Urgent Opening: Machinist, Santa Rosa, CA

Machinist Expert (Swing)

Location: Santa Rosa, CA

Duration: 12 Month contract

Pay rate: $30-$33.33/Hour On W2

Shift: Swing shift - 2:00pm - 10:30pm

Job Description

We are seeking a highly skilled Career Machinist to join a precision manufacturing team supporting advanced mechanical components and assemblies used in cutting-edge electronic and microwave applications.

This role operates at the intersection of machining excellence and engineering collaboration. You will develop, optimize, and sustain machining processes using advanced equipment including Swiss-style lathes, single and multi-turret lathes, and 3- to 5-axis CNC milling centers. Working closely with engineering teams, you will influence component design for manufacturability, support new product introduction (NPI), and ensure stable, repeatable production processes.

This is not a production-only operator role. We are looking for a machinist who takes ownership of process performance, quality, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, refine, and sustain precision machining processes for complex components
• Operate and set up Swiss-style lathes, mill/turn centers, and 3- to 5-axis milling machines
• Collaborate with engineering teams to improve design for manufacturability (DFM)
• Support new product introduction (NPI) and production transition
• Ensure process stability, repeatability, and yield performance
• Utilize advanced metrology tools to verify conformance to tight tolerances
• Interpret and apply engineering drawings including GD&T
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives in tooling, fixturing, and cycle time optimization
• Maintain thorough documentation of setups, tooling strategies, and process change

Qualifications

We are seeking a motivated machinist with strong technical capability and a passion for precision.

Required:

• Career-level machining experience in high-precision environments
• Strong understanding of machining fundamentals and tight tolerance work
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and GD&T
• Strong teamwork and communication skills
• Positive attitude, flexibility, and willingness to learn
• Highly Desired Experience:
• 3- to 5-axis CNC milling
• Swiss-style lathes
• Mill/Turn machine centers
• Advanced metrology (CMM, optical systems, precision inspection tools)
• CNC/CAM programming
• CAD/Solid Modeling software
• Tool grinding and custom tool development
• Ownership mindset and accountability
• Detail orientation and process discipline
• Collaboration across engineering, maintenance, and production teams
• Continuous improvement thinking
• Adaptability in a dynamic NPI and production environment
• If you are passionate about precision machining and want to contribute to high-performance mechanical solutions, we encourage you to apply.
• Required Skills:
• Career-level CNC machining experience in a precision manufacturing environment
• Strong blueprint reading skills and ability to interpret GD&T
• Independent machine setup and operation capability
• Experience holding tight tolerances in complex components
• Solid understanding of tooling selection and cutting parameters
• Ability to troubleshoot machining issues (surface finish, chatter, dimensional variation, tool wear)
• Proficiency with precision measurement tools (micrometers, bore gauges, indicators, height gauges)
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality
• Ability to work collaboratively with engineering and cross-functional teams
• Positive attitude, flexibility, and willingness to learn
• Preferred Skills:
• 3–5 axis CNC milling experience
• Swiss-style lathe experience
• Mill/Turn machine center experience
• CNC/CAM programming experience
• Familiarity with CAD or solid modeling software
• Advanced metrology experience (CMM, optical inspection systems)
• Tool grinding or custom tool development experience
• Experience supporting new product introduction (NPI)
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Education:
• Required: High school diploma or equivalent
• Preferred: Technical certification or formal training in Machining, Manufacturing Technology, or Machine Tool Technology
• Completion of an apprenticeship program in CNC Machining