Prototype Machinist & Precision Grinder

Precision Drive Systems; Bessemer City (NC); On-site; USD 39,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) Safe Harbor

Health, dental, and vision coverage

Employer-paid life insurance

Employer-paid disability insurance

Paid vacation

9 paid holidays

Tuition reimbursement

PPE support

Job summary

Precision Drive Systems in Bessemer City, NC is seeking a skilled Prototype Machinist & Grinder to support precision spindle rebuilds, prototype parts, and non-repetitive work. You will machine components with manual lathes, mills, and grinding equipment to micron tolerances.

Ideal candidates read blueprints, inspect parts, and drive quality and safety. You will contribute to continuous improvement, maintain tooling, and help ensure on-time delivery for demanding customers.

Qualifications

• Experience with manual lathes, mills, and grinding to tight tolerances.
• Ability to read blueprints or samples and perform precision measurement.
• Strong attention to detail, quality and safety.

Responsibilities

• Machine prototype spindle components and parts from prints or samples.
• Perform in-process inspection and final quality checks.
• Support continuous improvement and tooling optimization.
• Maintain equipment and diagnose minor issues to reduce downtime.
• Contribute to on-time delivery and customer satisfaction.

Skills

Manual machining

Blueprint reading

Tight-tolerance machining

Geometric tolerancing

Precision measurement

Lifting 50 lbs

Job description

Prototype Machinist & Precision Grinder

Precision Drive Systems (PDS) – Bessemer City, NC

Build High-Precision Components That Power Industry

At Precision Drive Systems, we don’t just repair electro-mechanical spindles; we restore and enhance the performance of the machines that keep manufacturing running worldwide. We are seeking a highly skilled Prototype Machinist / Grinder to support precision spindle rebuilds, component manufacturing, and prototype development. This demanding role requires strong mechanical aptitude, knowledge of machine tools, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to perform very precise machining to micron-level tolerances.

What You’ll Own

• Machine precision spindle components to tight tolerances using manual lathes, mills, and grinding equipment
• Produce prototype and one-off parts from prints, samples, or reverse engineering
• Ensure dimensional accuracy, surface finish, and repeatability meet PDS quality standards
• Perform in-process inspection and final quality checks
• Support continuous improvement of machining methods, setups, and tooling
• Maintain equipment and diagnose minor mechanical issues to reduce downtime
• Contribute to on-time delivery and customer satisfaction

What We’re Looking For

• Strong experience with manual machining (lathe, mill, grinding)
• Ability to work from blueprints, drawings, or physical samples
• Proven capability in tight-tolerance machining and precision measurement
• High attention to detail and commitment to quality and safety standards
• Essential math skills (geometry, tolerancing, measurements)
• Ability to lift 50 lbs.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with spindle components, shafts, housings, or precision rotating equipment
• Background in prototype machining or repair environments
• Familiarity with balancing, runout, and surface finish requirements
• Exposure to tooling optimization or process improvement

Who You Are

• A craftsman who takes pride in precision work
• Self-driven and capable of working independently with minimal supervision
• A problem solver who can adapt to unique, non-repetitive projects
• A team player who supports production flow and meets customer deadlines
• Committed to maintaining a safe, organized, and professional workspace

Why Join PDS

• Work on high-value, complex components (not repetitive production tasks)
• Be part of a growing, technically driven organization with strong customer demand
• Direct contribution to machine reliability and manufacturing uptime
• Collaborative, lean culture with minimal bureaucracy and fast decision-making
• Competitive hourly pay based on experience
• 401(k) Safe Harbor Plan with up to a 5.0% employer match (fully vested), health, dental, and vision coverage
• Employer-paid life, disability, and accident insurance

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive hourly pay based on experience
• 401(k) Safe Harbor Plan with up to a 5.0% employer match (fully vested), health, dental, and vision coverage
• Employer-paid life, disability, and accident insurance
• Paid vacation plus 9 paid holidays
• Tuition reimbursement
• PPE support (safety glasses, shoes, etc.)