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Lead CNC Programmer & Machinist
Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing
Key Requirements: 5+ years CNC experience | Mastercam proficiency | Okuma lathe experience | U.S. citizenship required by contract |
Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced Lead CNC Programmer & Machinist to lead precision CNC machining operations supporting aerospace and defense manufacturing. This is a hands-on technical leadership position with equal responsibility for CNC programming, machine setup and operation, troubleshooting, process development, quality, and mentoring other machinists.
The ideal candidate is an accomplished CNC programmer and machinist with strong experience in both CNC milling and CNC turning, tight-tolerance manufacturing, complex part geometry, and low-to-medium volume precision production. This individual must be highly proficient in Mastercam, experienced with Okuma CNC lathes, and capable of taking parts from print and model through programming, setup, first article, inspection, and production.
Experience with an Okuma LB3000 EX II is strongly preferred.
Due to contractual requirements associated with certain aerospace and defense programs, applicants must be U.S. citizens.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop, optimize, and maintain CNC programs for precision milling and turning operations using Mastercam.
- Program complex components from engineering drawings, CAD models, specifications, and customer requirements.
- Set up, program, troubleshoot, and operate Okuma CNC lathes.
- Perform machine setups, prove-outs, first-piece runs, and production machining.
- Determine appropriate machining strategies, tooling, workholding, cutting parameters, and operation sequences.
- Operate CNC mills and lathes while maintaining tight tolerances and high-quality surface finishes.
- Lead troubleshooting of machining, programming, tooling, workholding, dimensional, and process issues.
- Optimize existing programs to reduce cycle time, improve tool life, increase machine utilization, and improve process capability.
- Establish repeatable manufacturing processes for new and existing aerospace and defense components.
- Review engineering drawings and specifications to identify manufacturability concerns and recommend improvements.
- Apply GD&T requirements and ensure manufactured components conform to engineering drawings and customer specifications.
- Select and qualify cutting tools, inserts, holders, fixtures, and workholding solutions.
- Design or assist with the design of fixtures and manufacturing aids.
- Perform in-process inspection using precision measuring equipment including micrometers, calipers, bore gauges, height gauges, and indicators.
- Support first article inspections and related documentation.
- Maintain accurate CNC programs, setup documentation, tooling information, and revision controls.
- Work closely with engineering, quality, production, and management to resolve technical issues and meet production requirements.
- Provide technical leadership, training, and mentoring to CNC machinists and operators.
- Establish machining best practices and standardize programming, setup, tooling, and production methods.
- Assist with estimating machining time, tooling requirements, setup requirements, and manufacturing complexity for new work.
- Identify opportunities for automation, cycle-time reduction, and continuous improvement.
- Maintain clean, safe, organized, and efficient machining work areas.
- Ensure compliance with company quality procedures, safety requirements, and applicable aerospace and defense manufacturing requirements.
Required Qualifications
- 5+ years of CNC machining experience in a precision manufacturing environment.
- Significant hands-on experience programming, setting up, and operating both CNC mills and CNC lathes.
- Proven hands-on experience with Okuma CNC lathes.
- Advanced proficiency in Mastercam, including development and optimization of CNC milling and turning programs.
- Strong CNC programming knowledge and demonstrated ability to develop programs for complex precision components.
- Strong understanding of G-code, M-code, feeds, speeds, cutting conditions, cutter compensation, tool offsets, and machining fundamentals.
- Strong knowledge of multi-axis milling and CNC turning processes.
- Ability to independently take a component from print/model through programming, setup, machining, and inspection.
- Strong blueprint reading skills.
- Advanced understanding of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
- Demonstrated ability to hold tight dimensional and geometric tolerances.
- Strong knowledge of cutting tools, toolholding, workholding, fixturing, and machining strategy.
- Experience machining aerospace and defense materials such as aluminum, stainless steels, alloy steels, titanium, nickel-based alloys, and engineering plastics.
- Proficiency with precision inspection equipment.
- Strong troubleshooting and root-cause analysis skills.
- Ability to train and mentor machinists with varying levels of experience.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing conforming parts.
- Ability to work independently and make sound technical decisions in a production environment.
- Must be a U.S. citizen due to contractual requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
- Direct experience programming, setting up, and operating an Okuma LB3000 EX II CNC lathe.
- Experience with Okuma OSP controls.
- Experience manufacturing components for aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated industries.
- Experience working within an AS9100 or similar quality management system.
- Advanced Mastercam experience with complex 3-axis, 4-axis, and 5-axis toolpaths.
- Experience with 4-axis and 5-axis machining.
- Experience with live tooling, Y-axis, sub-spindle, or multi-tasking CNC lathes.
- Experience developing fixtures and workholding for complex or low-volume components.
- Familiarity with first article inspection requirements, including AS9102.
- Familiarity with CMM inspection and inspection software.
- Experience implementing machining process improvements and cycle-time reductions.
- Experience supporting new product introduction and manufacturing engineering activities.
Leadership Expectations
The Lead CNC Programmer & Machinist is expected to serve as the technical authority for day-to-day CNC machining operations while remaining actively involved in programming, setups, troubleshooting, and machining.
- Setting the standard for machining quality and workmanship.
- Mentoring machinists on programming, setup, tooling, and troubleshooting techniques.
- Reviewing difficult jobs and developing machining strategies before production begins.
- Helping assign work based on machine capability, personnel skill level, and production priorities.
- Supporting management with equipment, tooling, and process improvement recommendations.
- Promoting accountability, organization, continuous improvement, and attention to detail throughout the machining department.
Quality and Compliance
Because this position supports aerospace and defense manufacturing, the successful candidate must demonstrate a strong commitment to documentation, traceability, configuration control, and compliance with established manufacturing processes.
The Lead CNC Programmer & Machinist will be expected to follow all applicable company procedures and customer requirements related to quality, inspection, material control, program revision, tooling, documentation, and product acceptance.
U.S. citizenship is required for this position due to contractual requirements associated with certain customer programs.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand and work around CNC machinery for extended periods.
- Ability to safely lift and handle tooling, fixtures, raw materials, and components consistent with company safety requirements.
- Ability to use precision measuring equipment and perform detailed visual inspection.
- Ability to safely work in a manufacturing and machine-shop environment.
What Success Looks Like
Success in this position means consistently producing high-quality, conforming parts while improving the capability and efficiency of the CNC department. The Lead CNC Programmer & Machinist should be someone the team can rely on to solve difficult machining problems, develop robust Mastercam programs, effectively operate and troubleshoot Okuma CNC lathes, train other machinists, and ensure complex aerospace and defense components are manufactured correctly the first time.
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