CNC Mill Setup Machinist -- Aerospace Precision Components

Step Into the Role

You clock in for second shift, walk the floor, and claim your machining center. The travelers and blueprints are already in the job folder. You study the GD&T, pull the fixtures you know will save minutes later, and start dialing in your workholding. Tooling is selected and qualified, offsets are set with care, and your first prove-out run begins. You listen for tool load, watch surface finish, make a few thoughtful edits at the control, and deliver a first article that passes inspection the first time. For the rest of the run, you own the process from first chip to last part — because this is a setup role, not a button-pushing operator job.

This position anchors our second shift, where independence matters. You are the last line of defense on complex, high-mix, low-volume aerospace and defense components.

What You Will Do

• Complete start-to-finish setups on vertical and/or horizontal machining centers using drawings, routers, and work orders
• Select, install, and qualify tooling, fixtures, and workholding tailored to each job
• Prove out new and revised programs; make offsets, edits, and parameter tweaks to achieve first-article approval
• Perform in-process and final inspections with precision tools such as micrometers, calipers, bore gages, dial indicators, and when needed, CMM
• Read and apply GD&T with confidence; interpret complex blueprints independently
• Troubleshoot alarms, tool wear/breakage, surface-finish concerns, and out-of-tolerance conditions without waiting for engineering support
• Document production activity: setup sheets, first-article results, production records, and nonconformance reports
• Hand off proven setups to operators and capture clear repeatable instructions for the next run
• Coordinate shift turnover by communicating priorities, in-process jobs, and open issues to day shift
• Champion safety, quality, housekeeping, and 5S on the shop floor
• Share knowledge through cross-training and mentoring as our team grows

What You Bring

• 5+ years of CNC milling experience with full setup responsibility (not an operator-only background)
• Ability to independently fixture, tool, and prove out jobs from start to finish
• Strong blueprint literacy and GD&T fluency
• Hands-on skill with precision measurement and first-article inspection
• Proven ability to diagnose out-of-tolerance issues, tool wear, and machine alarms

Nice to Have

• Background in aerospace, defense, or heavy industrial precision work
• Familiarity with FANUC controls
• Exposure to AS9100 or ISO quality systems
• Experience in high-mix, low-volume, complex components
• Informal leadership: training or mentoring junior operators

Why You’ll Like Working Here

• Competitive hourly pay aligned with your experience
• Full benefits: medical, dental, vision, 401(k)
• A stable, growing company with 70+ years in business and a long-term ownership mindset
• Challenging, interesting work on aerospace and defense parts — not repetitive production
• Real growth paths: training, lead opportunities, and mentorship roles

Notes

Second shift role. You will be the go-to expert after hours and the person others rely on to keep parts moving and quality uncompromised.