Manual Bullard Operator

Market-Competitive Compensation with Robust Benefits Offering

Position Summary

The Manual Bullard Operator sets up and operates Bullard-style manual vertical turret lathes (VTLs) to machine medium to large aerospace components to close tolerances. The operator independently plans setups, safely loads and secures work on the rotating table, selects and positions turret and side-head tooling, establishes speeds and feeds, and performs in-process inspection. This role requires strong knowledge of vertical turning, boring, facing, workholding, machine geometry, and aerospace quality and traceability requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Set up and operate manual Bullard vertical turret lathes to perform facing, outside and inside turning, boring, drilling, reaming, grooving, chamfering, profiling, tapering, and related operations on production parts.
• Interpret and follow work instructions and operation sheets to machine and inspect parts
• Use table jaws, fixtures, clamps, stops, turret tooling, boring bars, inserts, and cutting tools.
• Locate, center, indicate, level, and securely clamp workpieces on the VTL table; confirm clearance, balance, clamping force, and swing envelope before starting the machine.
• Machine aerospace alloys and materials that may include nickel-based superalloys, titanium, stainless steels, alloy steels, aluminum, and other specified materials.
• Measure work using outside and inside micrometers, large-diameter measuring devices, bore gauges, depth micrometers, dial indicators, height gauges, pi tapes, surface-finish comparators, and other precision instruments.
• Perform first-piece and in-process inspections; verify datums, runout, flatness, concentricity, parallelism, diameters, depths, thicknesses, and surface finishes; document results as required.
• Maintain part and material identity, heat-lot and serial-number traceability, routers, inspection records, production transactions, and other controlled documentation.
• Perform routine machine checks, lubrication, cleaning, and basic troubleshooting; inspect table jaws, clamps, guards, controls, and lifting interfaces before use.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent experience.
• Three or more years of recent experience setting up and operating manual vertical turret lathes; direct Bullard experience strongly preferred.
• Experience using turret and side-head tooling, large boring bars, manual stops, feeds, and speed controls.
• Ability to read blueprints and apply GD&T, dimensional tolerances, surface-finish requirements, and inspection criteria.
• Working knowledge of shop mathematics, including decimals, fractions, geometry, trigonometry, and calculations for speeds, feeds, angles, diameters, and depths.
• Proficiency with precision measuring equipment used for large-diameter and close-tolerance components.
• Ability to qualify for and follow company requirements governing cranes, hoists, rigging, and material handling.
• Ability to document work accurately, communicate clearly, and work independently with limited supervision.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience operating Bullard Cutmaster, Dynatrol, Spiral Drive, Man-Au-Trol, or comparable manual VTL equipment.
• Technical school, apprenticeship, or journeyperson training in machining or toolmaking.
• Experience machining aerospace rings, cases, housings, flanges, forgings, castings, or other large precision components.
• Experience with nickel-based superalloys, titanium, stainless steels, and distortion-sensitive or interrupted-cut applications.
• Experience working within AS9100, ISO 9001, NADCAP-supporting, or comparable regulated quality systems.

Qualified candidates may forward their résumé along with a completed application form to apply in person at Electro-Methods, Inc. 330 Governors Hwy, South Windsor, CT 06074.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.