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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Kitchen Machinist Assistant

💰 $20 - $28

ManufacturingSkilled TradesFabricationEngineering

🎯 Role Definition

As a Kitchen Machinist Assistant, you are the crucial support system for our lead machinists and fabricators. You will be immersed in a hands-on environment, learning the craft of precision machining and metal fabrication specifically for the commercial food service industry. Your primary focus will be on assisting with the setup, operation, and maintenance of various machine tools to create, modify, and repair custom stainless steel kitchen equipment. This role is ideal for an individual with strong mechanical aptitude, a keen eye for detail, and a desire to grow into a skilled trades professional. You will be an integral part of a team that takes pride in delivering high-quality, durable, and functional equipment to our clients.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Vocational/Technical School Graduate (Machining or Welding)
  • Entry-Level Fabricator or Welder's Helper
  • General Laborer in a Manufacturing Environment

Advancement To:

  • Journeyman Machinist / Kitchen Equipment Machinist
  • CNC Programmer/Operator
  • Lead Fabricator or Shop Foreman

Lateral Moves:

  • Quality Control Inspector
  • Field Service Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Assist senior machinists in the setup, calibration, and operation of manual and CNC machinery, including lathes, milling machines, press brakes, and grinders.
  • Read and accurately interpret complex blueprints, schematics, and engineering drawings to understand project requirements and specifications.
  • Perform precision machining tasks such as turning, facing, drilling, tapping, and milling on various metals, with a strong focus on stainless steel.
  • Utilize precision measuring instruments like micrometers, calipers, height gauges, and bore gauges to verify parts conform to strict dimensional tolerances.
  • Execute TIG and MIG welding on stainless steel and aluminum components to fabricate custom kitchen fixtures, countertops, and equipment frames.
  • Assemble complex mechanical and fabricated components for commercial kitchen equipment, ensuring proper fit, function, and finish.
  • Perform finishing operations, including deburring, grinding, sanding, and polishing on finished parts to meet food-grade safety and aesthetic standards.
  • Support the diagnosis, troubleshooting, and repair of existing commercial kitchen equipment, both in the shop and occasionally on-site.
  • Prepare and cut raw materials to specified dimensions using saws, shears, and other cutting equipment.
  • Actively participate in the layout and fitting of sheet metal components for items like ventilation hoods, sinks, and work surfaces.
  • Learn and apply new machining and fabrication techniques under the direct mentorship of experienced professionals.
  • Adhere rigorously to all company and industry safety protocols (including OSHA standards) to maintain a safe and hazard-free workshop.
  • Operate material handling equipment such as forklifts, pallet jacks, and overhead cranes to safely move materials and finished goods.
  • Assist in the installation of custom-fabricated equipment at client locations, ensuring a professional and efficient setup.
  • Perform routine and preventive maintenance on all shop machinery and tools to ensure their longevity and optimal performance.

Secondary Functions

  • Maintain meticulous logs of work performed, materials consumed, and time spent on various projects for accurate job costing and tracking.
  • Manage and organize inventory of raw materials, fasteners, tooling, and other shop consumables, reporting any shortages to the supervisor.
  • Contribute to maintaining a clean, orderly, and efficient work environment through regular shop cleanup and organization efforts.
  • Collaborate with the design and engineering teams to provide practical feedback on the manufacturability of new designs.
  • Participate actively in daily team meetings, safety briefings, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Blueprint Reading: Proven ability to read and interpret complex technical drawings, blueprints, and schematics.
  • Manual Machining: Hands-on experience operating manual lathes and milling machines.
  • Welding Proficiency: Skill in TIG and/or MIG welding, especially with stainless steel.
  • Precision Measurement: Competency in using calipers, micrometers, dial indicators, and other metrology tools.
  • Metal Fabrication: Knowledge of fabrication techniques including shearing, bending, forming, and finishing.
  • Mechanical Aptitude: Strong ability to understand, troubleshoot, and repair mechanical systems and equipment.
  • Hand & Power Tool Proficiency: Safe and effective use of a wide range of hand tools and power tools.
  • Shop Math: Solid understanding of fractions, decimals, geometry, and trigonometry as applied to machining.
  • CNC Operation (Preferred): Basic familiarity with setting up or operating CNC machines is a significant plus.
  • Safety Protocols: Knowledge of general machine shop safety and OSHA guidelines.

Soft Skills

  • Attention to Detail: An unwavering focus on precision, quality, and accuracy in all tasks.
  • Problem-Solving: The ability to analyze issues, think critically, and implement effective solutions.
  • Team Collaboration: Works effectively with others, demonstrating a cooperative and supportive attitude.
  • Willingness to Learn: A strong desire to absorb new information, accept constructive feedback, and develop new skills.
  • Work Ethic: Reliable, punctual, and self-motivated with the ability to work diligently with minimal supervision.
  • Adaptability: Capable of adjusting to changing priorities and handling multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
  • Communication Skills: Ability to clearly communicate technical information and questions to supervisors and team members.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

  • Certificate or Associate's Degree from a technical or vocational school.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Machine Tool Technology
  • Welding Technology
  • Industrial Maintenance Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1-3 years of hands-on experience in a machine shop, metal fabrication facility, or related manufacturing environment.

Preferred: Direct experience working with stainless steel fabrication, food service equipment, or in a job shop environment that requires frequent setup changes and custom work.

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