CNC Milling Set Up Operator

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

The CNC Mill Setup Technician is an experienced, self-sufficient machinist responsible for setting up, proving out, and running complex CNC milling programs on second shift with minimal supervision. This is not an operator role — it is a setup role. The right candidate owns the machine from job launch to last part, troubleshoots independently, holds tight tolerances on high-mix, low-volume aerospace and defense components, and has the instinct and experience to be the last line of defense on second shift.

Essential Responsibilities

• Perform complete job setups on CNC vertical and/or horizontal machining centers from engineering drawings, routers, and work orders
• Select, install, and qualify tooling, fixtures, and workholding for each job
• Prove out new and revised programs; make offsets, edits, and parameter adjustments as needed to achieve first-article approval
• Run in-process and final inspection using precision measurement tools — micrometers, calipers, bore gauges, dial indicators, and CMM where applicable
• Read and interpret GD&T and blueprints accurately and independently
• Diagnose and resolve machine alarms, tooling failures, surface condition issues, and out-of-tolerance conditions without waiting for engineering or programming support
• Maintain accurate production records, setup sheets, first-article documentation, and non-conformance reports
• Transition jobs cleanly to operators once setups are proven; document setups clearly for repeatability
• Support shift continuity by communicating open issues, in-process jobs, and priorities to day shift at turnover
• Follow all safety, quality, and housekeeping standards; support 5S on the shop floor
• Participate in cross-training and knowledge transfer as the team grows

Qualifications

Required:

• 5+ years of CNC milling experience with demonstrated setup responsibility — not operator-only background
• Ability to set up jobs start to finish independently, including workholding, tooling, and program prove-out
• Proficiency reading blueprints and GD&T
• Experience with precision measurement and first-article inspection
• Ability to troubleshoot out-of-tolerance conditions, tool wear issues, and machine alarms independently

Preferred:

• Experience in aerospace, defense, or heavy industrial precision manufacturing
• Familiarity with FANUC controls
• Exposure to AS9100 or ISO quality management systems
• Experience with high-mix, low-volume complex component manufacturing
• Experience informally training or mentoring less experienced operators

What We Offer

• Competitive hourly wage commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and 401(k)
• A stable, growing company with 70+ years of history and a long-term ownership mindset
• Complex, interesting work — high-mix aerospace and defense components, not repetitive production runs
• Active investment in workforce development and apprenticeship — room to grow into training, lead, and mentorship roles