance/Statements. To learn more about us, please visit us online at www.amstedrail.com.