CNC Lathe Operator

About Us

FOX Innovation & Technologies is a global provider of aftermarket engineering, manufacturing, repair, and field services for turbomachinery and other mission-critical rotating equipment. Our capabilities include the reengineering, revamping, repair, and manufacture of complex components for centrifugal compressors, turbines, pumps, and related industrial equipment.

Our La Porte manufacturing operation combines advanced machining capabilities with engineering and repair expertise to support demanding applications across the energy and industrial markets.

The Opportunity

The CNC Lathe / VTL Operator is responsible for setting up and operating CNC lathes and Vertical Turning Lathes (VTLs) to manufacture and repair high-precision components in accordance with engineering drawings, specifications, established CNC programs, and FOX quality requirements.

This position will operate equipment including FOX's Neway VTL with live tooling and G&L VTL with live tooling, along with other CNC turning equipment. Most equipment utilizes FANUC controls.

The ideal candidate has strong CNC turning experience and understands the unique setup, workholding, tooling, and dimensional requirements involved in machining large and complex components. Experience machining rotating equipment components, large-diameter parts, split parts, and components requiring both turning and live-tool milling operations is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate CNC lathes and Vertical Turning Lathes to manufacture and repair precision components according to drawings, specifications, setup sheets, and established CNC programs.
• Operate CNC turning equipment including: Neway VTL with live tooling, G&L VTL with live tooling, and other horizontal and vertical CNC turning equipment as assigned.
• Operate equipment utilizing primarily FANUC CNC controls.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, work instructions, and applicable GD&T requirements.
• Review job requirements and verify correct material, tooling, fixtures, jaws, programs, and setup prior to machining.
• Set up and securely fixture large, irregular, split, or high-value components using appropriate workholding techniques.
• Properly indicate and establish component centerlines, datums, reference surfaces, and machine zero positions.
• Establish and verify tool offsets, work offsets, and machining reference points.
• Perform program prove-out, dry runs, first-piece verification, and in-process inspection.
• Make appropriate tool, wear, geometry, and dimensional offsets to maintain required tolerances.
• Perform minor CNC program edits at the machine when necessary and within established authorization and operating procedures.
• Operate and utilize live tooling for milling, drilling, boring, or other secondary machining operations when required.
• Perform turning, facing, boring, threading, grooving, drilling, and related CNC machining operations.
• Monitor machining operations for proper tool performance, surface finish, dimensional control, chip formation, vibration, chatter, or other process conditions.
• Select and change inserts, cutting tools, boring bars, drills, and other tooling based upon job and material requirements.
• Apply working knowledge of speeds, feeds, insert geometry, tooling, and material characteristics.
• Use precision measuring equipment including micrometers, large-diameter micrometers, bore gauges, calipers, indicators, depth gauges, and other inspection equipment.
• Perform and document in-process dimensional inspections.
• Maintain dimensional accuracy and required surface finishes throughout the machining process.
• Safely machine a range of materials including carbon steel, stainless steel, alloy steel, and exotic or high-temperature alloys.
• Exercise particular care when machining large, complex, customer-owned, repaired, or otherwise high-value components.
• Identify and report potential nonconformances before proceeding with additional machining whenever possible.
• Troubleshoot machining issues in coordination with CNC Programming, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Quality.
• Maintain accurate setup, tooling, inspection, production, and job documentation.
• Perform routine machine cleaning and operator-level preventive maintenance.
• Maintain machines, tools, fixtures, and the surrounding work area in a clean and organized condition.
• Follow all FOX safety procedures, machine operating requirements, lifting/rigging procedures, and quality requirements.
• Participate in process improvements involving setups, tooling, machining methods, cycle time, and quality.
• Provide complete and accurate job-status and machine-condition information during shift handoffs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Prior hands-on experience setting up and operating CNC lathes and/or Vertical Turning Lathes in a precision machining environment is required. Experience operating large Vertical Turning Lathes is preferred.
• Ability to independently perform CNC turning setups and operate equipment safely.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and manufacturing specifications.
• Working knowledge of GD&T and dimensional tolerancing.
• Ability to use precision measuring and inspection equipment.
• Working knowledge of turning tools, inserts, boring equipment, tool offsets, work offsets, feeds, speeds, and machining fundamentals.
• Ability to recognize tool wear, chatter, poor surface finish, dimensional variation, and other machining problems.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting ability.
• Ability to maintain close dimensional tolerances on large or complex components.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality and safety.
• Experience machining repaired or customer-owned components where existing geometry must be indicated and referenced before material removal.
• Experience machining stainless steels, nickel alloys, Inconel, Hastelloy, or other exotic materials.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Work is performed primarily in an industrial machine shop environment.
• Requires frequent standing, walking, reaching, bending, and use of hands and tools for extended periods.
• Must be able to safely lift and move up to 50 lbs., with appropriate assistance or lifting equipment used for heavier components.
• Requires work around operating CNC machinery, tooling, metal chips, cutting fluids, forklifts, cranes, and other industrial equipment.
• Personal protective equipment must be worn as required.
• Position may require overtime, weekends, or modified work schedules based on production and customer requirements.

Equal Employment Opportunity: FOX Innovation & Technologies Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.