Benefits:- Company parties
- Competitive salary
- Dental insurance
- Employee discounts
- Health insurance
- Opportunity for advancement
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
- Wellness resources
JOB DESCRIPTION โ Roughing Operator / CNC Lathe Trainee
About the RoleFERPA Precision Machine, Inc. is seeking a motivated Roughing Operator / CNC Lathe Trainee to join our machining team in Houston, Texas.
The employee will begin in our Roughing Department, learning to set up and operate manual lathes to remove excess material from raw stock and prepare parts for finishing operations. The position also includes hands-on CNC lathe training under the guidance of experienced machinists.
As the employee demonstrates proficiency, reliability, and readiness, additional CNC responsibilities may be assigned. This position offers an excellent opportunity to develop valuable machining skills and work toward advancement into a CNC lathe operator or machinist role. The pace of training and advancement will depend on individual performance, demonstrated skills, and business needs.
Key Responsibilitiesยท Set up and operate manual lathes for rough machining operations
ยท Perform rough cuts and remove excess material from metal and plastic components
ยท Read and follow blueprints, work orders, job travelers, and technical drawings
ยท Select appropriate tooling, speeds, and feeds for roughing operations
ยท Measure and verify part dimensions using calipers, micrometers, and gauges
ยท Maintain required tolerances according to job specifications
ยท Monitor machine performance and make adjustments as needed
ยท Deburr, clean, and prepare parts for the next operation
ยท Assist experienced machinists with CNC lathe setups and operations
ยท Learn to load and unload parts, monitor machining cycles, and recognize tool wear
ยท Learn basic tool offsets, G-code concepts, and CNC machine controls
ยท Complete required production and inspection documentation
ยท Perform routine machine maintenance and maintain a clean, organized work area
ยท Follow all safety procedures and PPE requirements
ยท Collaborate with machinists and supervisors to support production workflow
ยท Perform additional job-related duties as assigned
Job Requirementsยท High school diploma or GED preferred
ยท Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 40 pounds
ยท This position requires U.S. Person status as defined under applicable ITAR regulations
Preferred Qualificationsยท Previous manufacturing or machine shop experience, especially with manual machining or roughing operations
ยท Prior experience with precision measuring tools, inspection processes and machining fundamentals
What Youโll Learnยท Manual lathe setup and operation
ยท CNC lathe operation and basic setups
ยท Blueprint and technical drawing interpretation
ยท Precision measuring and quality-inspection techniques
ยท Tool selection, offsets, and wear adjustments
ยท Machining speeds and feeds
ยท Basic G-code concepts
ยท Production documentation and shop procedures
Skills Weโre Looking Forยท Positive attitude, strong work ethic, and dependable attendance
ยท Team-oriented mindset
ยท Strong attention to detail
ยท Willingness to accept feedback
ยท Mechanical aptitude and problem-solving ability
ยท Commitment to safety and quality
ยท Interest in learning and building a long-term machining career
Why Work at FERPA?ยท Family-owned company with over 35 years of success
ยท Weekly pay
ยท Direct-hire, full-time position
ยท Clean, climate-controlled shop
ยท Modern CNC equipment
ยท Hands-on training with experienced machinists
ยท Structured CNC lathe training and career-development opportunities
ยท Opportunity to develop highly valuable manufacturing skills
ยท Growing aerospace and precision manufacturing company