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This position has closed. Sonoco removed this listing from their careers page on Oct 6, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Machinist

Sonoco · Milwaukee, WI · Full time

Posted Aug 6, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 5, 2026

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time a part you made did not fit. What did you do?

What they are checking: Whether they own errors and figure out what went wrong rather than blaming the print.

Have you done monthly safety inspections or investigated accidents? Tell me about it.

What they are checking: Whether they are ready to take part in safety duties the posting lists for this role.

What would you do

A line is down and waiting on a part you are making. How do you balance speed and accuracy?

What they are checking: Whether they stay accurate under pressure, since a rushed bad part means more downtime.

The schedule is 6pm to 6am on a 3-4-4-3 rotation. How do you stay sharp on twelve-hour nights?

What they are checking: Whether they can stay safe and precise over long overnight shifts at the machine.

How do you keep your work area organized and clean on a busy shift?

What they are checking: Whether they keep good housekeeping, which matters for both safety and food safety audits.

About the work

Tell me about the machines you have run, like lathes, mills or grinders, and the kinds of parts you made.

What they are checking: Whether their machining experience fits making and repairing parts for production equipment.

Walk me through making a replacement part when all you have is the worn-out original and no drawing.

What they are checking: Whether they can measure, account for wear and produce a part that fits and lasts.

How do you read a blueprint and check tolerances on a finished part?

What they are checking: Whether they are precise with measuring tools and understand what tolerances mean for fit.

The plant follows SQF food safety guidelines. How does that affect how a machinist works?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that chips, oils and loose materials can contaminate food packaging.

What safety practices do you follow every time you set up a machine?

What they are checking: Whether they consistently use guards, eye protection and lockout, as plant directives require.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Sonoco from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Sonoco.

Position: Machinist Location: Milwaukee, WI Wage: $39.19 plus $1.00/hour shift differential Schedule: Night shift 6pm - 6am, 3/4/4/3 Schedule From a small family business to a multi-billion dollar global company, Sonoco has been changing the face of products and packaging since 1899 — all while keeping the heart of “People Build Businesses” alive. Our talented people are at the core of our growth, constantly reinventing the Sonoco wheel with brilliant solutions every year. Today we are a world leader in global packaging solutions with diversified operations in over 34 countries. We're extremely proud of our portfolio of brands, our achievements in sustainability and industrialization and the groundbreaking work accomplished by our people. What You’ll Be Doing: • Complies with established job safety practices, policies and procedures as specified in plant and corporate directives for the safe performance of the work assignment. • Responsible for maintaining a safe and secure work environment. This includes correcting unsafe acts/conditions, participating in monthly safety meetings, performing monthly safety inspections, and investigating accidents, as required. • Supports and follows the SQF (Safe Quality Food) guidelines of the food safety system. • Follows company policies, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), practices, and Sonoco’s Global Code of Conduct. • Reviews blueprints and work orders. Creates drawings or sketches of parts to be made or repaired. • Interprets drawings, calculates and determines indices, tapers and other dimensions to be used for part(s). • Performs layout work as required. • Performs on-the-job training and development of assigned personnel. • Receives tools and paperwork; establishes and maintains logbooks. • Selects, grinds, and adjusts tools, speeds and feed rates for efficient machining. Machines parts to precision requirements of tolerance and finish. • Sets up and operates machine tools, lathes, grinders, mills and hones. • Performs dismantling, fitting and assembly work required for maintenance of production equipment. • Repairs and maintains all assigned machines and equipment. • Assists in inspection of tooling and operates inspection equipment. • Complies with environmental regulations when using, dispensing, or handling hazardous and non-hazardous materials and wastes. • Other duties as assigned. We’d Love to Hear From You If: • Working knowledge of the following areas – standard machine shop and tool and die practices; knowledge of metallurgy; knowledge of terminology of assigned equipment • Ability to read blue prints • Ability to demonstrate skills relating to tool and die work. • Ability to work with basic math, algebra, geometry and trigonometry. • Ability to operate and functionally use a computer. • Ability to wear appropriate safety glasses, hearing protection, clothing and footwear in appropriate areas and follow safety practices • Broad training in a related field usually acquired through high school education, General Education Development (GED) or through equivalent work experience. • 2 years of job-related experience. At Sonoco Products Company, we offer a comprehensive total rewards package, including competitive pay and benefits. *Benefits listed below are for employees located in the U.S. Specific benefits and wellbeing programs may vary depending on your location (within the U.S. or global), or if you are a union employee. Benefits • Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, including FSA and HSA options • 401(k) retirement plan with company match • Wellbeing tools and resources to support holistic health, including an Employee Assistance Program with a variety of services • Paid time off and holidays to recreate, rejuvenate and care for the health of yourself and family • Variety of company paid and voluntary employee-paid insurance plans including life, personal accident, and disability insurance • Tuition reimbursement We are an equal opportunity employer, and we strictly prohibit and do not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any legally protected characteristic.

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