Lathe Machinist (Setup & Operator)

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: 1st shift CNC Lathe Machinist (Setup & Operator)   Aerospace & Defense manufacturing

Shift: 1st Shift / Day shift (6:00am – 2:30pm, Mon-Fri)

Location: 1515 W. 17th St., Tempe, AZ

Due to the nature of work performed within our facilities, U.S. citizenship or Valid Permanent Resident status is required.

Position Summary

CMI Group – Systems 3 is seeking an experienced CNC Lathe Machinist to set up and operate CNC lathe centers to manufacture high-precision aerospace and defense components. This position plays a critical role in producing complex, close-tolerance parts while maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety, and productivity.

The ideal candidate is a self-motivated machinist who is comfortable performing complete machine setups, making program and tooling adjustments, verifying part quality, and troubleshooting machining issues in a fast-paced precision manufacturing environment. You take pride in producing quality work the first time. You're the type of machinist who doesn't simply load parts; you understand the turning process, think critically when problems arise, and continuously look for ways to improve setups, tooling, cycle times, and process reliability. You value teamwork, accountability, and craftsmanship, and you're motivated by producing precision components that support critical aerospace and defense applications.

Primary Responsibilities

• Set up and operate CNC lathes and turning centers to manufacture precision parts according to engineering drawings, specifications, and customer requirements.
• Produce components that meet tight dimensional tolerances, surface-finish requirements, and aerospace quality standards.
• Read and interpret blueprints, GD&T, manufacturing routings, job travelers, work instructions, and customer specifications.
• Load, verify, and edit CNC programs as needed to ensure accurate and efficient part production.
• Install, qualify, and adjust tooling, toolholders, inserts, workholding, jaws, fixtures, and related setup components.
• Monitor machining operations; Set and adjust work offsets, tool offsets, wear offsets, feeds, speeds, and cutting parameters to maintain dimensional accuracy and process stability.
• Perform first-piece setup verification before releasing production.
• Perform in-process inspections using precision measuring instruments, including calipers, micrometers, bore gauges, thread gauges, height gauges, manual CMM, indicators, and other inspection equipment.
• Operate multiple CNC machines when cycle times and production requirements allow while maintaining quality and productivity expectations.
• Communicate and collaborate with CNC Programmers, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, and Production leadership to resolve manufacturing concerns.
• Identify opportunities to reduce setup time, improve cycle time, extend tooling life, improve process capability, and increase overall manufacturing efficiency.
• Perform routine machine maintenance and daily equipment checks.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work area following 5S principles.
• Follow all company safety procedures, quality standards, manufacturing processes, and work instructions.
• Ensure compliance with AS9100 quality requirements and ITAR regulations where applicable.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of CNC lathe setup and operation experience in a precision manufacturing environment.
• Experience machining close-tolerance components.
• Ability to independently perform complete CNC lathe setups.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, manufacturing documentation, and inspection requirements.
• Experience loading, verifying, and editing CNC programs.
• Strong knowledge of CNC turning operations, including facing, turning, boring, drilling, grooving, threading, and parting.
• Understanding of tooling selection, inserts, workholding, jaw preparation, offsets, feeds and speeds, and cutting parameters.
• Proficiency using precision measuring instruments, including calipers, micrometers, bore gauges, thread gauges, indicators, and related inspection equipment.
• Ability to monitor and operate multiple machines while maintaining quality and production efficiency.
• Strong mechanical aptitude, attention to detail, and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to maintain high quality while meeting production and schedule requirements.
• Strong problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience machining aerospace or defense components.
• Experience with Haas, Mazak, Nakamura, or similar CNC lathes and turning centers.
• Familiarity with Haas, Mazak, Fanuc, or similar CNC controls.
• Experience with live tooling, Y-axis, sub-spindle, dual-turret, or other multi-axis CNC turning equipment.
• Experience machining stainless steel, aluminum, Inconel, titanium, and other aerospace alloys.
• Experience manufacturing parts with tight concentricity, runout, cylindricity, thread, and surface-finish requirements.
• Experience working within an AS9100-certified and ITAR-controlled manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with ERP systems and electronic manufacturing documentation.
• Experience using Statistical Process Control or other process-monitoring methods.

Additional Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Due to the nature of work performed within our facilities, U.S. citizenship or Valid Permanent Resident status is required.
• Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds on a regular basis.
• Must be able to stand majority of the shift

About CMI Group – Systems 3 Division

CMI Group is a leading aerospace and defense manufacturer specializing in precision-machined components, complex assemblies, and advanced manufacturing solutions for some of the world's most demanding aerospace and defense applications. Founded in 1972 and headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, CMI serves major OEMs across commercial aerospace, military aviation, space, and defense markets through its vertically integrated manufacturing capabilities and commitment to operational excellence.

Systems 3, a division of CMI Group, is a recognized manufacturer of complex flight-critical and safety-critical components supporting leading defense and rotary-wing aerospace platforms. The division has built a reputation for manufacturing precision components that require the highest levels of quality, reliability, and technical expertise. Systems 3 serves major aerospace and defense customers and plays a critical role in supporting mission-critical applications where performance and dependability are essential.

At CMI Group, we believe our success starts with our people. We foster a team-oriented culture built on accountability, continuous improvement, safety, customer focus, and long-term partnerships. Our employees have the opportunity to contribute directly to products that support national defense, aviation safety, and aerospace innovation while helping shape the future of a growing manufacturing organization.

As we continue investing in our people, technology, and operational capabilities, we are seeking skilled CNC Mill Machinists who take pride in producing world-class precision components while helping us deliver exceptional quality and on-time performance to our customers.

Team oriented company with top paying wages and benefits in the valley in regards to the Aerospace Industry. To qualify for consideration, all candidates must be able to work 40+ hours per week in a fast paced, high-demand, quality environment. All candidates must also have sufficient verbal and written communication skills as well as good problem solving skills.

CMI Group is equal opportunity employer providing competitive wages and benefits. Medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance available. 401(k) with company match.

CMI Group is a federal subcontractor and maintains a drug-free workplace in accordance with the Federal Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and Arizona Revised Statutes § 23-493. All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment drug screening.

This is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant due to age, race, disability, veteran status, religion, sexual orientation, gender or any other protected classification. VEVRAA federal subcontractor. This company provides provide equal employment opportunities to applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, or disabilities in compliance with federal and state laws including:

• The Civil Rights Act of 1964 as Amended
• Age Discrimination Act of 1967 as Amended
• Rehabilitation Act of 1973
• Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Act of 1974
• Americans with Disabilities Act Amendment Act of 2009 (ADAAA)
• The Wagner-Peyser Act as Amended.
• The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
• Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq