CNC Lathe Machinist

MIT Lincoln Laboratory; Lexington (MA); On-site; USD 58,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

MIT Lincoln Laboratory’s Fabrication Engineering Group is seeking an experienced machinist to operate CNC lathes with live tooling and to program via CAM from 2D/3D CAD models. The role emphasizes developing fabrication strategies, fixture design, and autonomy while collaborating with engineers and other machinists on high-complexity hardware.

The position offers a path to grow into milling, diamond turning, and additive manufacturing, with competitive hourly pay and relocation assistance.

Qualifications

• 5+ years direct experience in setup, operation, and conversational programming of CNC lathe with live tooling.
• 2+ years of CAM software programming experience.
• Strong reading of mechanical drawings and GD&T.
• Ability to design and fabricate basic fixtures.
• Comfortable using inspection tools (calipers, gauges, micrometers).

Responsibilities

• Set up, operate, and conversationally program CNC lathes with live tooling for prototype and low-volume production work.
• Develop a fabrication strategy and identify tooling/fixturing required for each job.
• Design and build custom fixtures with minimal oversight.
• Read drawings and apply GD&T to hold tight tolerances.
• Program using CAM software from 2D/3D CAD models.
• Collaborate with machinists and engineers on complex hardware.
• Maintain a clean, safe, organized work area.
• Pursue advanced training in milling, turning, or additive manufacturing.

Skills

CNC lathe with live tooling

CAM programming

GD&T reading

Fixture design

Read drawings

Education

Two-year technical school

Tools

DMG Mori NLX 2000SY

Celos controller

Job description

At a glance Company: MIT Lincoln Laboratory Location: Lexington, MA 02420 Pay: $42.50 – $52.54/hour Job Type: Full Time Experience: 5+ years Machines: CNC lathe with live tooling (DMG Mori NLX 2000SY a plus) Controls: Celos (experience a plus) Software: CAM and 2D/3D CAD

Why this job is worth considering

MIT Lincoln Laboratory's Fabrication Engineering Group (Group 72) builds low-volume, high-complexity hardware for national security programs — space imaging, high-energy lasers, ground-based radar, and undersea communications. This opening is centered on CNC lathe work with live tooling and conversational programming, with room to grow into milling, diamond turning, and additive manufacturing as your skills expand. You'll develop your own fabrication strategy, design and build custom fixtures, and work with real autonomy on most jobs while collaborating closely with other machinists and engineers on the more complex work.

What you'll be doing

• Set up, operate, and conversationally program CNC lathes with live tooling for prototype and low-volume production work
• Develop a fabrication strategy for each job and identify the tooling and fixturing it requires
• Design and build custom fixtures with minimal oversight on most hardware
• Read mechanical drawings and apply GD&T to hold precise tolerances
• Program using CAM software and work from 2D/3D CAD models
• Collaborate with other machinists and engineers on more complex or unusual hardware
• Keep a clean, organized, and safety-compliant work area
• Take on advanced training in milling, diamond turning, or additive manufacturing as your skills grow

Machines, controls and software

This role centers on CNC lathe work with live tooling and conversational programming; a DMG Mori NLX 2000SY running a Celos controller is a plus. Experience with manual and CNC mills and manual lathes is valued as well. Programming is done with CAM software from 2D/3D CAD models, alongside standard MS Office tools.

What we're looking for

Required

• 5+ years of direct experience in setup, operation, and conversational programming of CNC lathe with live tooling
• 2+ years of experience programming with CAM software
• Strong reading of mechanical drawings and understanding of GD&T
• Ability to design and fabricate basic fixtures
• Comfortable using basic hand tools and inspection equipment (calipers, thread/pin gauges, micrometers, dial indicators, etc.)
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and collaboratively in a team environment
• Enthusiasm for learning new fabrication techniques, technologies, and machine tools
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs

Preferred

• Graduation from a two-year technical school
• Previous experience in a high-mix, low-volume job shop environment
• Experience with the DMG Mori NLX 2000SY and Celos controller
• Experience with manual and CNC mills and manual lathes
• Experience machining aluminum, titanium, Invar, stainless steel, Inconel, metal matrix composites, or various polymers
• Experience mentoring less experienced machinists
• Familiarity with digital fabrication tools such as Model Based Definition (MBD) and PLM software (Aras Innovator)

Pay, Benefits and Schedule

$42.50–$52.54 per hour, based on experience. Standard hours, with occasional overtime to meet critical program milestones. Relocation assistance is available for this role.

About MIT Lincoln Laboratory and Apply

MIT Lincoln Laboratory pushes the boundaries of science and engineering to design, model, and fabricate technologies and prototype systems for national security applications, including space imaging, high-energy lasers, long-range laser communications, ground-based radar, and undersea communication terminals. Its Fabrication Engineering Group (Group 72) works alongside program teams from initial design through manufacturing, assembly, integration, and testing to build low-volume, high-complexity hardware in program integration spaces, cleanrooms, and space simulation chambers.