Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Field Machinist

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires a highly skilled and self-motivated Field Machinist to join our dynamic team. This critical role involves traveling to customer sites—ranging from power plants and manufacturing facilities to shipyards and paper mills—to perform high-precision, on-site machining and repair of large-scale, non-removable industrial equipment. The ideal candidate is an expert problem-solver who can independently set up, operate, and troubleshoot a variety of portable machine tools. You will be the face of our company, delivering exceptional quality and service under demanding conditions, ensuring minimal downtime and maximum operational efficiency for our clients.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Shop Machinist / Journeyman Machinist
Maintenance Technician with advanced machining skills
Machinist Apprentice Graduate

Advancement To:

Lead Field Machinist / Senior Field Machinist
Field Service Supervisor / Team Lead
On-site Machining Project Manager

Lateral Moves:

Metrology & 3D Measurement Specialist
Technical Sales & Application Engineering
In-house CNC Programmer / Manufacturing Engineer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Travel extensively to domestic and international client locations to perform on-site machining services, often on short notice.
Set up, align, and operate a diverse range of portable machine tools, including portable lathes, milling machines, line boring bars, and flange facers.
Interpret complex engineering drawings, blueprints, sketches, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) to determine machining requirements.
Perform precision machining operations such as shaft turning, line boring, flange refacing, thread milling, and keyway cutting on large, stationary industrial components.
Utilize advanced measuring instruments like laser trackers, alignment systems, micrometers, and bore gauges to verify dimensions and ensure conformance to strict tolerances.
Independently diagnose and troubleshoot complex mechanical issues on-site to develop an effective machining repair strategy.
Execute all machining tasks with a paramount focus on safety, adhering to both company and client-specific safety protocols and LOTO (Lock-Out/Tag-Out) procedures.
Manage on-site project logistics, including tool mobilization, job setup, and coordination with client personnel and other contractors.
Conduct pre- and post-machining inspections, documenting all measurements and creating comprehensive service reports for clients and internal records.
Provide expert technical advice and recommendations to clients regarding repair options, component integrity, and potential future maintenance needs.
Perform field modifications and fabrication to adapt tooling and fixtures for unique or challenging on-site machining applications.
Maintain and perform routine maintenance on all assigned portable machining equipment and measurement tools to ensure operational readiness and accuracy.
Work irregular hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, to support emergency breakdown situations and scheduled plant outages.
Interface directly with site supervisors, engineers, and maintenance planners to provide clear progress updates and resolve any project-related issues.
Perform on-site journal and bearing housing repairs on large rotating equipment like turbines, generators, and industrial fans.

Secondary Functions

Assist in the training and mentoring of junior machinists or apprentices in field techniques and equipment operation.
Provide detailed feedback to the engineering and sales teams on tooling performance, job challenges, and opportunities for new service offerings.
Participate in job-scoping and pre-project planning meetings, providing technical input to ensure accurate quoting and resource allocation.
Manage on-site inventory of tooling, consumables, and spare parts required for the successful completion of the job.
Complete all required administrative tasks in a timely manner, including timesheets, expense reports, and final project documentation.
Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis.
Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap.
Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Portable Machine Tool Operation: Expertise in setting up and operating portable machining equipment (e.g., Climax, Mirage, Sir Meccanica), including line boring bars, flange facers, and portable mills.
Precision Measurement: Proficient in using a wide array of precision measuring tools, such as outside/inside micrometers, calipers, bore gauges, depth gauges, and indicators. Experience with laser alignment and tracker systems is highly desirable.
Blueprint & GD&T Reading: Advanced ability to read and interpret complex technical drawings, schematics, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) symbols.
Machine Setup & Alignment: Strong skills in rigging, indicating, and accurately aligning large, complex machine tool setups on stationary workpieces.
Material & Cutting Knowledge: In-depth understanding of various metals, alloys, and their machinability properties, including proper selection of cutting tools, speeds, and feeds.
Welding & Fabrication: Basic welding (tack welding for fixtures) and metal fabrication skills for creating custom mounts or supports in the field is a significant plus.
Troubleshooting: Exceptional mechanical aptitude and diagnostic skills to solve problems with machinery, tooling, and unique workpiece challenges.

Soft Skills

Independence & Self-Motivation: Proven ability to work autonomously with minimal supervision in high-pressure, remote environments.
Problem-Solving: A creative and analytical mindset to overcome unforeseen obstacles and develop effective solutions on the fly.
Customer Communication: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to professionally interact with clients, explain technical procedures, and manage expectations.
Adaptability & Resilience: Ability to thrive in a physically demanding, travel-heavy role with unpredictable schedules and diverse work environments.
Safety Consciousness: A steadfast commitment to maintaining a safe work environment for oneself and others at all times.
Time Management: Strong organizational skills to manage project timelines effectively and ensure on-time completion of critical path jobs.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
Completion of a formal Machinist Apprenticeship program.

Preferred Education:

Associate's Degree or certificate from a technical college in Machine Tool Technology, Industrial Machining, or a related discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Machine Tool Technology
Industrial Maintenance Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 5+ years of hands-on experience as a machinist.

Preferred:

A minimum of 3-5 years of dedicated experience specifically in a field machining or on-site machining role.
Verifiable experience working in heavy industrial settings such as power generation (nuclear, fossil, hydro), oil & gas, marine/shipbuilding, steel mills, or pulp & paper.
Must possess a valid driver's license with a clean driving record and be able to pass extensive background checks and drug screenings for site access.