Senior Automated Equipment Operator (Contract)
Build the future, spark innovation, and align your career with purpose.
McKinstry is innovating the waste and climate harm out of the built environment and creating lasting impact. Together, we’re building a thriving planet.
Buildings are a leading contributor to the climate crisis, generating nearly 40% of total global energy-related carbon emissions. We’re making a lasting impact on our industry and within our communities by addressing the climate, affordability, and equity crises through:
The Opportunity with McKinstry
We’re hiring a Senior Automated Equipment Operator to lead technical operations at McKinstry’s Spokane facility. Beyond day-to-day machine operation, you’ll own equipment programming, advanced troubleshooting, process improvement, and QA/QC — and help develop the operators around you.
What You’ll Be Doing
The McKinstry group of companies are equal opportunity employers. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, race, color, creed, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other basis protected by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to employment, advancement, assignment, and training. This commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity is made equally as a social responsibility and as an economic and business necessity.
McKinstry is a drug-free workplace. Employment is contingent upon successfully passing a pre-employment drug and alcohol test, complying with the requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act and a Confidentiality Agreement, in addition to successful outcomes of background and reference checks.
Applicants for this role will only be considered if they possess current US Work Authorization, and do not require employer-sponsored VISA support to begin or remain in this role.
McKinstry is innovating the waste and climate harm out of the built environment and creating lasting impact. Together, we’re building a thriving planet.
Buildings are a leading contributor to the climate crisis, generating nearly 40% of total global energy-related carbon emissions. We’re making a lasting impact on our industry and within our communities by addressing the climate, affordability, and equity crises through:
- Renewables and energy services
- Engineering and design
- Construction and facility services
The Opportunity with McKinstry
We’re hiring a Senior Automated Equipment Operator to lead technical operations at McKinstry’s Spokane facility. Beyond day-to-day machine operation, you’ll own equipment programming, advanced troubleshooting, process improvement, and QA/QC — and help develop the operators around you.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Prep, set up, and operate automated fabrication equipment (T-Drill, CNC, Tiger Stop, pan washer) to produce precision pipe components per engineering specs
- Own CNC programming — teaming with engineering to write, edit, and optimize equipment capabilities and validate NPD; maintain a library of standardized programs and setup sheets for repeatable production
- Perform in-depth troubleshooting of mechanical, electrical, and software issues; identify root causes and implement lasting fixes
- Lead preventive maintenance and maintain detailed equipment logs to minimize unplanned downtime
- Drive continuous improvement — analyze OEE, cycle times, and scrap rates; implement changes that push equipment to peak performance
- Conduct in-process and final QA/QC inspections; enforce dimensional tolerances and ASME/ASTM standards; manage non-conformances through root cause and corrective action
- Mentor and train junior operators; develop onboarding materials, SOPs, and reference documentation
- Read and interpret blueprints, P&IDs, and GD&T drawings; uphold all safety, PPE, and lockout/tagout requirements
- 5+ years in CNC machine operation or pipe fabrication, with hands-on programming experience (G-code and/or conversational)
- Proven ability to troubleshoot complex equipment issues and lead root cause analysis
- Experience with QA/QC inspections, metrology tools, and quality documentation
- Background in continuous improvement (lean, kaizen, 5S, or similar)
- Comfortable training and mentoring others in a production environment
- Able to read blueprints, P&IDs, and technical drawings; strong attention to detail
- T-Drill equipment experience (highly preferred)
- CNC certification or formal machining/programming training
- OSHA 10/30, AWS welding cert, or familiarity with ASME/ASTM standards
- Fully onsite in Spokane — hands-on, equipment-focused role with high autonomy
- Team-oriented environment with a strong focus on quality, safety, and operational excellence
- Long-term contract with potential for extension based on performance
The McKinstry group of companies are equal opportunity employers. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, race, color, creed, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other basis protected by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to employment, advancement, assignment, and training. This commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity is made equally as a social responsibility and as an economic and business necessity.
McKinstry is a drug-free workplace. Employment is contingent upon successfully passing a pre-employment drug and alcohol test, complying with the requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act and a Confidentiality Agreement, in addition to successful outcomes of background and reference checks.
Applicants for this role will only be considered if they possess current US Work Authorization, and do not require employer-sponsored VISA support to begin or remain in this role.