How to hire a lead machinist

How to hire a lead machinist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step lead machinist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a lead machinist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new lead machinist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the lead machinist you need to hire. Certain lead machinist roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a lead machinist to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a lead machinist that fits the bill.

   This list presents lead machinist salaries for various positions.

   Type of Lead Machinist	Description	Hourly rate
   Lead Machinist	Machinists and tool and die makers set up and operate a variety of computer-controlled and mechanically controlled machine tools to produce precision metal parts, instruments, and tools.	$18-32
   Grinder	Depending on the industry, a grinder has a diverse range of duties. Typically, they oversee setting up and operating bearing grinders, cam grinders, and CNC lathes... Show more	$12-19
   Computer Numerical Controller Supervisor	It is the responsibility of a computer numerical controller (CNC) supervisor to direct and manage CNC operators and machinists. CNC supervisors handle the schedules of the teams and their operations... Show more	$15-29

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CNC Lathes
   • Grinders
   • Calipers
   • Machine Tools
   • Aluminum
   • Troubleshoot
   • BARS
   • Shop Mathematics
   • Comparators
   • Dial Indicators
   • Planers
   • Precision Instruments
   • Safety Procedures
   • Production Schedules

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage and perform programming of CNC mills, lathes and EDM equipment, instrumentation, data acquisition and control systems.
   • Experience with cutting different materials (aluminum, titanium, inconel, mild and stainless steels).
   • Program, edit, and setup of CNC lathe with Fanuc control.
   • Work machines such as; Haas CNC vertical and horizontal mills and lathes.
   • Perform gluing, soldering, brazing and gas, arc, welding operations.
   • Lead setup/ supervisor for a cell of two Haas lathes and two Haas mills.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your lead machinist job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A lead machinist can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, lead machinists' average salary in north carolina is 37% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level lead machinists 43% less than senior-level lead machinists.
   • Certifications. A lead machinist with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a lead machinist's salary.

   Average lead machinist salary

   $51,691yearly

   $24.85 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level lead machinist salary

   $39,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 21, 2025

4. Writing a lead machinist job description

   A lead machinist job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a lead machinist job description:

   Lead machinist job description example

   At Materion, everyone is included, respected and offered opportunity to grow. Join us!
   
   Under the direction of the Machine Shop Supervisor, the machinist sets up and operates machine tools to produce a target that matches the production orders stating customer's specifications including tolerances and density. Plans and executes assignments using a wide variety of machines such as: lathes, milling machine, drill press and bench grinder to manufacture PVD materials. May operate computer-controlled machine (CNC) and uses precision measuring instruments to check accuracy of work.
   Level 3 Machinist is a Sr. Machinist who has demonstrated the ability to run all machines in the machine shop.
   
   ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
   
   Set up and operate machine tools such as engine lathe, drill press, milling machine, bench grinder and diamond tool grinder.
   
   Read and interpret drawings, blueprints and job instructions to determine procedures and operational sequence and measuring devices such as: micrometers, calipers, dial indicators, verniers, scales and similar tools.
   
   Check measuring devices on a rotational basis using standards established by the Quality Assurance department.
   
   Prepare and maintain necessary production records and reports.
   
   Report equipment malfunctions and assists with routine maintenance and repairs.
   
   Follow all clean-up and housekeeping procedures. Comply with all quality, safety, and work rules and regulations.
   
   Train new employees as needed
   
   Assist fellow coworkers in active problem-solving.
   
   All other duties as assigned by supervisor on a daily basis.
   
   Operate forklift truck to load, unload and move materials. (License required.)
   
   The selection of the person to be hired for this position is contingent on the candidate having export compliance eligibility for access to U.S. controlled technology which comes under the licensing jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of State, International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the U.S. Department of Commerce, Export Administration Regulations (EAR).
   
   The candidate selected will have to qualify as either a U.S. citizen, a U.S. National, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., a Person Admitted into the U.S. as an Asylee or Refugee., a National of a country that is not prohibited from having access to U.S. controlled technology (via a letter of assurance), or a Person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on Materion's determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with Materion's business requirements.
   
   Materion Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) is an equal employment opportunity employer. It is the Company's policy to not unlawfully discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. The Company also prohibits harassment of applicants and employees based on any of these protected categories. It is also the Company's policy to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions. The information collected by this application is solely to determine suitability for employment, verify identity and maintain employment statistics on applicants.
   Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on the Company. Please inform the Company's personnel representative if you need assistance completing any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.
   
   Please provide complete information. An incomplete application may affect your consideration for employment.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find lead machinists for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your lead machinist job on Zippia to find and recruit lead machinist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting lead machinists requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new lead machinist

   Once you've found the lead machinist candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new lead machinist. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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