Superintendent, Machine Shop

American Hydro is a leading provider in the hydropower generation industry, specializing in the design, manufacturing, and installation of custom hydro turbines. Based in York, Pennsylvania, we support renewable energy projects by delivering reliable, high-quality solutions that power communities sustainably. Our work is guided by core values of safety, urgency, one team, community, integrity, and a can-do attitude. At American Hydro, we foster a collaborative, hands-on environment where employees take pride in their craftsmanship, support one another, and make a meaningful impact in advancing clean energy.

Position Summary & Objective

The Machine Shop Superintendent is responsible for the safe, efficient, and effective operation of the machine shop, ensuring the production of high-quality products while meeting customer delivery requirements and business objectives. This position provides leadership, direction, and development for supervisors, team leaders, machinists, and support personnel while driving operational excellence through continuous improvement initiatives. The Superintendent fosters a culture of safety, accountability, quality, teamwork, and continuous improvement while optimizing productivity, controlling costs, and developing the next generation of manufacturing talent.

Accountabilities:

• Execution of personnel development plans
• Timely implementation of improvement initiatives
• Planned work is executed on-time and within budget
• Quality meets customer expectations

Essential Functions:

Leadership & People Management

• Provide leadership and daily direction to machine shop personnel.
• Build and maintain a culture focused on safety, quality, accountability, and performance.
• Coach, mentor, and develop supervisors, leads, and machinists to enhance technical and leadership capabilities.
• Conduct performance evaluations and establish development plans for employees.
• Manage employee relations issues and resolve workplace conflicts in a timely and professional manner.
• Identify succession planning opportunities and develop internal talent pipelines.
• Promote employee engagement through effective communication and recognition programs.

Safety Leadership

• Champion a zero-incident safety culture.
• Ensure compliance with all OSHA, company, and environmental health and safety requirements.
• Conduct routine safety audits, observations, and risk assessments.
• Lead incident investigations and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Ensure proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and safe work practices.

Operations Management

• Direct daily machine shop operations to achieve production schedules and customer delivery commitments.
• Manage labor utilization, staffing levels, and resource allocation.
• Monitor shop capacity and address bottlenecks to maximize throughput.
• Coordinate activities with production planning, engineering, maintenance, quality, and supply chain teams.
• Ensure efficient use of equipment, tooling, materials, and manpower.
• Drive operational performance initiatives focused on productivity, quality, and cost reduction.

Quality Management

• Ensure products are manufactured in accordance with specifications, drawings, and customer requirements.
• Promote a culture of quality ownership throughout the organization.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action efforts for quality issues.
• Monitor key quality metrics and drive improvements in first pass yield and defect reduction.
• Ensure compliance with applicable quality management systems and procedures.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead Lean Manufacturing initiatives including 5S, Kaizen, standard work, and waste elimination activities.
• Utilize data and performance metrics to identify improvement opportunities.
• Drive process optimization projects that improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance.
• Support implementation of new technologies, equipment, and manufacturing processes.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure operational effectiveness.

Financial & Business Management

• Manage departmental budgets and control operating expenses.
• Monitor labor efficiency, overtime utilization, and productivity performance.
• Support cost reduction initiatives and operational efficiency improvements.
• Assist in capital equipment planning and investment decisions.
• Evaluate return on investment for improvement projects and resource expenditures.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• People leadership; Time management; Critical thinking; Conflict resolution; Problem solving
• Effective communication; Priority management; Staff development; Managing performance; Interpersonal skills; Integrity
• CNC machining operations; Blueprint reading and GD&T interpretation; Manufacturing process optimization
• Ability to apply the concepts of basic algebra and geometry as they are utilized in the calculating machining processes. 
• Scheduling systems/tools; Tooling and fixture development
• Production planning and scheduling
• Root cause analysis
• ERP/MRP systems
• Equipment maintenance coordination
• Quality management systems
• Lean Manufacturing methodologies

Required Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED required; Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field preferred.
• Hydro experienced preferred
• Minimum 7-10 years of manufacturing or machining experience.
• Minimum 3-5 years of progressive leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of CNC machining, precision manufacturing, tooling, and machining processes.
• Experience leading large production teams in a safety, quality and on time delivery focused manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated success improving safety, quality, productivity, and employee engagement.

Licenses or Certifications Required

• Journeyman Machinist Preferred

Environment and Working Conditions

• Manufacturing and machine shop environment.
• Frequent interaction with production equipment and personnel.
• Ability to walk production floor for extended periods.
• Occasional lifting, climbing, and use of personal protective equipment required.
• May require occasional off-shift support, weekend work, or emergency response.
• Exposure to loud noises (examples: metal can manufacture department, large earth-moving equipment)

Travel Requirements (percent)

• Up to 5%

Disclaimer

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Industrious Group and its subsidiaries is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law. All employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit and business need.