Machine Operator

Job Description

Job Description

CNC Machine Operator

Client: Confidential Steel & Aluminum Processing / Distribution Center
Location: Ellwood City, PA
Pay Rate: $20.00–$28.00/hour, depending on experience
Shift: 1st Shift
Schedule: 6:00 AM–2:30 PM
Position Type: Contract-to-Hire
Department: Machining / Milling / Production

Industry: Steel, Aluminum, Tool Steel, Manufacturing, Metal Processing

Position Summary

A confidential steel and aluminum processing and distribution center in Ellwood City, PA is seeking CNC Operators to support 1st shift and 2nd shift machining operations. This company provides steel and aluminum processing services, including saw cutting, grinding, milling, surface grinding, and gun drilling.

The CNC Mill Operator will be responsible for operating CNC milling equipment to machine steel, aluminum, tool steel, and related metal products according to work orders, customer specifications, and quality requirements. The ideal candidate will have CNC mill operation experience, basic blueprint reading skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to use measuring tools to verify completed work.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate CNC milling machines to machine steel, aluminum, tool steel, and related metal products.
• Read and follow work orders, job travelers, setup sheets, blueprints, and customer requirements.
• Load, position, and secure raw material or workpieces into CNC milling machines.
• Monitor machine operation to ensure parts are being machined correctly and safely.
• Perform basic machine setup, tool changes, offsets, and adjustments as trained and authorized.
• Verify dimensions, tolerances, and surface quality using measuring tools.
• Inspect finished parts or processed material for accuracy, defects, and workmanship.
• Identify and report quality issues, machine problems, tooling concerns, or material discrepancies.
• Maintain accurate production records and documentation as required.
• Support material flow by staging completed work and keeping parts organized.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work area.
• Follow all safety procedures, PPE requirements, quality standards, and housekeeping expectations.
• Support additional machining, metal processing, or production duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Previous CNC mill operation experience preferred.
• Experience working in a machine shop, metal processing, steel, aluminum, tool steel, or manufacturing environment preferred.
• Ability to read and follow work orders, job travelers, setup instructions, and basic blueprints.
• Ability to use measuring tools such as calipers, micrometers, tape measures, indicators, or gauges.
• Basic math skills, including fractions, decimals, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
• Strong attention to detail and quality.
• Mechanical aptitude and ability to work safely around machinery.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Reliable attendance and punctuality.
• Ability to work 1st shift, 6:00 AM–2:30 PM.
• Ability to wear required PPE and follow all company safety procedures.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience machining steel, aluminum, tool steel, or metal plate/bar stock.
• Experience with CNC mills, vertical mills, horizontal mills, or metal cutting equipment.
• Experience with saw cutting, grinding, surface grinding, or gun drilling is a plus.
• Experience adjusting offsets, changing tools, checking part dimensions, and supporting production setups.
• Experience reading blueprints, layouts, tolerances, and machining instructions.
• Forklift, overhead crane, or material handling experience is a plus, if required by the site.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, and perform repetitive machine operation tasks throughout the shift.
• Ability to lift, move, push, pull, and position materials or parts as required.
• Ability to use hands and fingers to handle parts, tools, machine controls, and measuring equipment.
• Comfortable working around CNC machinery, cutting tools, metal chips, coolants, raw material, noise, and production activity.
• Ability to wear required PPE, which may include safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, steel-toe shoes, or other protective equipment.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is reliable, mechanically inclined, and comfortable operating CNC milling equipment in a metal processing or manufacturing environment. This person should be able to follow work instructions, measure accurately, maintain production pace, and produce quality work safely.

The strongest candidates will have CNC mill experience, metal processing experience, and the ability to work with steel, aluminum, or tool steel products.