CNC Machinist / Programmer

Job Description

Job Description

A&B Aerospace Inc.

CNC Lathe Machinist / Setup – 2nd Shift

Azusa, California | Full-Time, On-Site

Shift: 2nd shift, 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM (8 hours), [days, e.g., Monday–Friday]

Pay: $25 – $39 per hour, depending on experience

About A&B Aerospace Inc.

A&B Aerospace Inc. is a precision manufacturing company serving the aerospace, defense, and commercial industries. We are committed to quality, precision, innovation, and customer satisfaction, and to building a workplace grounded in integrity, respect, and accountability.

Position Summary

A&B Aerospace Inc. is seeking an experienced CNC Lathe Machinist to join our new 2nd shift at our Azusa location. This role centers on CNC lathe setup and operation in a precision aerospace environment. You will set up and run lathes, prove out first articles, troubleshoot machining issues, and ensure parts consistently meet customer drawings, specifications, and quality requirements. Candidates with CNC programming skills (Mastercam) are strongly encouraged to apply.

Key Responsibilities

CNC Lathe Setup & Machining

• Set up and operate CNC lathes (and Swiss-type machines where applicable), including installing tooling and workholding, loading programs, and setting work and tool offsets.

• Plan machining sequences, select tooling, workholding, and cutting parameters, and make adjustments to hold tolerance.

• Prove out new and revised programs (simulation, single-block operation, controlled first cycles) and support first-article inspection to verify parts meet requirements before release to production.

• Perform in-process inspections using calipers, micrometers, indicators, and height gauges.

• Diagnose and correct dimensional issues, surface finish problems, tool wear/breakage, chatter, and workholding issues.

• Contribute to improvements in cycle time, tool life, setup time, and repeatability.

Programming (Preferred)

• Create, modify, and optimize CNC programs and toolpaths (Mastercam) from customer drawings, models, and specs.

• Make program edits at the machine and correct programming errors: contain affected work, correct the root cause, and help prevent recurrence.

Production & Technical Support

• Work with Production and Quality to resolve machining and manufacturing issues.

• Review drawings and job requirements before starting work; flag missing or unclear information before it affects production.

• Communicate production risks, delays, and tooling needs.

• Exercise sound independent judgment during 2nd shift hours, when engineering and management support may be more limited, and escalate appropriately when needed.

Shift Handoff, JobBOSS & Documentation

• Communicate clearly with 1st shift at shift turnover, including job status, open issues, tooling needs, and program changes.

• Use JobBOSS to manage job information, routings, and work orders.

• Follow revision control practices, ensuring programs match the correct part number/revision and obsolete files are never used in production.

Required Qualifications

• Hands-on experience setting up and running CNC lathes in precision manufacturing.

• Solid understanding of tooling, workholding, offsets, and feeds/speeds.

• Ability to read engineering drawings, tolerances, and material/finish callouts.

• Experience with first-article and in-process inspection using precision measuring tools.

• Strong attention to detail, mechanical aptitude, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• CNC programming experience, with proficiency in Mastercam and G-code.

• Experience with Swiss CNC machines, mills, or other multi-axis equipment.

• Working knowledge of GD&T.

• Ability to work independently on a shift with a smaller support team.

• Possession of personal machinist tools commonly used for setup, inspection, and precision machining is preferred but not required.

Placement within the pay range will depend on experience, setup skills, and programming ability.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to safely work in and around CNC machining equipment.

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, and perform shop-floor activities as required to support machine setup, prove-out, inspection, and troubleshooting.

• Ability to safely handle tooling, fixtures, materials, and components associated with the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Ability to use required personal protective equipment (PPE).

Work Environment

This is a full-time, on-site, 2nd shift position in a practical, fast-paced aerospace manufacturing environment at our Azusa facility. The role combines hands-on shop-floor work around CNC machinery with some computer-based programming. The work environment may include exposure to manufacturing equipment, machinery, noise, moving materials, and other conditions typical of an aerospace production facility.

Equal Employment Opportunity

A&B Aerospace Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, merit, and business needs and are made without discrimination based on any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. A&B Aerospace Inc. provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs and practices, as required by law.