CNC Lathe Programmer / Setup Machinist

Hirebridge; Connecticut; On-site; USD 52,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly pay

Overtime opportunities

Employer-paid life insurance

Paid holidays

Paid time off

401(k) retirement plan

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Vision insurance

Air-conditioned work environment

Job summary

Hirebridge is seeking a skilled CNC Lathe Programmer / Setup Machinist for aerospace components. You will own programming, setup, machining, and inspection for low-volume, high-mix parts, working with GD&T and tight tolerances.

The role offers full-time employment in a privately held shop, with opportunities to work on Mastercam, Fusion 360, and CAM programming, plus competitive pay and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of CNC lathe setup and operation experience.
• Ability to program and edit CNC lathe programs using G-code/M-code or conversational controls.
• Ability to complete machine setups independently, including tooling and workholding.
• Experience machining tight-tolerance components with demanding surface-finish and dimensional requirements.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and apply GD&T.
• Experience performing first-article, in-process, and final inspections.
• Ability to work independently in a low-volume, high-mix manufacturing environment with frequent job changes.
• Basic computer skills for ERP/MES systems, email, program management, and electronic records.
• Strong troubleshooting skills, attention to detail, and commitment to quality.

Responsibilities

• Program, set up, operate, and monitor CNC lathes and turning centers used to manufacture precision components.
• Develop, edit, and optimize programs using G-code/M-code or conversational CNC controls.
• Prepare complete machine setups, including workholding, tooling selection, offsets, and setup verification.
• Validate initial parts before releasing jobs into production.
• Interpret engineering drawings, 3D models, process sheets, travelers, and customer specifications.
• Maintain accurate programs, tool lists, setup sheets, revision information, and machining documentation.

Skills

5+ years CNC lathe setup/operation

G-code/M-code or conversational CNC

GD&T interpretation

First-article/inspection

Independent work in low-volume, high-m

ERP/MES basics

Troubleshooting & process improvement

Tools

Mastercam

Fusion 360

CAM programming

Job description

CNC Lathe Programmer / Setup Machinist - Aerospace Components

Full-Time | Precision CNC Machining | Low-Volume Production

Take ownership of precision aerospace machining jobs from programming and setup through production and inspection. This hands-on opportunity is suited to an experienced CNC lathe professional who enjoys technical variety, frequent changeovers, tight tolerances, and the independence to manage complex machining work with minimal supervision.

Why This Role Stands Out

• Aerospace & Defense Applications: Produce precision components used in demanding aerospace and defense programs.

• End-to-End Job Ownership: Handle programming, setup, machining, and inspection rather than focusing on machine operation alone.

• Varied Technical Work: Work on low-volume, high-mix jobs with different materials, geometries, and machining requirements.

• Programming & Setup: Apply your G-code/M-code or conversational programming skills to real machining challenges.

• Precision Manufacturing: Use your knowledge of GD&T, tight tolerances, surface finish, and dimensional inspection.

• Experienced Team Environment: Join a privately owned aerospace manufacturing organization with more than 50 years in business, a small-company atmosphere, and varied project work.

• Comprehensive Benefits: Access health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement benefits, paid time off, and employer-paid life insurance.

What You'll Be Doing

CNC Programming & Machine Setup

• Program, set up, operate, and monitor CNC lathes and turning centers used to manufacture precision components.

• Develop, edit, and optimize programs using G-code/M-code or conversational CNC controls.

• Prepare complete machine setups, including workholding, tooling selection, offsets, and setup verification.

• Validate initial parts before releasing jobs into production.

• Interpret engineering drawings, 3D models, process sheets, travelers, and customer specifications.

• Maintain accurate programs, tool lists, setup sheets, revision information, and machining documentation.

Precision Machining & Process Control

• Machine components from materials including aluminum, stainless steel, steel alloys, and plastics.

• Produce low-volume aerospace parts requiring close dimensional control and consistent workmanship.

• Maintain required tolerances for dimensions, concentricity, runout, and surface finish.

• Adjust tooling, offsets, and machining parameters to achieve print requirements.

• Troubleshoot machining issues and identify opportunities to improve process consistency, reduce setup time, and minimize scrap.

• Perform routine machine care and maintain accurate maintenance logs.

Inspection & Quality Assurance

• Conduct first-article, in-process, and final inspections.

• Use micrometers, calipers, bore gauges, thread gauges, height gauges, indicators, pin gauges, and surface-finish instruments.

• Apply GD&T principles to verify part features, datum relationships, location, orientation, profile, and runout.

• Record inspection results and maintain required traceability documentation.

• Identify and segregate nonconforming components.

• Support root-cause investigations, corrective actions, and disposition activities when quality issues arise.

Documentation & Shop Organization

• Maintain organized tooling, fixtures, programs, setup records, and electronic documentation.

• Use ERP/MES systems and basic computer applications to support job tracking and production records.

• Keep the work area clean, organized, and ready for quality audits.

• Follow established manufacturing, safety, and quality procedures.

What You Need

• 5+ years of CNC lathe setup and operation experience.

• Demonstrated ability to program and edit CNC lathe programs using G-code/M-code or conversational controls.

• Ability to complete machine setups independently, including tooling and workholding.

• Experience machining tight-tolerance components with demanding surface-finish and dimensional requirements.

• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and apply GD&T.

• Experience performing first-article, in-process, and final inspections.

• Ability to work independently in a low-volume, high-mix manufacturing environment with frequent job changes.

• Basic computer skills for ERP/MES systems, email, program management, and electronic records.

• Strong troubleshooting skills, attention to detail, and commitment to quality.

Preferred Experience

• Aerospace or defense manufacturing

• Medical device or other precision machining

• Mastercam

• Fusion 360

• CAM programming

• Tight-tolerance turning and complex workholding

• Experience with formal quality systems and traceability requirements

Culture & Work Environment

This position offers variety and hands-on responsibility in a privately owned aerospace manufacturing environment. The work emphasizes precision, disciplined setup practices, careful inspection, and reliable documentation.

The company has more than 50 years of experience supporting aerospace and defense contractors with tooling, fixtures, and related manufacturing solutions.

Work-Life Balance & Physical Requirements

• Overtime opportunities are available.

• Air-conditioned work environment.

• Ability to stand for extended periods.

• Manual dexterity for precision measurement, tool setting, and machine operation.

• Ability to work around metal chips, coolant, oils, noise, and moving machinery.

• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, hearing protection, and safety shoes.

• Occasional lifting may be required; the final weight limit should be confirmed before publication.

Compensation & Benefits

The supplied job description lists the following benefits:

• Weekly pay

• Overtime opportunities

• Employer-paid life insurance

• Paid holidays

• Paid time off

• 401(k) retirement plan

• Dental insurance

• Health insurance

• Vision insurance

• Air-conditioned work environment

Pay rate and any additional benefits should be confirmed before publication.

Position Details

Position: CNC Lathe Programmer / Setup Machinist
Industry: Aerospace, Defense & Precision Manufacturing

Pay: $38.00/hr - $45.00/hr
Production Type: Low-volume, high-mix machining
Core Skills: CNC lathe programming, setup, operation, G-code/M-code, GD&T, precision inspection
Employment Type: Full-Time

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified applicants and maintaining a professional workplace built on respect, accountability, quality, and collaboration.