Machine Builder & Precision Assembler – 1st Shift

Job Juncture; City of Pewaukee (WI); On-site; USD 62,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Job Juncture in Pewaukee, WI, seeks a skilled mechanical craftsman to lead ground-up machine builds in an on-site shop. The role focuses on designing and assembling complex automation equipment, reading multi-view blueprints, and coordinating with engineers to ensure tight tolerances and reliable operation.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years of hands-on experience or 2+ years with precision toolmaking, possess blueprint literacy, and are comfortable working with pneumatics and hydraulics.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressively responsible experience executing ground-up mechanical machine builds, or 2+ years with a precision toolmaking/background.
• Ability to read and interpret complex mechanical drawings and fluid power schematics.
• Hands-on proficiency with shop tools and precision measuring instruments.

Responsibilities

• Build complex custom systems, align and assemble automation machinery from scratch.
• Interpret detailed multi-view mechanical drawings and pneumatic/hydraulic schematics.
• Utilize on-floor 3D CAD models to verify spatial relationships and clearances.
• Install pneumatic and hydraulic circuits on machine frames with clean routing.
• Fine-tune components to exact tolerances using toolmaking techniques.
• Collaborate with engineers on-site to troubleshoot bottlenecks and deviations.
• Oversee teardown, packing, and crating of completed machines for transport.

Skills

Ground-up builds

Blueprint literacy

Pneumatics & hydraulics

Precision tooling

CAD modeling

Education

Trade apprenticeship / toolmaking background

Tools

Mills

Lathes

Calipers & micrometers

Job description

Salary: $62,400 - $83,200 per year

Posted: August 25 2026

Relocation Assistance: Not Available

• COMPENSATION: Up to $40.00/hour starting base rate (commensurate with trade experience and toolmaking depth) + overtime availability + comprehensive benefits package.
• WORK SCHEDULE: Fixed, predictable 1st Shift | 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM | Monday through Friday | 100% Onsite shop environment.
• WORK ENVIRONMENT: Established, premier custom automation builder in the Pewaukee area; modern facility featuring on-floor 3D modeling workstations at every build station; collaborative, non-siloed team culture where builders work directly with mechanical engineers and wiremen.
• EXPERIENCE & TECH STACK: 5+ years of ground-up mechanical machine building OR 2+ years backed by a precision toolmaking/fixture-building background; advanced mechanical blueprint literacy; fluid power piping/routing (pneumatics and hydraulics); precision measurement tools and shop floor machinery.
• COMPANY STABILITY & CULTURE: Long-standing custom machinery leader building complex, one-off automation assets; casual, high-ownership workplace; opening created due to an upcoming long-term employee retirement.
• REQUIREMENTS / COMPLIANCE: US Citizen or Green Card holder; permanent residence within a daily 45-minute driving radius of Pewaukee, WI.

If you are a true mechanical craftsman who hates the repetitive monotony of high-volume line assembly and wants a technical home where genuine problem-solving skills are valued, this custom machine building role offers an ideal destination. Operating as an established, long-standing custom automation provider in the Pewaukee area, this industry pioneer has spent decades designing and building high-specification, one-of-a-kind machinery for global manufacturers.

Rejecting rigid corporate silos, this shop fosters a tight-knit environment where mechanical builders, electrical wiremen, and engineering staff work side-by-side on the floor from day one. Every system born on this production floor is a custom, complex automation asset integrating cutting-edge controls, robotics, vision systems, and fluid power loops. Once a project hits the floor, you have end-to-end ownership of the build, the creative freedom to finesse mechanical alignments, and a direct line to engineering. Backed by an opening created by an upcoming retirement, excellent job security, and modern CAD-equipped workstations, this environment provides an exceptional long-term home for a proud trades professional.

What You Will Be Doing (Daily Responsibilities)

• Build Complex Custom Systems: Build, fit, align, and assemble diverse, high-value custom automated machinery, robotic cells, assembly presses, and packaging lines from the ground up.
• Interpret Technical Schematics: Read and build from highly detailed multi-view mechanical drawings, assembly blueprints, and pneumatic/hydraulic fluid power schematics to establish proper build sequencing.
• Utilize On-Floor 3D Modeling: Access 3D CAD digital models directly at shop-floor workstations to verify spatial relationships, check mechanical clearances, and inspect complex sub-assemblies in real time.
• Install Fluid Power Systems: Layout, bend, route, and mount complex pneumatic manifolds, valve blocks, and high-pressure hydraulic circuits neatly onto machine frames.
• Precision Mechanical Finessing: Shim, scrape, adjust, and tune precision components to exact tolerances, utilizing toolmaking-level techniques to guarantee flawless mechanical motion and cycling.
• Collaborate with Engineering: Partner directly with mechanical design engineers on-site to troubleshoot assembly bottlenecks, verify tolerances, and resolve design deviations on the fly.
• Teardown & Crating: Oversee the tactical breakdown, match-marking, packing, and crating of completed custom machines to prepare them for customer transport and field installation.

What We Are Looking For (Requirements & Qualifications)

• Proven Machine Building Pedigree: 5+ years of progressively responsible experience executing ground-up mechanical machine builds, OR 2+ years of experience backed by a formal background in precision toolmaking, die building, or custom fixture assembly.
• Complex System Craftsmanship: Demonstrated background building high-speed material handling systems, precision automated lines, or custom packaging machinery (not component-level bench assembly).
• Blueprint & Schematic Literacy: Expert ability to read, interpret, and assemble complex machinery directly from multi-page mechanical assembly prints and fluid power schematics.
• Precision Tool Mastery: Expert, safe operation of hand and power tools, shop equipment (mills, lathes, surface grinders), and precision measuring instruments (calipers, micrometers, dial indicators).
• Collaborative Mindset: Strong interpersonal skills and a team-first work ethic to partner effectively with wiremen, controls engineers, and plant leadership.
• Location & Legal Authorization: Residence established within a comfortable daily 45-minute commuting radius of Pewaukee, WI, and US Citizenship or Green Card holder status.

Preferred Technical Assets (Bonus Skills)

• Basic Electrical / Sensor Alignment: Ability to mount, align, and wire basic 24V proximity sensors, photoeyes, and limit switches during mechanical assembly.
• Robotics & Vision Cell Setup: Hands-on experience mounting and mechanically squaring end-of-arm tooling (EOAT) or camera mounting frames.