CNC Lathe Setup Machinist

Dakota Digital, Inc.; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Bonuses

Air-conditioned, well-lit environment

Job summary

Dakota Digital is seeking an experienced CNC Lathe Setup Machinist to join our in-house shop in Sioux Falls. You will set up CNC lathes and turning centers, prove out jobs, troubleshoot machining issues, and get machines running correctly and efficiently.

With a solid CNC turning background, you’ll focus on tooling, workholding, offsets, and process optimization, while production handles loading. Training is provided on our equipment; hours are 6:00 AM – 2:30 PM, first shift, with some

Qualifications

• Experience setting up CNC lathes and turning centers with strong machining background.
• Ability to read mechanical drawings and tolerances.
• Proficient with precision measuring tools (micrometers, calipers, bore gauges).
• Knowledge of toolholding, offsets, and cutting conditions.

Responsibilities

• Perform complete CNC lathe setups and changeovers.
• Install and set cutting tools, boring bars, drills, inserts, and other tooling.
• Set up chucks, collets, jaws, and other workholding.
• Load CNC programs and establish tool and work offsets.
• Prove out setups and produce first-piece parts.
• Read and interpret prints, dimensions, and tolerances.
• Inspect parts with precision measuring equipment.
• Troubleshoot issues affecting setup and cycle times.
• Maintain accurate setup info for repeat jobs.

Skills

CNC lathe setup

Read drawings

Precision measurement

Troubleshooting

Machining fundamentals

Tools

Okuma L370 lathe

Okuma LB300MY

Bar feeders

Okuma OSP/P200

Job description

Dakota Digital

Sioux Falls, SD

Full-Time | First Shift

Hours: 6:00 AM – 2:30 PM, with some scheduling flexibility

Overtime: Available

Pay: Based on experience

Position Summary

Dakota Digital is looking for an experienced CNC Lathe Setup Machinist to join our in-house machine shop in Sioux Falls. The primary focus of this position is setting up CNC lathes and turning centers, proving out jobs, troubleshooting machining issues, and getting machines running correctly and efficiently. Production operators handle much of the repetitive part loading once a setup is established, allowing this position to focus heavily on setups, tooling, workholding, offsets, machining processes, and problem-solving. We are looking for someone with a solid CNC turning background who understands machining beyond simply loading parts and pressing cycle start. You do not need experience with our exact equipment. With the right machining foundation, we can train you on our machines and processes.

Our Turning Equipment

• Two Okuma L370 CNC lathes with bar feeders
• Okuma LB300MY CNC lathe
• Okuma OSP/P200 controls

What You'll Do

• Perform complete CNC lathe setups and changeovers
• Install and set cutting tools, boring bars, drills, inserts, and other tooling
• Set up chucks, collets, jaws, and other workholding
• Bore or modify soft jaws as required
• Load CNC programs and establish tool and work offsets
• Make appropriate G-code edits and adjustments at the machine
• Prove out setups and produce acceptable first-piece parts
• Read and interpret prints, dimensions, and tolerances
• Inspect parts using micrometers, calipers, bore gauges, indicators, thread gauges, and other precision measuring equipment
• Make tool, wear, and work-offset adjustments
• Troubleshoot chatter, chip control, surface finish, dimensional, tooling, and workholding issues
• Adjust speeds, feeds, and cutting conditions as needed
• Operate machines as production needs require
• Work with production operators to ensure setups run consistently
• Identify opportunities to reduce setup and cycle times
• Maintain accurate setup information for repeat jobs

What We're Looking For

• Previous CNC lathe or turning-center experience
• CNC setup experience or a strong machining background with the ability to quickly learn independent setups
• Ability to read mechanical drawings and tolerances
• Knowledge of cutting tools, inserts, toolholding, and workholding
• Ability to use precision measuring equipment
• Understanding of tool and work offsets
• Understanding of speeds, feeds, and cutting conditions
• Ability to read and make appropriate edits to CNC programs
• Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills

Preferred, But Not Required

• Okuma CNC lathe experience
• Okuma OSP/P200 control experience
• Bar feeder experience
• Live-tooling or Y-axis turning experience
• G-code programming/editing experience
• GibbsCAM experience

The Work

• 75% aluminum
• 20% mild steel
• 5% plastics

Benefits

• Health insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Bonuses
• Air-conditioned, well-lit manufacturing environment

About Dakota Digital

Dakota Digital designs and manufactures instrumentation and electronics for the automotive and motorcycle aftermarket. Our products are used in everything from classic cars and hot rods to custom trucks and motorcycles. Our machine shop manufactures components used directly in these products, giving our machinists the opportunity to work on a variety of parts and see where their work ultimately ends up. Dakota Digital is continuing to grow, with a new manufacturing facility planned for our machine shop.

If you enjoy CNC turning, machine setups, and solving machining problems, we would like to hear from you.