Job Description

At a glance
Company: SMI Metal Precision
Location: Houston, TX
Pay: $22–$35/hr, DOE, plus second-shift differential
Job Type: Full-time
Shift: 2nd Shift
Experience: 3+ years
Machines: GNL VTC-2000 (CNC vertical turning lathe / mill-turn)
Controls: Siemens 840D

Why this job is worth considering

SMI Metal Precision is a 50-year-old, family-owned precision machine shop in north Houston, just minutes from Bush Airport, repositioning from oil-and-gas-only work into mining, space, and other complex-component industries. The company is building a brand-new second shift from scratch in its High Bay section, and this VTL opening is one of three founding machinist seats on that team. You'll run a GNL VTC-2000 mill-turn with Siemens 840D controls, machining large-diameter components that move straight into assembly as finished precision parts. The shop is climate-controlled, and SMI is open to funding relocation for the right candidate. If you want in on a new shift as it's built rather than joining one that's already set, this is that opportunity.

What you'll be doing

• Set up and run a GNL VTC-2000 CNC vertical turning lathe/mill-turn (Siemens 840D controls), performing turning, milling, and drilling operations on the same part
• Perform setups, offsets, and tool changes
• Machine and measure large-diameter components, up to roughly 2 meters / ~100" OD
• Handle, position, and flip large, heavy parts safely
• Operate a 25-ton overhead crane to move parts through the High Bay
• Verify your own first-article inspection, then cross-check a second machinist's first article
• Produce finished precision components that move directly into assembly

Machines, controls and software

Primary machine: GNL VTC-2000 CNC vertical turning lathe (mill-turn), capacity up to approximately 2 meters / ~100" OD, with Siemens 840D control. No CNC programming is required for this role — setups, offsets, and tool changes only. Overhead crane experience (25-ton) is required for the High Bay.

What we're looking forRequired

• Hands-on large-part CNC machining experience, not limited to small or medium-format work
• VTL / vertical turning experience, ideally including mill-turn work (milling and drilling in addition to turning)
• Overhead crane experience
• Comfortable handling, positioning, and flipping heavy components
• Able to set offsets, change tooling, and inspect your own first-article work
• Experience running a mix of different parts rather than one repetitive, single-part operation
• Must currently reside in the United States
• Comfortable working second shift (afternoon/evening hours)

Preferred

• Experience in oil and gas, mining, aerospace/space, or other complex-component manufacturing

Pay, benefits and schedule

Pay is $22–$35/hr, depending on experience, with a second-shift differential expected to run roughly 10–15%. Stronger candidates above that range can be discussed case by case. This is a brand-new second shift: a 3:00 PM start is the baseline, 8 or 10 hours, Monday through Friday, though SMI is open to 4x10 or 4x12 schedules to build the right team. All three second-shift hires will be on the same schedule, and second shift will not work Fridays to start (first shift covers that half-day). New hires train on first shift until the new team reaches at least two people, then move to second shift.

Benefits include Blue Cross Blue Shield medical (HMO and PPO options) with SMI covering 75% of the employee premium, a 401(k) with company match, PTO starting at two weeks, paid sick days, and a climate-controlled shop. Relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates.

About SMI Metal Precision and apply

SMI Metal Precision is a family-owned precision machine shop in north Houston, roughly 30 employees, with 50 years in business. Current ownership took over two years ago and has been repositioning the shop from oil-and-gas-only work toward mining, space, and other complex-component industries. Finished parts move directly to assembly, and the shop runs a 25-ton overhead crane in its High Bay section to support large-part work.

To apply, submit your application through this posting. Questions about this opening can be directed to hireCNC recruiter Selena Cleveland, who is coordinating hiring for SMI Metal Precision.

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