Job Description

Senior Custom Machine Builder / Machine Tool Assembly Technician

Up to $40.00/Hour + Overtime • Pewaukee, WI Area • 100% Onsite Join an established, highly stable automation leader engineering high-value machinery and custom manufacturing solutions Take total floor-ownership of ground-up, custom robotics and automated assembly cells

• EXPERIENCE DEPTH 5+ Years of ground-up mechanical machine building experience, OR 2+ years of experience if backed by a strong, precision toolmaking background
• TECHNICAL SKILLS Advanced mechanical blueprint literacy, fluid power layout (pneumatics/hydraulics), and precision tool/shop equipment mastery
• SHOP INFRASTRUCTURE Modern manufacturing environment featuring dedicated shop-floor workstations utilizing advanced 3D modeling programs for real-time design referencing
• WORK SCHEDULE Fixed, stable 1st Shift: 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM (Monday through Friday)
• TRAVEL PROFILE Minimal (~5%) travel, primarily localized within Southeastern Wisconsin—be home for dinner nearly every single night
• EARNING POTENTIAL $30.00 – $35.00 per hour base rate, with flexibility up to $40.00 per hour for a master machine builder + premium overtime eligibility
• WORK TYPE Full-Time, Permanent, W-2 direct-hire position (100% onsite role; comfortable, casual shop environment)
• LOCATION Pewaukee, WI area (Must reside within a dependable 45-minute daily driving radius of the facility)
• COMPLIANCE United States Citizens or Green Card holders only (Sponsorship and relocation assistance are not available)

For a true craftsman who hates the mindless repetition of high-volume line assembly and wants a technical home where problem-solving skills are genuinely valued, this direct-hire career track offers an ideal environment. The employer is an established, long-standing custom automation provider that has spent decades designing and building high-specification machinery for global manufacturers. Operating with a tight-knit, highly collaborative team, the organization completely rejects rigid corporate silos. Mechanical builders, electrical wiremen, and the engineering staff work side-by-side on the floor from day one.

This isn't a position where operators install the exact same component week after week. Every system born on this production floor is a custom, complex, one-off automation asset integrating cutting-edge controls, robotics, vision systems, and complex fluid power networks. Once a project hits the shop floor, the assigned builder has total ownership of the build, the creative freedom to finesse alignments, and a direct line to engineering to solve technical challenges together. Backed by excellent job security, a casual workplace environment, comprehensive employee benefits, and an opening due to an upcoming retirement, this provides an exceptional long-term home for a proud trades professional.

What You Will Be Doing

• Building, fitting, and assembling a diverse range of small to large, high-value, custom, one-off automated manufacturing systems, robotic cells, assembly presses, and packaging machinery from the ground up
• Interpreting highly detailed blueprints, mechanical assembly drawings, and complex pneumatic, hydraulic, and electrical schematics to establish proper build sequencing
• Utilizing shop-floor modeling stations to access 3D digital designs, checking spatial relationships and mechanical movements in real time
• Installing and routing electrical cables, complex pneumatic manifolds, and high-pressure hydraulic circuits onto machine frames
• Finessing, shimming, and tuning precision machine components to exact tolerances, executing toolmaking-level adjustments to ensure flawless mechanical cycling
• Partnering directly with the engineering team to cross-verify designs, troubleshoot assembly bottlenecks, and iron out technical deviations on the fly
• Conducting quality control inspections on incoming raw materials and fabricated components prior to integration
• Executing the tactical breakdown, packing, and crating of completed custom machines and automated cells to prepare them for transport
• Mentoring, guiding, and sharing specialized trade techniques with junior technicians on the floor to maintain an elite assembly standard

What We Are Looking For

• Machine Building Pedigree: A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience executing ground-up mechanical machine builds. Note: Candidates with a dedicated background in toolmaking or precision fixture building require a minimum of only 2 years of experience.
• True Craftsmanship: Deep experience building high-speed material handling systems, precision automated lines, or custom packaging machinery. This role is not for component-level bench assemblers.
• Technical Documentation Fluency: High proficiency in reading, interpreting, and building from multi-view mechanical drawings, fabrication blueprints, and fluid power schematics.
• Tool & Instrument Mastery: Expert, safe operation of a wide variety of hand/power tools, machine shop equipment, and precision measurement tools (calipers, micrometers, indicators).
• Collaborative Mindset: A no-nonsense, collaborative work ethic with the interpersonal skills required to work seamlessly alongside senior wiremen, mechanical engineers, and management.

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