Close‑Tolerance CNC Machinist -- Aerospace/Defense Job Shop

Job Description

Job Description

Step into work that actually tests your skill

Imagine starting your morning by opening a traveler for a new part family — a large, complex casting destined for aerospace or power generation. You load tooling on a late‑model CNC, verify offsets on a FANUC control, and make that first chip count. By mid‑day you’re holding ±0.001" or tighter without drama, reading the process before it drifts, and documenting in‑process checks because you take pride in first‑pass yield. Tomorrow will bring a different setup, a different alloy, a new challenge — because this is a true job shop, not a production line.

The role

As a CNC Machinist on our 1st Shift (Monday–Friday), you will run CNC milling and/or turning equipment to produce precision components that meet demanding finish and tolerance requirements. You’ll think through setups, own quality at the spindle, and keep work moving.

What you’ll tackle

• CNC operation: Run CNC machining centers and/or lathes per prints, travelers, and quality plans; maintain tight tolerances (±0.001" or tighter) and anticipate variation before it happens.
• In‑process control: Measure with calipers, micrometers, bore gages, thread gages, height gages, and dial indicators; adjust tool wear and geometry offsets appropriately.
• Problem sensing: Identify wear, breakage, chatter, or finish issues early and communicate with setup machinists or supervision before scrap is made; run multiple machines when workload and skill allow.
• Setups (simple–moderate): Load tooling, set offsets, verify first‑piece; support more complex setups (second ops, re‑chucking, post‑tool‑change verification); edit feeds/speeds at the control and escalate program issues as needed.
• Blueprints & inspection: Read drawings with GD&T, finish callouts, materials, and tolerances; choose the right gage for the feature; complete in‑process and final inspections and record results per the control plan.
• Quality & safety: Follow ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D procedures, traveler sign‑offs, controlled documents; report nonconformances immediately; maintain 5S; use PPE, machine guarding, and lockout/tagout; handle coolants and cutting fluids safely.
• Team play: Communicate status and open issues for clean hand‑offs; support less‑experienced operators and finisher trainees; contribute ideas for continuous improvement.

What you bring

• 5+ years of CNC machining in a precision/job‑shop or contract manufacturing environment.
• Proven ability to hold ±0.001" or tighter consistently.
• Strong print reading (GD&T, finishes, materials, tolerance interpretation).
• Fluency with precision measurement tools listed above.
• Independent simple‑to‑moderate CNC setups (tool load, offsets, first‑piece verification).
• Skill adjusting offsets and recognizing process drift.
• High school diploma/GED (vocational/technical machining training is a plus).
• Lift/move up to 50 lbs.; team‑lift for heavier components.
• Ability to read and write English; basic computer skills.

Preferred

• FANUC controls (0i, 30i, 31i).
• Large‑format VMCs, HMCs, and CNC lathes.
• Machining castings/forgings or other near‑net shapes.
• Experience in ISO 9001 or AS9100D environments.
• 4th/5th‑axis experience.
• Background with aerospace, defense, power gen, or heavy industrial parts and their quality standards.

Why machinists choose Acme

• Medical, dental, vision from Day 1 (no waiting period).
• Company‑paid life insurance plus short‑ and long‑term disability.
• HSA and FSA options.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays.
• Weekly pay and gainsharing bonus opportunities.
• Tuition assistance for continued learning.
• Clean, climate‑controlled gage room in a stable precision manufacturing environment.

About Acme Industries

Since 1948, Acme Industries has served aerospace, defense, power generation, mining, and transportation from Elk Grove Village, Illinois. We’re ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified, PE‑backed, operating late‑model equipment in a clean shop, and actively growing toward $300M. We specialize in large, complex machined castings and forgings where getting it right the first time matters.

Schedule & pay

1st Shift, Monday–Friday. Pay: $25.00–$35.00 per hour, based on experience.

If you’re ready to move beyond button‑pushing and own your craft, we’d like to talk.