CNC Tooling & Setup Technician (Production Machining)

Job Description

Job Description

Craft components that matter—start as an Operator or lead as a Setup Technician

Full-Time | Manufacturing | Non‑Exempt

Join a team that turns prints into precision. In this role you’ll either operate CNC mills/lathes to make quality parts (Operator path) or own end‑to‑end setups and first articles (Setup path). Based on your experience, training, and demonstrated skill, you’ll be placed appropriately— openings in West Milwaukee and Belgium, Wisconsin . New technical school graduates are encouraged to apply; experienced CNC setup machinists will find immediate impact.

Your impact

• Deliver reliable throughput and dimensional accuracy on every run
• Uphold safety, quality, and documentation standards
• Advance continuous improvement and lean manufacturing

Pay range

• Operator (Entry Level): $20–$26/hr, experience‑based
• Setup (Experienced): $24–$30/hr, experience‑based

Role details

Operator — Entry Level

• Operate CNC equipment per job travelers and standardized work
• Load materials, unload finished parts, and keep the cell organized
• Monitor machines and escalate issues to leads/supervisors
• Perform basic in‑process measurements (calipers, micrometers, gauges)
• Complete production and quality records with accuracy
• Maintain safety and housekeeping standards
• Learn tooling, processes, and setups to progress into setup work

Setup — Experienced

• Set up CNC mills/lathes: tooling, fixturing, offsets, and program verification
• Interpret prints and specs, including basic GD&T, to meet requirements
• Run first‑article inspections and adjust processes as needed
• Diagnose setup/machining issues and maintain efficiency
• Oversee tooling selection, condition monitoring, and replacement
• Support production operators and document parameters and changes

Applies to all

• Proactively report equipment or quality concerns
• Adhere to all company policies, quality standards, and safety procedures
• Participate in lean and continuous improvement initiatives

What you bring

Operator — Entry Level

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Completed or enrolled in a technical school, machining, or CNC program
• Basic machining knowledge and shop math
• Mechanical aptitude and willingness to learn
• Dependable, detail‑oriented, and safety‑focused

Preferred

• Hands‑on CNC experience from school labs, internships, or co‑ops
• Familiarity with basic measuring tools

Setup — Experienced

Required

• 3+ years of CNC setup experience in manufacturing
• Blueprint reading and basic GD&T
• Knowledge of tooling, fixturing, offsets, and machining processes
• Experience with first‑article inspections and process tuning

Preferred

• Background across multiple CNC machines (mills and/or lathes)
• Experience with CNC controls and program verification

Work environment & physical requirements

• Industrial manufacturing setting
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, and reaching
• Repetitive hand/arm use
• Occasional lifting up to 50 lbs

Grow here

• Great entry point for technical school graduates
• Defined progression from CNC Operator to CNC Setup Operator
• Hands‑on role producing high‑precision parts in a team‑oriented environment

Preferred proficiencies

• GD&T
• Dovetail CNC
• Equipment Troubleshooting
• CNC Tooling
• Troubleshooting Skills
• CNC Programming
• CNC Machine Repair
• CNC Machine Installation
• OSHA 10-Hour Certification (OSHA 10)
• G-Code
• Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
• Tape Measure Reading
• M-Code
• CNC Machine Setup & Changeover
• Precision Measurement & Hand Metrology
• Advanced Inspection & Gauge Measurement
• Machine Geometry & Alignment
• Spindle Maintenance & Repair
• Aerospace Manufacturing
• Machine Setups for Production Runs
• Manual Machining Skills