Traveling Machinist

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: CNC Swiss Machinist

Job Description

This role supports precision manufacturing operations on advanced Swiss-style CNC lathes, focusing on programming, editing, setting up, and operating multi-axis CNC machines to produce complex, tight-tolerance components. You will work primarily with Star ECAS and SR-series Swiss CNC lathes equipped with Siemens and Fanuc controls, leveraging live tooling, dual spindles, and high-precision turning capabilities. The position requires deep expertise in machine setup, G-code editing, blueprint interpretation, and maintaining consistent quality throughout production runs in a high-volume environment.

Responsibilities

• Program, edit, set up, and operate CNC Swiss lathes to produce precision-machined components to specification.
• Perform complete machine setups, including tooling installation, setting offsets, adjusting guide bushings, configuring workholding, and validating first-piece production.
• Modify and optimize G-code programs to improve cycle times, enhance part quality, and increase overall machine efficiency.
• Set and adjust tool offsets, wear compensation, spindle speeds, feeds, and machine parameters during production to maintain process stability.
• Utilize live tooling, sub-spindles, and multi-axis machining functions to perform complex turning, milling, drilling, tapping, and threading operations.
• Read and interpret blueprints, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), customer specifications, and process documentation to ensure accurate machining.
• Conduct first article, in-process, and final inspections using micrometers, calipers, indicators, bore gauges, thread gauges, and other precision measuring instruments.
• Monitor machine performance and troubleshoot tooling, programming, material, and quality-related issues to minimize downtime and scrap.
• Perform changeovers and tooling replacements to support multiple production runs and high-volume manufacturing requirements.
• Maintain tight tolerances and document inspection results in accordance with established quality standards and customer requirements.
• Support preventive maintenance activities and help keep machines operating efficiently and reliably.
• Collaborate with engineering, quality, and manufacturing teams to resolve machining challenges and continuously improve production processes.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work area while following all company safety procedures and guidelines.
• Operate and support Star ECAS Swiss CNC lathes with Siemens controls, Star SR-20 and SR-16 Swiss CNC lathes with Fanuc controls, and potentially an Index G200 turn-mill center.
• Work flexibly across 1st, 2nd, and 3rd shifts as needed, including overtime, to meet production schedules.

Essential Skills

• 8–10+ years of experience operating CNC Swiss lathes and/or multi-axis turn-mill machines in a production environment.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Fanuc and/or Siemens CNC controls on Swiss-style and turn-mill equipment.
• Hands-on experience programming, editing, and troubleshooting G-code for complex, tight-tolerance components.
• Strong understanding of machining processes, tooling selection, feeds, speeds, and cutting strategies for Swiss machining.
• Ability to perform full CNC machine setups, including tooling installation, offsets, guide bushing adjustments, and first-piece validation.
• Proven ability to read and interpret blueprints and apply GD&T principles to machining and inspection.
• Experience using precision measurement and inspection tools such as micrometers, calipers, indicators, bore gauges, and thread gauges.
• Ability to maintain and hold tight tolerances consistently in a high-volume production environment.
• Experience working with Swiss lathes and Swiss CNC machines in multi-axis configurations.
• Comfort working with G&M codes and CNC programming concepts for lathes and turn-mill centers.
• Capability to monitor machine performance and quickly diagnose tooling, programming, and quality issues.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality and safety in a manufacturing setting.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience as a traveling machinist or in roles requiring flexibility across different machines and locations.
• Operating a range of CNC equipment such as lathes, mills, CNC routers, CNC lasers, burn tables, press brakes, presses, and CNC saws.
• Familiarity with Haas, Fanuc, Mazak, and Siemens control systems and multi-axis CNC operation.
• Exposure to Mastercam or similar CAM software for CNC programming and optimization.
• Experience with CNC setup, CNC machining, and production machining in large-scale manufacturing environments.
• Strong knowledge of tolerances, GD&T application, and quality documentation practices.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams including engineering, quality, and production.
• Comfort working overtime and managing workload in a fast-paced, high-output environment.

Why Work Here?

You join a clean, temperature-controlled facility that offers consistent weekly pay and the opportunity to earn additional income through substantial overtime for those who want it. Employees may become eligible for a comprehensive benefits package that can include medical, dental, and vision coverage; generous paid vacation; a competitive 401(k) plan with employer contributions; and robust retirement planning options. The organization invests in your long-term growth through tuition reimbursement, student loan repayment support, and an Employee Scholar Program, while also providing extensive wellness and work-life resources such as parental leave, birth and adoption benefits, fertility and family planning support, adoption assistance, autism benefits, counseling through an employee assistance program, wellness incentive programs, and access to virtual medical and second-opinion services. Additional optional protections, such as pet insurance, home and auto coverage, supplemental life and accident insurance, critical illness coverage, group legal services, and ID theft protection, may be available depending on role and business unit. Overall, you benefit from a supportive culture that values employee well-being, development, and financial security, with incentive compensation opportunities tied to individual and company performance where applicable.

Work Environment

This position is based in a large, high-volume production environment that is very orderly, clean, and well organized. The facility is temperature-controlled, providing a comfortable and consistent working climate. You will work with advanced CNC equipment including Star ECAS Swiss CNC lathes with Siemens controls, Star SR-20 and SR-16 Swiss CNC lathes with Fanuc controls, and potentially an Index G200 turn-mill center. Standard shifts include 1st Shift (6:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.), 2nd Shift (2:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.), and 3rd Shift (10:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m.), with significant overtime available and the potential to work 60+ hours per week for those who are interested. The facility is typically closed on Sundays most of the time, supporting some regular downtime. The work environment emphasizes safety, organization, and efficiency, with clear procedures and quality standards guiding daily operations

This is a Contract position based out of Chicago, IL.

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $40.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Chicago,IL.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 28, 2026.

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.