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Job Description

Overview

The Machinist 3 is a highly skilled, senior-level position responsible for setting up, operating, and troubleshooting complex machine tools to produce precision parts and components. This role requires interpreting advanced blueprints and technical specifications while ensuring high-quality production within tight tolerances.

Responsibilities

  • Adhere to all engineering instructions, standard operation procedures, and departmental procedures.
  • Perform machine setups on manual lathes, manual mills, CNC lathes, CNC mills, and Waterjet machines with minimal assistance.
  • Maintain the work area and equipment in a clean and orderly condition while following safety regulations.
  • Perform preventative maintenance on machines as required by the company's P.M. Program.
  • Read and interpret blueprints and drawings for all processes and programs.
  • Ensure knowledge of machine safety, job orders, and standard measuring tools.
  • Verify gage calibration and machine fixturing for setups.
  • Demonstrate thorough knowledge of CNC programming/languages and Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerances.
  • Assist in training junior machinists and lead improvement initiatives.
  • Collaborate with engineering and quality teams to resolve technical issues.

Requirements

  • High school diploma or GED required.
  • 7+ years' experience working with Manual and/or CNC machines.
  • Ability to follow written and verbal instructions in English.
  • Must have math skills and be able to use handheld measuring tools.
  • Strong understanding of CNC programming, tooling, and materials.
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How this job compares in Houston, TX

Pay in context

This employer didn't publish a rate. For reference, welding jobs in Houston, TX currently run a median of $25/hr in our index, with the middle half of them falling between $22–$32/hr across 77 postings with published pay. That median is a reasonable floor to anchor on when a recruiter asks what you're looking for.

The local market in Houston, TX

We're tracking 329 other active welding openings in Houston, TX right now, from 194 different employers. 126 of them were added in the last week. Across Texas as a whole we're tracking 1,339 other active welding openings from 721 employers. A metro this active generally means you have real leverage — employers here are competing for the same welders. Browse every welding job in Houston, or widen the search to Texas.

General Plastics & Composites LP currently has 4 other openings live in Texas, which is usually a sign of either steady growth or steady turnover — worth asking which in the interview.

The most active employers in Texas at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are Welding Shop in Houston, TX (27), Zachry Group (22), and Austin Industries (16). Volume like that usually means either a genuine expansion or a staffing agency working several client sites — worth knowing which before you apply.

Within Texas, the best-paying metros we track by median hourly rate are Pasadena at $40/hr, Arlington at $39/hr, and Midlothian at $38/hr. If you can relocate or commute, that spread is worth factoring in.

Similar openings near Houston, TX

Pay figures are medians computed from live postings in the Welding Pros index, not from survey data, and they move as employers post. Machinist 3 figures were last recalculated when this page was built.