Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced and dependable CNC Lathe Setup / Operator who can be handed a part drawing and take the job from start to finish with minimal supervision.
This is not an entry-level operator position. We are looking for a true setup person who understands the entire machining process—from reviewing the print and selecting tooling to setting up the machine, proving out the program, producing the part, inspecting it, and making adjustments necessary to hold tolerance throughout the production run.
Experience with both Haas and Okuma CNC lathe controls is required.
Key Responsibilities
- Take a part drawing and independently determine how to manufacture the component from start to finish.
- Perform complete CNC lathe setups on Haas and Okuma machines.
- Read and fully understand engineering drawings, dimensions, tolerances, GD&T, surface finish requirements, and material specifications.
- Determine proper workholding, tooling, inserts, speeds, feeds, and machining sequence.
- Install and touch off tools and establish work offsets.
- Set up chucks, jaws, collets, fixtures, and other workholding as required.
- Load, edit, and prove out CNC programs at the machine.
- Make necessary G-code edits and program adjustments at the control.
- Safely prove out first-piece programs and identify potential crashes or setup problems before running production.
- Machine first articles and inspect completed parts against the drawing.
- Use calipers, micrometers, bore gauges, thread gauges, height gauges, and other precision inspection equipment.
- Make tool offsets and process adjustments to maintain tolerances throughout a production run.
- Troubleshoot tooling, programming, workholding, chatter, finish, chip-control, and dimensional issues.
- Optimize machining processes to improve cycle time, tool life, and part consistency.
- Monitor tooling and replace inserts or tools before they negatively affect part quality.
- Maintain accurate production and inspection records when required.
- Perform routine machine maintenance and keep machines and work areas clean and organized.
- Work closely with management, programmers, machinists, and other production personnel to keep jobs moving efficiently.
- Maintain a strong focus on safety, quality, and productivity.
Required Qualifications
- Previous professional experience setting up and operating CNC lathes.
- Must be familiar and comfortable with both Haas and Okuma CNC controls.
- Must be capable of performing complete machine setups without requiring step-by-step supervision.
- Strong understanding of CNC turning operations.
- Ability to read and interpret detailed manufacturing drawings.
- Strong understanding of tolerances and basic GD&T.
- Ability to read and make adjustments to G-code at the machine.
- Experience selecting appropriate cutting tools, inserts, speeds, and feeds.
- Experience setting work offsets and tool offsets.
- Strong knowledge of workholding, including chucks, soft jaws, hard jaws, and collets.
- Proficient with precision measuring and inspection equipment.
- Ability to troubleshoot machining problems independently.
- Strong mechanical aptitude and attention to detail.
- Dependable, punctual, organized, and able to take ownership of assigned work.
Preferred Experience
Experience with any of the following is a plus:
- Haas ST-series CNC lathes
- Okuma CNC lathes
- Live tooling
- C-axis machining
- Sub-spindles
- Bar feeders
- Parts catchers
- Tool setters/probes
- Production machining
- Tight-tolerance components
- Programming or conversational programming at the machine
What We’re Looking For
We are looking for a dependable setup machinist—not someone who only loads parts and presses Cycle Start.
The right person should be able to walk into the shop, receive a drawing and material, develop a plan, set up the machine, prove out the job, inspect the first part, make the necessary adjustments, and confidently turn the job over to production.
You should be comfortable thinking through problems independently and taking ownership of a job from raw material to a finished, in-spec part.
We value experience, reliability, quality workmanship, and someone who takes pride in knowing that when a job is handed to them, it will get done correctly.
Pay: $24.00 - $30.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
Work Location: In person
