Purpose

The Rotary Surface Grinder Operator is responsible for the setup, operation, and continuous improvement of precision rotary surface grinding processes supporting advanced manufacturing programs.

This role works directly with Additive Manufacturing, Quality, Machining, and Production teams to produce high-value components that meet demanding dimensional, geometric, and surface-finish requirements. Typical parts include build plates, fixtures and production tools.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on machinist who understands that precision grinding is more than machine operation. This position requires the ability to understand part requirements, develop an effective setup and grinding strategy, control the process, inspect the finished product, and identify opportunities to improve quality and throughput.

The Role

• Independently set up and operate rotary surface grinding equipment, including vertical-spindle/Blanchard-style grinders.
• Review engineering drawings, GD&T, work instructions, manufacturing plans, and inspection requirements prior to machining.
• Develop grinding setups based on material, geometry, stock condition, tolerance, and surface-finish requirements.
• Select appropriate grinding wheels, abrasives, feeds, speeds, depth of cut, and coolant conditions.
• Mount, dress, true, and maintain grinding wheels for consistent performance.
• Set up magnetic chucks, fixtures, parallels, stops, and other work holding solutions.
• Establish machine references and verify setups before processing production hardware.
• Perform rough and finish grinding operations while controlling flatness, parallelism, thickness, dimensional accuracy, and surface finish.
• Work with tight-tolerance and high-value components where process control and attention to detail are critical.
• Perform in-process and final dimensional inspections using precision measuring equipment.
• Utilize micrometers, height gauges, dial/test indicators, gauge blocks, surface plates, calipers, and other inspection tools.
• Detect and correct grinding issues including chatter, taper, burning, wheel loading, poor surface finish, excessive heat, and dimensional variation.
• Monitor wheel condition, coolant performance, machine condition, and material behavior throughout the grinding process.
• Make offsets and process adjustments based on inspection results while maintaining traceability and process control.
• Accurately complete manufacturing travelers, inspection records, machine logs, and other required production documentation.
• Identify nonconforming conditions and work with Quality and Manufacturing Engineering to determine appropriate corrective actions.
• Support first-article, prototype, development, and production manufacturing activities.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to develop and validate new grinding processes.
• Provide feedback on manufacturability, work holding, tooling, grinding strategy, and process improvements.
• Support root-cause investigations involving grinding or dimensional nonconformances.
• Identify opportunities to reduce setup time, cycle time, scrap, rework, and process variation.
• Maintain grinding equipment through routine preventative maintenance and basic troubleshooting.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment in accordance with 5S and established safety requirements.

Basic Qualifications

• Ability to lawfully access information and technology that is subject to US export controls.
• High school diploma, GED, technical certification, or equivalent manufacturing experience.
• Proficient in precision machining, surface grinding, or related manufacturing operations.
• Hands-on experience setting up and operating surface grinding equipment.
• Ability to independently perform machine setups and determine appropriate grinding parameters.
• Strong understanding of precision grinding principles and abrasive machining.
• Ability to read and interpret complex engineering drawings.
• Working knowledge of GD&T.
• Proficiency using precision measuring equipment.
• Experience holding dimensional tolerances of ±0.0005 inch or tighter.
• Understanding of flatness, parallelism, thickness, and surface-finish requirements.
• Ability to perform shop mathematics involving decimals, fractions, geometry, and tolerance calculations.
• Ability to troubleshoot manufacturing and grinding-process problems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience operating Blanchard, Mattison, DCM, or similar rotary surface grinding equipment.
• Experience with both manual and CNC-controlled grinding equipment.
• Experience machining or grinding stainless steel, hardened steels, tool steels, aluminum, titanium, nickel-based superalloys, or other aerospace-grade materials.
• Experience producing components with tolerances of ±0.0002 inch or tighter.
• Strong understanding of grinding-wheel composition, abrasive selection, wheel hardness, structure, dressing, and wear characteristics.
• Experience controlling tight flatness and parallelism requirements across large components.
• Familiarity with surface-finish measurement and Ra requirements.
• Experience supporting prototype, low-volume/high-mix, and production manufacturing environments.
• Experience working with Engineering during new-product introduction and process development.
• Familiarity with AS9100, ISO 9001, first-article inspection, and aerospace/defense manufacturing requirements.
• Experience with ERP/MES systems, electronic manufacturing travelers, and digital inspection documentation.
• Lean manufacturing, 5S, continuous-improvement, or root-cause-analysis experience.

Work Environment

• Ability to stand and operate manufacturing equipment for extended periods.
• Ability to safely handle parts, fixtures, grinding wheels, and inspection equipment.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds independently or utilize appropriate lifting equipment for heavier components.
• Ability to work around rotating machinery, coolant, abrasive materials, metal chips, and industrial equipment.
• Ability to wear all required PPE and comply with machine and facility safety requirements.

Compensation

At Divergent, our pay range is based on the level of the job. For this role, we will consider candidates at levels T03 as evaluated through our interview process.

• T03 / Technician III: $36.00 - $50.00