CNC Operator

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: CNC Operator

Job Description

The CNC Operator will set up and operate a variety of CNC equipment in a high-volume machine shop environment. During the training period, you will rotate between CNC lathes and mills, spot welders, weld-around machines, laser welders, laser cutters, and other shop machinery. Over time, you will cross-train on all machines in the shop and continue to build your skills, taking on more complex setups and production work.

Responsibilities

• Operate CNC machines, including lathes, mills, laser welders, laser cutters, and other shop equipment, following established work instructions and safety procedures.
• Adjust machine controls and change tool settings to maintain dimensions within specified tolerances throughout the production run.
• Load and unload parts to be machined, ensuring proper positioning, securing, and alignment with cutting tools or tool holders on the machines.
• Run machines through full production cycles, stopping as needed to adjust tool positions and machine controls to maintain specified timing, clearances, and tolerances.
• Study blueprints, layouts, charts, and job order information to understand specifications, tooling instructions, and operational sequences before starting work.
• Inspect machined parts to verify that product specifications are met, using micrometers, calipers, gauges, and other precision measurement tools.
• Perform regular quality checks and precision measurements during and after machining to ensure consistent product quality.
• Assist with basic machine setup and changeover of tooling as skills develop, following guidance from experienced operators and supervisors.
• Follow all safety guidelines and maintain a clean, organized work area in the machine shop.
• Work effectively in a physically active environment, including walking, standing, lifting, twisting, turning, pushing, and pulling for extended periods.

Essential Skills

• At least 6 months to 1 year of experience running a CNC machine; candidates directly out of CNC school are welcome if they meet this requirement.
• Minimum of 1 year of previous machine operation experience, preferably with CNC lathes and mills, laser welders and cutters, hobbers, shapers, or similar equipment.
• Ability to read and follow instruction sheets, work instructions, and job orders with at least 1 year of experience doing so.
• At least 1 year of experience performing quality checks and precision measuring in a machining or machine shop environment.
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting blueprints, schematics, layouts, and charts to determine specifications and operational sequences.
• Solid understanding of machine operation, including basic setup and changeover of tooling on CNC machines.
• Strong math skills to support accurate measurements, offsets, and tolerance checks.
• Ability to take precise measurements using micrometers, calipers, and a variety of gauges and inspection tools.
• Comfort working in a physically demanding environment for up to 10 hours per day, including walking, standing, lifting, twisting, turning, pushing, and pulling.
• High school diploma or equivalent.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working in a machine shop environment with CNC lathes, CNC mills, laser welders, laser cutters, hobbers, shapers, and related machining equipment.
• Hands-on experience with micrometers, calipers, and various gauges for quality inspection and precision measurement.
• Expereince in machining, including operating and monitoring multiple machines in a production setting.
• Exposure to machine setup, tooling changeover, and troubleshooting minor machine issues.
• Training or education from a CNC or machining program is a plus and can qualify candidates with limited on-the-job experience.
• Attention to detail and commitment to maintaining tight tolerances and high-quality standards.
• Willingness to cross-train on different machines and processes and continuously develop new technical skills.

Why Work Here?

You will join a shop that invests in your development through ongoing cross-training on a wide range of machines and processes. There is clear room for growth, with opportunities to learn setups, expand your technical capabilities, and advance into more skilled roles. The environment rewards performance, offers pay improvement over time, and promotes from within, giving motivated individuals a strong path for long-term career progression.

Work Environment

This is a busy, production-focused machine shop environment with extended shifts and regular overtime. The standard schedule runs Monday through Thursday on 10-hour shifts (5x10s), with the operation currently running approximately 55 hours per week on a mandatory basis. First shift operates from 5:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and second shift operates from 3:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., with second-shift employees training on first shift for the first 90 days. Overtime is available on Fridays for 10-hour shifts and on Saturdays for 5-hour shifts, which may be voluntary or mandatory depending on production needs. Work is paid on a piece-rate structure with a base rate plus an incentive component tied to production output. The environment is physically active and fast-paced, with frequent walking, standing, lifting, twisting, turning, pushing, and pulling around CNC lathes, mills, laser welders, laser cutters, and other machining equipment. Employees should expect typical machine shop conditions and dress appropriately for a hands-on industrial setting.

This is a Contract position based out of Racine, WI.

The pay range for this position is $18.45 - $20.19/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Racine,WI.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 17, 2026.

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meet their goals, skills, and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role in solving companies’ construction, manufacturing, and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are-everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.

Company Description

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meet their goals, skills, and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role in solving companies’ construction, manufacturing, and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are-everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.