CNC Lathe Setup Machinist

At a Glance

Company: Camco Precision Machining
Location: Union Grove, Wisconsin 53182
Position: CNC Lathe Setup Machinist
Employment: Full-Time
Pay: $20.00–$40.00/hr Based on Experience
Equipment: Okuma CNC Lathes • Live Tooling • Sub-Spindles • Automatic Bar Feeders
Controls: Okuma OSP
Key Skills: CNC Lathe Setup • Tooling • Offsets • Program Editing • Inspection • Troubleshooting
Environment: Air-Conditioned Machine Shop
Experience: Multiple Experience Levels Considered

Why Join Camco Precision Machining?

Camco Precision Machining is a family-owned CNC machine shop in Union Grove, Wisconsin, serving customers across the United States with precision-machined components and production machining services.

Founded in 1981, Camco operates a variety of CNC equipment with a strong focus on Okuma CNC lathes, along with Star Swiss machines, Haas CNC mills and automatic bar-fed production equipment. Our turning department handles high-volume production, close-tolerance components, gear blanks and a variety of other precision-machined parts.

This is a hands-on position for someone who wants responsibility beyond simply loading and unloading parts. Depending on your experience, you may be responsible for CNC lathe setups, tooling, offsets, program edits, troubleshooting, inspection and keeping production running efficiently.

We are interested in candidates at different experience levels. If you have a solid CNC turning background and want to continue developing your setup and programming skills, we want to hear from you. Experienced CNC lathe setup machinists and programmers, particularly those familiar with Okuma equipment and OSP controls, are especially encouraged to apply.

⚙️ What You’ll Be Doing

• Set up and operate CNC lathes for production runs
• Perform machine changeovers and prepare lathes for upcoming jobs
• Read and interpret blueprints, tolerances and manufacturing requirements
• Install and change cutting tools, inserts, collets, jaws and other tooling
• Set and adjust work offsets and tool offsets
• Make program edits and adjustments as needed
• Perform in-process inspections and verify finished parts meet specifications
• Use micrometers, calipers, indicators, gauges and other inspection equipment
• Troubleshoot machining, tooling, programming and quality issues
• Monitor tool wear and make adjustments to maintain consistent production
• Work with live tooling, sub-spindles and bar-fed equipment depending on the machine and job
• Work with production and quality personnel to resolve manufacturing issues
• Maintain a clean, organized and safe work area
• Help keep machines running efficiently while maintaining part quality

Responsibilities may vary depending on experience and the equipment assigned.

⭐ Shop Highlights

• Family-owned and operated since 1981
• Small, experienced team where your work makes a difference
• Air-conditioned manufacturing facility
• Strong Okuma CNC lathe department
• Okuma OSP controls
• CNC lathes with live tooling and sub-spindle capabilities
• Automatic bar feeders and bar-fed production
• Star Swiss CNC machines and Haas CNC mills also on-site
• Modern inspection equipment including Keyence vision measurement systems
• High-volume and repeat production work
• Opportunities to expand setup, programming and troubleshooting skills
• Variety of parts, materials and machining processes
• Health, dental and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan
• Paid time off
• Full-time, year-round work

✅ What We’re Looking For

Depending on the position and experience level:

• CNC lathe or other CNC machining experience
• Ability to read and understand blueprints and part specifications
• Experience using common precision measuring equipment
• Understanding of cutting tools, inserts, speeds, feeds and machining fundamentals
• Ability to make tool and work offsets to maintain part dimensions
• Ability to identify and correct dimensional issues during production
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing quality parts
• Ability to work independently while also working well with a small team
• Dependable attendance and willingness to take ownership of assigned work
• Commitment to maintaining a clean and safe work environment

Especially valuable experience includes:

• CNC lathe setup
• CNC programming or program editing
• Okuma CNC lathes
• Okuma OSP controls
• Live tooling and sub-spindle machining
• Bar-fed CNC turning
• Automatic bar feeders
• Chucking and collet work
• Troubleshooting tooling, programs and machining processes
• Close-tolerance production machining
• GD&T and advanced blueprint reading

Okuma experience is preferred but not required. Candidates with strong CNC lathe experience on other equipment and controls are encouraged to apply.

You do not need experience with every machine or process listed above. We are interested in machinists with strong fundamentals who are willing to learn, as well as experienced setup machinists and programmers who can contribute immediately.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

This position is based in an indoor, air-conditioned CNC manufacturing environment with multiple machines operating throughout the workday. Employees may work around machine tools, cutting tools, metal chips, cutting fluids, coolant and oils.

The position requires regular standing and walking and may involve reaching, bending, handling tools and materials, and lifting or moving items associated with machine setup and production.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Pay & Employment Details

Pay: $20.00-$40.00 per hour, based on experience. 
Employment: Full-time
Location: Union Grove, Wisconsin 53182

Benefits include:

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid time off
• Air-conditioned shop

Compensation will be based on the candidate's applicable experience and ability to independently operate, set up, troubleshoot and/or program CNC lathes.

About Camco Precision Machining

Camco Precision Machining is a family-owned precision machine shop located in Union Grove, Wisconsin. Since 1981, we have provided CNC machining and production manufacturing services to customers throughout the United States.

Our capabilities include CNC turning, twin-spindle turning, automatic bar machining, Swiss and screw machining, CNC milling and gear blank manufacturing. We specialize in production machining and manufacture quantities ranging from hundreds of parts to high-volume orders exceeding one million pieces.

Our turning equipment includes Okuma CNC lathes ranging from traditional production turning equipment to newer machines equipped with live tooling and sub-spindles, along with automatic bar-feeding equipment. Our facility also includes Star Swiss CNC machines, Haas CNC mills and modern inspection technology.

We are a small company where experienced employees have the opportunity to take ownership of their work, solve problems and directly contribute to the success of the shop.

Apply Today

If you have CNC lathe experience and are looking for a long-term opportunity with a family-owned precision machine shop, we would like to hear from you.

Whether you are an experienced CNC lathe setup machinist/programmer who can independently take a job from setup through production, or a machinist looking to continue developing your setup and programming skills, apply today through hireCNC.