Description
Cylindrical Grinder Machinist
Job Type: Full Time
Location: Beachwood, OH
Shift hours: 7am - 3:30pm
Pay: $26 - $30/hour
About Helix Linear
Helix Linear Technologies designs and manufactures high-precision linear motion systems, ball screws, linear actuators, and custom motion assemblies, for aerospace, medical, defense, and industrial automation customers. Our products operate in environments where tolerances are measured in ten-thousandths and failure is not an option. We hold ourselves to that standard every day.
About the Position
The Cylindrical Grinder Machinist is a core production role responsible for grinding precision shafts, screws, and linear components to tight dimensional tolerances. You'll work in a climate-controlled precision machining environment, operating CNC and/or manual cylindrical grinding equipment on a high-mix, low-volume product line where accuracy and process discipline matter on every setup.
Responsibilities
- Set up and operate Drake cylindrical grinding machines (OD and/or ID) to produce parts within print specifications
- Read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T callouts, tolerances, and inspection requirements
- Perform in-process inspection using precision measurement instruments (micrometers, indicators, bore gauges)
- Select and dress grinding wheels for material type, surface finish, and stock removal requirements
- Maintain accurate job travelers, inspection records, and production documentation
- Execute first-article and in-process checks; escalate non-conformances to Quality
- Maintain equipment condition, wheel inventory, and grinding fluid concentration per standards
- Actively participate in 5S, continuous improvement, and process documentation efforts
- Communicate clearly with Quality, Engineering, and Production on part status and any deviations
Requirements
Who You Are
- Precise: you take tolerances seriously and hold yourself to print every time
- Ownership-oriented: you don't pass problems downstream; you flag them and solve them
- Consistent: you follow process the same way on rep 1 and rep 100
- Communicative: you speak up early if something is off, not after the run is done
- Steady: you work well in a focused, production environment without constant supervision
What You Bring
- 3+ years of experience operating cylindrical grinding equipment in a precision manufacturing environment
- Ability to hold tolerances of ±0.0002" or tighter
- Proficiency with precision measurement tools: micrometers, indicators, air gauges, bore gauges
- Experience reading engineering drawings and GD&T
- Familiarity with grinding wheel selection, dressing, and wheel wear management
- Experience grinding hardened steel, stainless, or tool steel
- CNC cylindrical grinding experience (Studer, Kellenberger, Cincinnati, or similar preferred, Drake a huge plus)
- Experience in aerospace, medical, or defense manufacturing environments (a plus)
- Familiarity with SPC or statistical process control concepts (a plus)
What Success Looks Like
- Parts produced to print, first time, within tolerance, consistently
- In-process inspection completed accurately and documented without prompting
- Setups completed efficiently with minimal scrap or rework
- Quality and Engineering receive early notification of any process or tolerance concerns
- Equipment and work area maintained to 5S standards
Why Join Helix?
Helix designs and manufactures high-precision linear motion systems, ball screws, lead screws, linear actuators, and custom assemblies, for aerospace, defense, and medical applications.
We engineer with purpose, hold ourselves to rigorous standards, and take ownership from the first customer interaction through final delivery. Our culture values people who are direct, dependable, and committed to doing things the right way, even when it takes more effort.
Helix offers competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, retirement plans, PTO, and most major holidays, along with steady daytime hours.
We're growing and investing in people, equipment, and process. If precision work and doing things the right way matter to you, you'll fit in here.
Helix Linear Technologies is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Skills Required
- 3+ years operating cylindrical grinding equipment in a precision manufacturing environment
- Ability to hold tolerances of ±0.0002" or tighter
- Proficiency with precision measurement tools (micrometers, indicators, air gauges, bore gauges)
- Experience reading engineering drawings and GD&T
- Familiarity with grinding wheel selection, dressing, and wheel wear management
- Experience grinding hardened steel, stainless, or tool steel
- CNC cylindrical grinding experience (Studer, Kellenberger, Cincinnati, or similar)
- Experience with Drake cylindrical grinding machines
- Experience in aerospace, medical, or defense manufacturing environments
- Familiarity with SPC or statistical process control concepts
What We Do
Helix Linear Technologies designs and manufactures high-precision motion control systems, including precision ball screws, lead screws, and linear actuators. The company provides complete engineering, design, analysis, and manufacturing capabilities for mission-critical applications in industries such as aerospace, medical devices, defense, and advanced automation, ensuring that every component meets exacting standards where reliability and precision are critical.
