Machinist - 2nd Shift

Job Description

Job Description

Machinist : Freeport, Illinois

Our customer in Freeport, Illinois is seeking an experienced Machinist to support a 2nd-shift automated machining cell. In this role, you will operate CNC mills and lathes, complete machine setups and changeovers, manage tooling, perform quality inspections, monitor automated equipment, troubleshoot production issues, and maintain accurate production documentation.  

Responsibilities of the  Machinist :

• Safely start, operate, monitor, and shut down CNC horizontal mills and CNC lathes. 
• Load and unload parts and fixtures, select programs, monitor cycles, and respond to machine alarms. 
• Navigate CNC controls, understand basic G-code and M-code execution, and adjust basic tool and work offsets. 
• Replace worn or broken tooling; measure and enter tool length and diameter offsets; verify tool life and tooling configuration. 
• Load tooling packages, inspect inserts, and maintain tooling inventory and tracking. 
• Complete machine setups and changeovers, including fixture installation, program loading, work-coordinate setup, tool offsets, and first-article verification. 
• Perform in-process inspections using micrometers, calipers, bore gauges, height gauges, and other measuring equipment. 
• Record inspection results and follow established control plans, reaction plans, and containment procedures. 
• Monitor tool wear, surface finish, dimensional drift, chip evacuation, and coolant flow; make authorized corrections or escalate concerns. 
• Support automated cell operations involving robotics, conveyors, pallet systems, cycle synchronization, and stoppage recovery. 
• Record production counts, downtime, tooling changes, and quality results; communicate issues during shift handoff. 
• Follow standard work, support root-cause analysis, identify improvement opportunities, and participate in Lean manufacturing initiatives. 

Machinist Requirements and Qualifications:

• Previous CNC machining experience with mills and/or lathes required. 
• Experience completing machine setups, tooling changes, offsets, and production changeovers. 
• Ability to read and execute CNC programs and understand basic G-code and M-code functions. 
• Proficiency with precision measuring tools and in-process inspection requirements. 
• Ability to identify and respond to machine alarms, tooling issues, dimensional changes, and process abnormalities. 
• Understanding of automated machining cells, including robotic and material-handling interfaces. 
• Ability to follow control plans, standard work instructions, safety procedures, and production documentation requirements. 
• Knowledge of safe machine intervention, Lockout/Tagout awareness, PPE, emergency stops, and chip and coolant hazards. 
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and shift-handoff skills. 
• Ability to work effectively as part of a production and continuous-improvement team. 

Pay for  Machinist : $27-$29+/hr, based on experience.

Machinist Benefits:

• Paid Weekly
• Direct Deposit
• Health and Dental insurance
• 401K
• Plant with A/C and well-stocked break room
• Half reimbursement for steel-toed boots through vendors

Type: 2nd Shift, Full-time

Schedule: Monday – Friday 3:00pm-11:00pm

Apply now!
Are you ready to move from the worries of today to your dreams of tomorrow? If so, give Hughes a call. We are the top-rated staffing, recruiting, and HR experts in the region. We are headquartered in Freeport, IL and have 11 locations across Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Where we have offices, we have connections to the best local jobs! Walk in our doors and you’ll find friendly professional staff who dig deep, get results, and most importantly have fun! The reviews speak for themselves, at Hughes we quickly hook you up with companies that offer competitive pay rates, great culture & benefits, and a chance to elevate your life. We offer health insurance and 401(k) too to all our employees. To get the ball rolling, visit us online at and complete our application. We’ll be in touch soon!