CNC & Manual Machinist II
Build More Than Parts. Help Build Machines.
Farris Automation is a growing manufacturing and engineering company with two complementary capabilities: a Custom Automation Division and a Precision CNC Machining Division.
We design and build turnkey automated assembly and test systems for customers in the automotive, heavy industrial, agricultural, and food-service industries. Our machining team supports those automation projects while also producing tight-tolerance components for local and regional OEM customers.
What makes machining at Farris different is the variety.
This is not a repetitive production environment where you run the same part every day. Our machinists work on prototypes, one-off components, short production runs, custom fixtures, replacement parts, and precision components used directly in automated machinery.
New parts, materials, setups, and technical challenges are part of the job.
If you enjoy figuring out how to make difficult parts, taking ownership of your work, and seeing the components you machine become part of a complete working system, you’ll fit in well here.
At Farris Automation, we value craftsmanship, accuracy, accountability, practical problem-solving, and pride in a job well done.
About the Position
Farris Automation is seeking an experienced CNC & Manual Machinist II to join our machining team.
This is a hands-on position for a machinist who is comfortable working independently, setting up their own jobs, solving machining challenges, and taking responsibility for finished-part quality.
You’ll spend most of your time setting up and operating Haas CNC mills and lathes, along with ProtoTRAK and conventional manual machines. You’ll also have opportunities to work alongside our engineers, designers, assemblers, and automation specialists on custom machinery.
That may mean machining a precision component in the morning, modifying a fixture in the afternoon, and helping troubleshoot the fit of a machine assembly later in the week.
For the right machinist, it’s an opportunity to continue expanding your skills in setup, programming, CNC machining, manual machining, fixturing, inspection, machine assembly, and real-world problem-solving.
What You’ll Do
- Independently set up and operate Haas CNC mills and lathes.
- Machine prototypes, one-off components, replacement parts, and low-volume production runs.
- Operate ProtoTRAK and conventional manual mills and lathes.
- Read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, assembly drawings, and machining documentation.
- Plan machining sequences and determine appropriate tooling, workholding, speeds, and feeds.
- Make basic CNC program changes using G-code and M-code.
- Assist with offline CNC programming when qualified.
- Develop or modify basic fixtures and workholding solutions for custom parts.
- Inspect completed parts using precision measuring equipment.
- Verify dimensions, tolerances, surface finishes, fits, and overall part quality.
- Complete inspection reports and quality documentation when required.
- Work directly with engineers, designers, assemblers, and other machinists to solve manufacturing challenges.
- Modify or rework components to improve the fit, function, or performance of automated equipment.
- Assist with the mechanical assembly, fitting, modification, and troubleshooting of custom automation systems when needed.
- Safely operate general toolroom equipment including saws, presses, surface grinders, and related machinery.
- Maintain machines, tooling, measuring equipment, and work areas in a safe and organized condition.
What Your Typical Week Looks Like
Approximately:
- 70% — CNC machining: setup and machining using Haas mills and lathes
- 20% — Manual machining: ProtoTRAK and conventional mills and lathes
- 10% — Custom automation: equipment assembly, modification, fitting, and troubleshooting
The exact mix varies with our current machining and automation projects — which is part of what keeps the work interesting.
What We’re Looking For
We’re looking for a machinist with strong fundamentals who can take a print, develop a plan, set up the machine, make the part, inspect the result, and stand behind the quality of their work.
Required Qualifications
- 5+ years of hands-on experience operating manual mills and lathes.
- 1–2+ years of CNC machining, training, programming, or program-modification experience.
- Ability to independently complete machine setups and take ownership of part quality and accuracy.
- Ability to read and interpret blueprints, engineering drawings, assembly drawings, and geometric tolerances.
- Working knowledge of machining fits and tolerances, including press fits, slip fits, and clearance fits.
- Knowledge of cutting tools, tool selection, workholding methods, and workholding devices.
- Familiarity with machining common metals and selecting appropriate tooling, speeds, and feeds.
- Experience using precision inspection equipment such as micrometers, calipers, indicators, height gauges, and bore gauges.
- Experience operating general toolroom equipment including saws, presses, and surface grinders.
- Strong mechanical aptitude and practical problem-solving ability.
- Ability to safely lift and handle materials or components weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with engineers, assemblers, and other machinists.
- Dependable attendance, strong personal accountability, and consistent attention to quality.
- Willingness to learn new machining technologies, equipment, software, and manufacturing processes.
- Basic personal machinist tools appropriate for the position.
Even Better If You Have Experience With
- CNC lathe setup and operation.
- Haas CNC mills and lathes.
- Writing or modifying G-code and M-code programs.
- Offline CNC programming.
- Mastercam.
- ProtoTRAK mills or lathes.
- Custom fixturing.
- Prototype and one-off machining.
- Short-run, high-mix job-shop manufacturing.
- Machining components for custom machinery or automated equipment.
- Custom machine assembly, fitting, modification, or troubleshooting.
Strong machining fundamentals matter most. Candidates with solid setup skills and G-code/M-code experience may be trained on Mastercam and other programming systems.
What We Offer
- Three weeks of vacation
- Paid holidays
- Flexible scheduling to help accommodate family and personal needs
- Compensatory time opportunities, where applicable
- Health insurance
- Dental and vision insurance
- Employer-sponsored life insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Training on new equipment, software, machining methods, and manufacturing technologies
- A positive, team-oriented work environment
- The variety and responsibility that comes with working in a growing company of approximately 20–30 employees
- Opportunities to expand your skills across CNC machining, manual machining, programming, custom automation, equipment assembly, and troubleshooting
- The satisfaction of seeing parts you machined installed directly into custom machines and manufacturing systems
Why Farris Automation?
Because good machinists should get to do more than load parts and press Cycle Start.
At Farris Automation, your experience matters.
You’ll work on parts that require thought, judgment, and craftsmanship. You’ll interact directly with the people designing and assembling the equipment. When something doesn’t fit, function, or perform the way it should, you’ll have the opportunity to help solve the problem — not simply pass it down the line.
The components you machine may become part of a custom fixture, automated assembly station, test system, repair solution, or production machine operating on a customer’s factory floor.
You’ll be able to see where your work goes and how it contributes to the finished product.
If you take pride in making accurate parts, enjoy solving new machining challenges, and want to continue growing your skills in a small, established, engineering-driven manufacturing company, we’d like to hear from you.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $28.00 - $38.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Can you read blue prints and use standard measuring tools like calipers, micrometers, and dial indicators?
Experience:
- CNC Lathe an/or Mill: 5 years (Required)
Work Location: In person
