CNC Machine Operator

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: CNC Machinist

Now Hiring for CNC Machinists near Woodford, IL

Job Description

This role focuses on setting up, adjusting, and operating a variety of CNC machines, including multi-axis mills and lathes, to produce high-quality, precision components. You will interpret blueprints, perform detailed quality checks, and make on-the-fly adjustments to ensure all parts meet strict tolerance requirements. The position requires hands-on machining expertise rather than simple machine tending, with an emphasis on accuracy, consistency, and safe operation in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Set up CNC machines by installing and adjusting fixtures, tooling, and workholding devices for mills, lathes, and other CNC machining centers, including 5+ axis and turn-mill equipment.
• Operate CNC milling and turning centers to machine small parts according to engineering specifications and production requirements.
• Load raw materials into CNC machines and adjust machine controls to ensure proper alignment, feed rates, and speeds for each job.
• Interpret and work from technical drawings and blueprints to determine dimensions, tolerances, tooling, and machining sequences.
• Perform in-process inspections using calipers, micrometers, hard gages, and other quality tools to verify that parts meet tight tolerance and quality standards.
• Confirm correct tolerances on each operation and make necessary offsets and adjustments on the machine to maintain dimensional accuracy.
• Conduct regular quality checks, including hard gage checks approximately every 10–12 parts, to prevent scrap and ensure consistent output.
• Monitor tool wear, change tools when they wear out, and adjust tool offsets to maintain part quality and surface finish.
• Carry out routine maintenance and cleaning of CNC machines to ensure optimal performance and minimize downtime.
• Work on various CNC machines in the department, including vertical and horizontal machining centers, multi-axis machines, milling centers, and lathes, and remain flexible to move between machines as assigned.
• Maintain high attention to detail while running long cycle time jobs and producing the same part repeatedly, ensuring zero-defect output wherever possible.
• Follow established workflows, production priorities, and safety procedures to keep pace in a high-volume machining environment.
• Collaborate with team members and leadership to communicate issues, suggest improvements, and support overall production goals.

Essential Skills

• 2–5 years of CNC machining experience, including mills, lathes, or grinders, with hands-on setup and operation responsibilities.
• Proven ability to operate CNC milling machines, CNC lathes, and CNC machining centers, including multi-axis and turning centers.
• Demonstrated experience performing machine setups, including installing and adjusting fixtures, tooling, and workholding.
• Ability to make machine adjustments and tool changes independently to maintain part quality and productivity.
• Strong blueprint reading skills, including the ability to interpret dimensions, tolerances, and machining requirements from technical drawings.
• Proficiency using quality tools and gages, such as calipers, micrometers, and hard gages, to perform precise in-process inspections.
• High attention to detail and accuracy, particularly when running long-cycle, repetitive parts where scrap must be minimized.
• Capability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced manufacturing setting while maintaining a high level of care and quality.
• Strong sense of urgency and ability to think ahead about what tasks should happen next to keep workflow moving efficiently.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working with turn-mill 7-axis machining centers, 5+ axis machining centers, and CNC milling machining centers is a plus.
• Familiarity with both vertical and horizontal CNC machines and multi-axis CNC equipment is advantageous.
• Comfort working with long cycle time parts and repetitive production while maintaining focus and quality.
• Openness to learning and working on any machine assigned within the machining department and adapting to changing production needs.

Why Work Here?

You will join a stable, long-term opportunity in a professional machining environment where precision, craftsmanship, and quality are highly valued. The schedule offers a consistent four-day workweek, supporting work-life balance while maintaining full-time hours. You will have the chance to develop and refine advanced CNC skills across a variety of machines and technologies, with exposure to multi-axis and turn-mill equipment. The culture emphasizes safety, attention to detail, and continuous improvement, creating an environment where skilled individuals can grow, take ownership of their work, and contribute meaningfully to high-quality manufacturing outcomes.

Work Environment

This is a 3rd shift, onsite machining position working four 10-hour shifts, with some overtime expected though not guaranteed. The role is based in a machining environment with CNC mills, lathes, turn-mill 7-axis machining centers, and other multi-axis machining centers. You will primarily work on small parts, often with long cycle times, and frequently produce the same part repeatedly, requiring sustained focus and careful quality checks. Hard gage checks typically occur every 10–12 parts, with loading intervals of approximately every 25 minutes on milling centers and every 3–4 minutes on lathes. The environment is fast-paced and production-focused. Standard industrial shop attire and appropriate personal protective equipment are expected to ensure safety and comfort in the machining area.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Woodford, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $27.00 - $29.00/hr.

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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Woodford,IL.

Application Deadline

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

About Aerotek

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.

Company Description

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meet their goals, skills, and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role in solving companies’ construction, manufacturing, and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are-everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.

Company Description

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meet their goals, skills, and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role in solving companies’ construction, manufacturing, and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are-everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.