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Posted: March 18, 2026 (0 days ago)

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MACHINIST (WELDER)

Pacific Air Forces

Department of the Air Force

Fresh

Location

Salary

$87,550 - $101,992

per year

Closes

SES Pay Grade

Base salary range: $147,649 - $221,900

Typical requirements: Executive-level leadership experience. Senior executive qualifications required.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves creating complex metal parts from raw materials using traditional and computer-controlled machines, while also performing advanced welding on various metals for military equipment.

It's ideal for skilled tradespeople who enjoy solving tricky technical problems and working independently in a hands-on environment.

A good fit would be someone with strong experience in machining and welding who thrives in a structured, safety-focused setting like the Air Force.

Key Requirements

  • Ability to perform machinist and welder duties without more than normal supervision (screen-out element)
  • Knowledge of conventional and CNC machine tools including lathes, mills, grinders, and attachments
  • Understanding of metals, alloys, and materials like aluminum, steel, titanium, and their reactions to processes such as heat treating and welding
  • Proficiency in advanced shop mathematics, geometry, trigonometry, blueprint interpretation, and CNC programming
  • Expertise in welding principles, techniques for dissimilar metals, and standards for vehicles and support equipment
  • Skills in using precision measuring instruments like micrometers, calipers, gauges, and in operating tools through full cycles
  • Adherence to safety regulations and ability to maintain hand tools, power tools, jigs, and fixtures

Full Job Description

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

The primary purpose of this position is to manufacture complex and non-routine parts and items of equipment from raw stock of different metals and metal alloys through the use of conventional and/or computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools involving unusual trade problems and requiring a high degree of ingenuity and responsibility.

In order to qualify, you must meet the quality level of experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook X-118C.

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Qualification Standard Handbook X-118C for the WG-3400, Machine Tool Work Group.

Although a specific length of time and experience is not required for most blue-collar positions, you must meet any screen-out element listed, and 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 the quality of experience, not necessarily the length of time.

The screen out element for this position is the ability to do the work of a MACHINIST (WELDER) without more than normal supervision.

JOB ELEMENTS: Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: 1\.

Knowledge of a variety of conventional and computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools such as lathes, vertical, and horizontal boring mills; bench, plain, and universal milling machines; shapers; planers; internal and external grinders, thread cutters, and radial drills; and a variety of machine tool attachments such as rotary vises, magnetic chucks, vertical milling heads, angular drive heads, taper attachments, rotary tables, and others.

2\.

Knowledge of various metals and other materials such as aluminum, brass, bronze, high carbon and alloy steels, chrome, nickel, titanium, nylon, rubber, plastics and teflons, and of the effect and relationship of heat treating, annealing, plating, welding and other related work processes on machining operations in completing an assignment.

3\.

Knowledge of advanced shop mathematics including plane geometry, the use of trigonometric functions and machinist handbook formulas used in laying out work and setting up machine tools, and of blueprints and their interpretation, program readouts and technical directives, the use of shop mathematics, and shop floor programming.

4\.

Knowledge of a wide range of welding principles, processes, and difficult techniques; and of welding standards and how various metals and metal alloys react to different welding processes and techniques used on parts and items on vehicles and all related support equipment.

Ability to weld dissimilar metals including parts and structures that vary in size, shape, and thickness. 5\.

Knowledge of safety regulations, practices, and procedures and skill in using and maintaining hand tools, power tools, and special jigs and fixtures.

Skill in operating CNC machine tools through one complete cycle to manufacture the first part, proof dimensions, check sufficiency of programming, tooling, fixturing, and machine operations, edit programs and make the normal changes required; and recommend changes to programs on deficiencies noted; and in the use of precision measuring instruments and equipment such as vernier calipers; height gauges; squares; protractors; inside, outside, and depth micrometers; surface gauges; vee blocks; parallel bars; internal and external micrometers, vernier height and depth gauges, indicators, scales, and various standard and preset snap, plug, or ring gauges.

6\.

Skill in using conventional machine tools and their attachments to perform machining processes requiring special adaptation of the equipment or for manufacturing, modifying, and repairing tools, parts, and complete items of equipment for vehicles and all related support equipment, using equipment and processes for which they were not specifically designed; and in using special or improvised tools, fixtures, and setups to machine surfaces configurations such as curved surfaces requiring machine feeds in different planes simultaneously, surfaces having closely interrelated dimensions, or surfaces having unusual or compound angular relationships.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work.

You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. PHYSICAL EFFORT: The work requires standing, stooping, kneeling, climbing, bending, and reaching.

Often required to work in hard-to-reach areas on vehicles and equipment.

Frequently handles, lifts, and carries objects weighing up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lifts and moves heavier items with assistance.

WORKING CONDITIONS: Machining work is performed primarily inside in areas that are usually noisy and dirty, and where there is constant danger to the skin and eyes from flying metal chips and abrasive particles; skin irritation from contact with coolants, lubricants, and abrasive compounds; and danger to fingers, hands, and other body parts from cutting tools, grinding wheels, rotating pieces, and moving parts of machines.

Welding work is performed primary inside in areas that are noisy, dirty, and smoky. There is exposure to fumes, heat, flying sparks, the glare of torches, ultraviolet radiation, and hot materials.

There is the possibility of eye injury, electrical shock, burns, broken bones, and the chance of injury when working with sharp objects.

There is discomfort when wearing protective clothing, gloves, shoes, flash shield or eye goggles and other equipment as required. Both duties will require outside work, sometimes in bad weather.

Both duties also require working at heights over four feet when working on top of vehicles and equipment. Major Duties:

  • - Sets up and operates a variety of conventional and/or computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools and performs precision handwork - Uses a variety of welding and cutting processes - Manufactures complex and non-routine parts and items of equipment from raw stock of different metals, metal alloys, and other materials - Uses a variety of precision measuring instruments and equipment - Utilizes safety practices and procedures following established safety rules and regulations and maintains a safe and clean work environment

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Posted on USAJOBS: 3/18/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 3/18/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: 9M-AFPC-12913118-210251-SAC