Department of the Navy

MACHINIST

Naval Business Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Full time

MACHINIST

Department: Department of the Navy

Location(s): Naval Business Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Salary Range: $31.79 - $37.14 Per Hour

Job Summary: You will serve as a MACHINIST in the Machine Shop Branch (Code 1440.2), Production Division (Code 1440), Naval Foundry and Propeller Center (Code1400) (NFPC) of NORFOLK NAVAL SHIPYARD.

Major Duties:

  • You will perform precision machining, assembly, fitting, aligning, and finishing operations to meet exacting specifications and tolerances, ensuring the proper functionality and reliability of propellers and their components.
  • You will set up and operate a variety of machines and machine tools, including various types and sizes of lathes, boring mills, milling machines, drill presses, shapers, planers, precision grinders, handheld grinders and sanders.
  • You will perform complex set-ups, layouts, gauging, precise alignments, and measurements of work pieces on machines and layout tables utilizing various layout and precision measurement instruments.
  • You will select, maintain, and align tooling required.
  • You will assure a part programs cutter path corresponds to a propeller’s geometric requirement.
  • You will measure and manufacture a propeller on a floorplate, using handheld pneumatic grinders and sanders.
  • You will make individual fit of parts by locating points of contact and clearance with the use of Prussian blue or a similar marking material and scraping down high points with hand tools.
  • You will use surface plates, gage blocks, sine bars, height and surface gages, scales, dividing head, and similar services.
  • You will set up appropriate machine and related equipment, such as dividing heads, taper attachments, jigs, fixtures, boring heads, rotary tables, and the gearing to perform designed operations.
  • You will select appropriate cutting tools and installs and align them in the machine.
  • You will operate various machines controlling speed and feed, bringing various tools to bear in successive operations, making various test cuts, roughing cuts, and finishing cuts as necessary.
  • You will perform grinding operations and hand-finishes items to precise tolerances, ensuring exact specifications are met.
  • You will check dimensions at various stages using precision measurement equipment such as height gages, depth gages, calipers, Vernier’s, dial indicators, and micrometers of various types.

Qualifications: Although a specific length of time and experience is not required for most trade and labor occupations, you must show through experience and training that you possess the quality level of knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of the position at the level for which you are applying. Qualification requirements emphasis is on quality of experience, not necessarily the length of time. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the job elements and screen out listed below. This job has a screen-out element which will be used to determine minimum eligibility for this job. Applicants who do not receive a minimum of two points on the screen-out element(s) will be found ineligible. The Screen-out Element for this position is: ABILITY TO DO THE WORK OF THE POSITION WITHOUT MORE THAN NORMAL SUPERVISION such as: understanding theories, principals, practices, and techniques of the toolmaker and machinist trades as related to propeller and casting manufacturing; understanding the properties and machinability of numerous metals and other material necessary to achieve the desired cuts, surfaces, and finishes for each metal; verifying dimensions at various stages using precision measuring instruments, such as calipers, Vernier instruments, dial indicators, micrometers and other precision measuring devices; informing immediate supervisor or higher level management of the status and progress of the work being performed; assisting the immediate supervisor in scoping of work packages with respect to all pertinent documents, references or instructions; performing hand-finishing operations to achieve exact specifications, ensuring all completed products adhere to technical and quality requirements; advising the supervisor regarding any training requirements needed by personnel to further the productivity of the group performing in-progress and final checks on the employees to ensure that all work and quality requirements are met throughout the process; interpreting technical work documents and selecting tools to setting up equipment, machining parts, and competing final inspections, ensuring all products meet specified quality standards; observing that all safety rules and regulations are being followed; ensures safe work practices and good housekeeping while assuring timely tool, equipment, material, and procedure availability; utilizing a broad range of shop tools and equipment used to fit, finish and assemble machined components to precise tolerances; communicate effectively with subordinates; interpreting technical work documents and selecting tools to setting up equipment, machining parts, and competing final inspections, ensuring all products meet specified quality standards. Applicants must meet the requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Job Qualification Handbook for Trades and Labor Occupations. Additional qualification information can be found at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/federal-wage-system-qualifications/#url=List-of-Approved-Job-Elements Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

How to Apply: Click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: 1. Complete resume with relevant experience, job title, duties and accomplishments. Resumes are restricted to no more than 2 pages. Illegible/unreadable resumes will not be considered. Your resume must show complete information for each job entry to support minimum qualifications. The following information should be provided in your resume, but it is acceptable to provide elsewhere in your application package: employer's name, starting and end dates (Mo/Yr), hours per week if experience was less than full time (35-40 hours per week), and pay plan, series and grade level (e.g. GS-0201-09) for relevant federal experience. TIP: A good way to ensure you include all essential information is to use the Resume Builder in USAJOBS to create your resume. 2. Complete assessment questionnaire. For a quick preview of the assessment questionnaire click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12900070 3. Supporting documentation Failure to submit a complete application package will result in an ineligible rating and loss of consideration. Your complete application (resume, assessment questionnaire, and all supporting documents) must be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 03/16/2026. Applications received after 03/16/2026 will generally result in an ineligible rating and loss of consideration. If more than one resume is received, only the last resume received and processed will be reviewed. NOTE: To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account: https://mydon.usajobs.gov/Account/Login select Application Status, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process so please plan appropriately. You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. Do not email or send hard copy resumes/applications to the Contact Information or Agency Information listed in this vacancy announcement. All resumes/applications received at the addresses listed in the Contact Information or Agency Information will be destroyed and will not be considered for this vacancy announcement. It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that all information in their resume and documents are legible and accurate. HR will not modify answers/documents submitted by an applicant.

Application Deadline: 2026-03-16