Machinist I (2nd Shift, M-F 2PM-10PM)

Woodward, Inc.

📍Zeeland, MI
Posted May 18, 2026

Job Overview

Position

Machinist I (2nd Shift, M-F 2PM-10PM)

Company

Woodward, Inc.

Location

Zeeland, MI

Work Type

On-site

Job ID

li-4404685865

Job Description

Woodward is committed to creating a great workplace for all team members. Our company and its members are committed to acting with integrity, being respectful and accountable to one another, and staying humble and driven, while maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards.

We are steadfastly committed to attracting the best talent across our communities creating a rewarding workplace. Together we are fulfilling our purpose to design and deliver energy control solutions our partners count on to power a clean future.

Woodward supports our members’ wellbeing and regularly benchmarks with other companies in our industry to offer an extensive Total Reward package for this position.
Salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Estimated annual base pay:

  • Machinist 1- $23.00+ (DOE)

  • Machinist 2- $25.00+ (DOE)

  • Hours: 2nd Shift, Monday through Friday 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM

  • 1st Week of Training: Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

All Levels are eligible for the benefits below:

  • All members included in annual cash bonus opportunity.

  • 401(k) match (4.5%)

  • Annual Woodward stock contribution (5%)

  • Tuition reimbursement and Training/Professional Development opportunities for all members

  • 12 paid holidays, including floating holidays.

  • Industry leading medical, dental, and vision Insurance upon date of hire

  • Vacation / Sick Time / Vacation Buy-up / Short Term Disability / Bereavement leave.

  • Paid parental leave.

  • Adoption Assistance

  • Employee Assistance Program, including mental health benefits.

  • Member Life & AD&D / Long Term Disability / Member Optional Life

  • Member referral bonus

  • Spouse / Child Optional Life / Optional AD&D / Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending

  • Voluntary benefits, including:

+ Home / Auto Insurance discounts
+ Whole Life Insurance / Critical Illness Insurance / Legal Assistance / Military Leave

Are you ready to make your mark? If you’re a
Machinist I, a II
, we have an exciting opportunity for you.

  • This role involves operating CNC and manual machining equipment (e.g., Lathes, Mills, Swiss, OD/ID Grinders) to produce precision metal parts, performing inspections, and adhering to quality standards and safety protocols. Key responsibilities include interpreting engineering blueprints, following detailed work instructions, maintaining workstation organization using 5S principles, and collaborating effectively with team members. The ideal candidate possesses mechanical aptitude, strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, time management abilities, and proficiency in basic computer software. A lean mindset and a commitment to continuous improvement are essential for success in this position.

What You Will Be Doing:

  • Machine Operation:

  • Performs basic Set up and operates multiple CNC or Manual (Lathes/Milling/Swiss/Grinding-OD/ID) machines, and other machinery to produce precision metal parts according to specifications.

  • Performs supporting operations (ex. manual material removal, sub-assembly, etc.) while following established procedures.

  • Performs 1st piece inspections and may be required to train in these processes.

  • Process Adherence: Follows detailed work instructions to maintain production efficiency and accuracy. Ability to interpret engineering blueprints and basic GD&T knowledge.

  • Quality Control: Uses various gages to inspect finished products to ensure compliance with quality standards. Records and maintains data per operating standards (SOP).

  • Organization & Cleanliness: Proactively applies 5S principles, identifies opportunities to improve workstation organization and cleanliness, and ensures compliance with team standards. Assists in implementing new organizational practices as directed.

  • Safety Mindset: Encourages adherence to safety protocols within the team.

What We Are Looking For
:

  • Machinist I:

  • 0-2 years’ experience in related work or applicable degree

  • General knowledge of machines and equipment functionality, and how tools could be used on such equipment/machines. This includes the ability to learn new systems quickly, understanding how parts relate, and how they impact system functionality.

  • Knowledge of CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) programming/machining including the ability to read, understand, edit basic programs and/or basic knowledge of one or more of the following skills - grinding, turning, milling, drilling.

  • Machinist II:

  • 2-5 years' experience in related work

  • Knowledge of and ability to apply inspection techniques (e.g., formalized inspection standards, inspection instructions, best practices) and use inspection tools efficiently. The ability to read and use micrometers, functional and cylindrical gauges, comparators, indicator setups, calibration stickers and scales.

  • Intermediate ability to read, interpret and use the information presented in drawings, diagrams and blueprints to determine appropriate activities, tools, and next steps in the production process.

  • Intermediate knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing such as perpendicularity, parallelism, flatness. This includes the ability to interpret tolerances on prints and perform inspection techniques. This includes the ability to interpret datum structures, material condition tolerances, orientation tolerances.

  • Knowledge of CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) programming/machining including the ability to read, understand, edit basic programs and/or basic knowledge of one or more of the following skills - grinding, turning, milling, drilling.

  • General knowledge of machines and equipment functionality, and how tools could be used on such equipment/machines. This includes the ability to learn new systems quickly, understanding how parts relate, and how they impact system functionality. This also includes process optimization or the ability to identify opportunities to improve current production processes and to implement the necessary steps for the improvements.

  • The ability to define, diagnose, and resolve problems. This includes the ability to acquire and apply new knowledge and skills and the ability to integrate knowledge of current resources and constraints, priorities and manufacturing processes.

Successful candidates typically have:

  • High School Diploma, or GED Equivalent

  • 1- 3+ years of CNC Machining experience

This position requires use of information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).   All applicants must be U.S. Persons within the meaning of the ITAR and EAR, or eligible to obtain all required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce. The ITAR defines a U.S. Person as a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident (i.e., 'Green Card holder'), or a protected person (e.g., asylee, or refugee).

Woodward is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other category protected under federal, state, or local laws.

Interview Prep

AI-powered insights to help you prepare

Key Skills

Required:
Preferred:

Practice Questions

💡Technical Questions (3)
  • 1.Can you walk me through your process for performing a first piece inspection on a CNC lathe, and why is it so critical?
  • 2.How do you use basic GD&T knowledge when interpreting an engineering blueprint to set up a manual or CNC mill?
  • 3.If you notice your CNC machine is producing parts that are drifting out of tolerance halfway through a run, what steps do you take?
🎯Behavioral Questions (3)
  • 1.Tell me about a time you identified an opportunity to improve workstation organization using 5S principles.
  • 2.Describe a situation where you had to collaborate with team members to solve a machining or quality issue.
  • 3.Give me an example of a time you caught a potential safety hazard before it caused an injury.
🧩Situational Questions (2)
  • 1.It is 7:30 PM on your 2nd shift, and your machine goes down. You have a production quota to meet, but maintenance is busy on another line. What do you do?
  • 2.You are running multiple machines and performing manual material removal simultaneously. How do you manage your time to ensure quality and safety aren't compromised?

Resume Keywords

Make sure these keywords appear on your resume

CNC MachiningManual LatheBlueprint InterpretationGD&TFirst Piece Inspection5SPrecision GagesLean ManufacturingContinuous ImprovementSOP ComplianceMechanical AptitudeQuality Control

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