CNC Machinist II - Mills or Lathes

Job Description

Job Description

CNC Machinist II - Mills or Lathes

Position Summary

The CNC Machinist II sets up, proves out, and runs CNC work independently across turning and machining centers, and owns the process decisions that go with it — operation sequence, tooling and insert selection, workholding, and cutting conditions. The role works from prints and models rather than proven paperwork, edits and corrects programs at the control, and brings new and revised parts into tolerance without supervision. The Machinist II is the shop's dependable CNC capability: the person given the job that has to run right the first time. Multi-axis and mill-turn prove-out, fixture and process design, and training sign-off remain with Level III. Competencies are defined and assessed in the Skills Matrix.

Essential Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Perform complete setups independently on CNC turning and machining centers — workholding, tooling, program load, offsets, and first-piece qualification — without supervision.
• Prove out new and revised programs at the control, correcting toolpaths, offsets, feeds, and speeds to bring parts into tolerance and cycle time.
• Decide operation sequence, tooling and insert grade, workholding, and cutting conditions for new and problem parts; document the decisions so the job is repeatable.
• Edit and correct programs at the control, including canned cycles, work and tool offset structures, and subprogram calls.
• Interpret prints, models, and GD&T — datums, feature control frames, position tolerance, profile, and runout — and translate them into setup and inspection decisions.
• Apply trigonometry and shop math to bolt circles, angles, tapers, compound setups, and dimensional stack-ups.
• Own dimensional quality at the machine using the full range of precision measuring equipment, indicators, height gauges, gauge blocks, and comparators; present and support first-article inspection.
• Fabricate or specify simple fixtures, soft jaws, stops, and holding devices required to run the work.
• Recover machines and processes after alarms, crashes, and interruptions; re-establish offsets and requalify parts before returning to production.
• Diagnose and correct process problems — chatter, poor finish, dimensional drift, tool life, chip control, workholding movement — and separate process problems from machine problems.
• Report mechanical faults to maintenance with accurate symptom detail; support repair and requalification.
• Contain nonconforming material and escalate per quality procedure; do not run through a known nonconformance.
• Support and orient Machinist I and operator personnel on assigned workcenters; provide programming feedback on tooling, workholding, and cycle time from the floor.
• Author and correct setup sheets, tool lists, and work instructions so jobs are repeatable by others; contribute to scrap reduction, tooling standardization, and 5S.
• Follow all safety rules, lockout/tagout, machine guarding, and PPE requirements without exception; report unsafe conditions and near-misses. Maintain accurate labor, quantity, and scrap reporting in the shop system.

Skills & Competencies

• Program G/M-code and canned cycles and make minor edits to run new jobs
• Prove out CAM programs and collaborate with CAM to release parts
• Troubleshoot chatter, drift and finish to maintain quality
• Operate 4-axis, live tooling and fixturing to produce complex parts
• Operate bar-feed / robot machines to increase throughput
• Analyze more complex machines (dual-turret, dual-spindle) to run them proficiently
• Optimize time and efficiency to meet ~85% utilization

Equipment Proficiency

Required — set up, prove out, and run unassisted:  CNC lathes, including live-tool and bar-fed turning centers; CNC vertical and horizontal machining centers.

Working proficiency — run unassisted, set up with guidance:  CNC mill-turn and multi-axis turning centers; twin-spindle lathes. Active development on at least one multi-axis workcenter is expected.

As assigned:  CNC OD grinding and CNC gear equipment; manual lathes, mills, grinders, saws, and presses in support of CNC production.

Qualifying threshold:  Independent setup and prove-out competency signed off on all required turning and machining-center categories.

Behavioral expectations:  Dependable attendance and punctuality; communicates clearly with supervision, quality, and maintenance; takes direction and asks before deviating; owns and corrects mistakes; works safely and cooperatively; flexible on shift and overtime as production requires.

Work Experience

• 6–9 years of relevant work experience in CNC machining, or equivalent progression from CNC Machinist I with all Skills Matrix competencies above met and verified.
• Demonstrated ability to set up and prove out work independently and to hold close tolerances and specified finishes on production work.
• Fluency with the shop's CNC controls, including program editing and offset structures.
• Preferred: apprenticeship completion; multi-axis or mill-turn exposure; CAM experience; manual machining background.

Education & Certifications

• Required: high school diploma or GED.
• Preferred: machining certificate or diploma from a technical school, completion of a formal machinist apprenticeship, or NIMS credentials in turning, milling, and CNC programming.
• Sign-offs: completed workcenter qualification cards, with setup and prove-out competency signed off on all required categories.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• Stands and walks on a concrete shop floor for the majority of an 8- to 12-hour shift, including overtime and weekend work as scheduled. Frequent bending, reaching, twisting, kneeling, and overhead reaching to load, unload, and reach into machine work zones.
• Frequently lifts, carries, pushes, and pulls up to 35 lbs unassisted; heavier material and workholding moved with carts, hoists, and lift assists. Sustained fine motor control and hand-eye coordination for gauging, tool handling, and offset entry. Vision correctable to read prints, dial and digital gauges, and control screens.
• Exposure to cutting fluid and coolant mist, oils, metal chips, moving machinery, elevated noise, and seasonal temperature variation. Required PPE includes safety glasses with side shields, hearing protection, appropriate footwear, and cut-resistant gloves where specified. No loose clothing, jewelry, or unrestrained long hair near rotating equipment.

Acknowledgement

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work expected of the position. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required, and may be revised at the Company's discretion. Employment is at will. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role. By signing below, the employee confirms they have read this job description, understand the duties and requirements of the position, and are able to perform the essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

EOE