Advanced Manufacturing Technician – CNC

Socket.dev; Schofield (WI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Gordon Aluminum in Wisconsin is seeking an experienced Advanced Manufacturing Technician - CNC to join our manufacturing team on the shop floor. This is a hands-on role focused on complex setups, troubleshooting, and driving process improvements.

You will optimize tooling, feeds, speeds, and machining sequences, read blueprints with GD&T, and help production teams consistently manufacture quality parts efficiently. Extensive CNC knowledge and hands-on ability are essential.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive, hands-on CNC machining experience preferred, including setup experience.
• Strong CNC mill setup, operation and troubleshooting experience.
• Ability to independently complete complex or challenging setups.
• Ability to read and interpret complex blueprints and GD&T.

Responsibilities

• Independently perform complex CNC mill setups, including tooling and fixtures.
• Troubleshoot medium- to high-complexity CNC problems.
• Analyze dimensional, quality and machining issues and determine root causes.
• Make CNC program and G-code edits to support production.
• Evaluate and optimize tooling, feeds, speeds and sequences.
• Run and verify first-piece production to meet blueprint specs.
• Train CNC operators on established processes and best practices.

Skills

CNC machining

CNC setup

Troubleshooting

GD&T knowledge

Blueprint interpretation

Metrology

G-code editing

Education

Technical degree or CNC certification

Tools

CNC programming tools

Job description

Description

Position Overview

Gordon Aluminum is seeking an experienced Advanced Manufacturing Technician - CNC to join our manufacturing team.

This is a hands-on shop floor position - not a desk-based engineering role.

We are looking for an experienced CNC professional who has progressed beyond simply operating machines or performing routine setups. This position is responsible for complex CNC setups, troubleshooting, process optimization, standardized work, and helping production teams consistently manufacture quality parts efficiently.

The ideal candidate may currently be working as a CNC Setup Technician, CNC Programmer, CNC Machinist, CNC Process Technician, Manufacturing Technician, Tool & Die professional, or similar advanced machining role. A specific job title is less important to us than demonstrated CNC knowledge and hands-on ability.

What You'll Do

• Independently perform complex CNC mill setups, including tooling, fixtures and work holding.
• Troubleshoot medium- to high-complexity CNC machining and setup problems.
• Analyze dimensional, quality and machining issues and determine root causes.
• Make appropriate CNC program and G-code edits to support successful production.
• Evaluate and optimize tooling, feeds, speeds, cutting parameters and machining sequences.
• Run and verify first-piece production to ensure parts meet blueprint specifications.
• Use precision measuring equipment including calipers, micrometers, indicators, depth micrometers and other metrology equipment.
• Read and interpret blueprints, tolerances and GD&T.
• Identify opportunities to reduce setup time, cycle time, scrap, rework and production downtime.
• Develop and improve setup sheets, work instructions and standardized processes for production.
• Train CNC operators and setup personnel on established processes and best practices.
• Assist production when difficult or recurring machining problems occur.
• Work closely with Engineering, Quality and Production to resolve manufacturing issues.
• Evaluate existing manufacturing processes and recommend more efficient methods.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives designed to increase throughput, quality and process reliability.
• Help ensure that successful setups and process improvements are standardized so results can be consistently repeated across shifts.
• Maintain a strong focus on safety, quality and productivity while working directly on the manufacturing floor.

Requirements

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone with significant hands-on CNC machining experience who understands not only how to set up a CNC machine, but also why a machining process works - and what to change when it doesn't.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive, hands-on CNC machining experience preferred, including significant experience setting up CNC equipment.
• Strong CNC mill setup, operation and troubleshooting experience.
• Ability to independently complete complex or problematic setups.
• Working knowledge of CNC programming and G-code editing.
• Strong understanding of machining principles, cutting tools, work holding, feeds and speeds.
• Ability to read and interpret complex blueprints and manufacturing specifications.
• Strong understanding of tolerances and GD&T.
• Proficiency with precision measuring equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot machining, dimensional and quality problems.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to document processes and communicate clear instructions to production employees.
• Ability to train and coach CNC operators and setup personnel.
• Comfortable working independently and taking ownership of problems through resolution.
• Ability to work directly on the manufacturing floor around CNC equipment.

Education

A technical degree or certification in CNC machining, machine tool technology, manufacturing technology or a related field is preferred but not required.

Extensive hands-on CNC experience may substitute for formal education.

If you've built your CNC knowledge through years of working on the shop floor, we want to hear from you.

This Position May Be a Fit If You Are Currently A:

• CNC Setup Technician
• CNC Setup Operator
• CNC Programmer
• CNC Machinist
• Senior CNC Machinist
• CNC Process Technician
• Manufacturing Technician
• Manufacturing Engineering Technician
• Tool & Die Maker
• Toolmaker
• Machining Technician
• CNC Applications Technician

How This Role Is Different

Our CNC Machine Operators are responsible for operating equipment and producing quality parts according to established processes. Our CNC Setup Operators establish machine setups, produce first pieces and make necessary adjustments. The current Gordon CNC Setup Operator role specifically includes pulling tooling and fixtures, setting the program, running the first piece, obtaining first-piece approval and leaving instructions for the operator.

The Advanced Manufacturing Technician - CNC operates at the next technical level.

This person is expected to take ownership of difficult setups, diagnose recurring problems, improve machining processes, optimize CNC programs and tooling, standardize successful methods, and develop the capabilities of the production team.

We aren't simply looking for someone who knows how to run a CNC machine. We're looking for someone who understands CNC machining well enough to make the entire process better.

Physical & Work Environment

This is a hands-on manufacturing position. The employee will regularly work on the production floor around CNC machinery and moving mechanical equipment. The position requires standing, walking, reaching, bending and working directly with manufacturing equipment and may occasionally require lifting up to 50 pounds.

Required personal protective equipment must be worn while working on the production floor.

Current Open Positions for this field

• Manufacturing Engineer Technician I (MET I)
• Manufacturing Engineer Technician II (MET II)