CNC Lathe Setup Technician/Machinist

Advanced Structural Technologies

Oxnard (CA)

On-site

USD 52,000 - 69,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

401(k) Savings Plan

Company-Sponsored Life Insurance

Short-Term & Long-Term Disability

Paid Holidays

Job summary

Advanced Structural Technologies (AST) in Oxnard, CA seeks a CNC Lathe Setup Technician to own complete wheel-machine setups from print to first article. You will work on high-mix aluminum wheel parts, tune tooling, and optimize cycles while maintaining tight tolerances for mission-critical components.

The role emphasizes documentation, process improvements, and collaboration with engineering and QA teams to drive repeatable methods and quality on the shop floor.

Qualifications

5+ years setting up and running CNC lathes in a high-mix environment.
Experience machining aftermarket or OEM aluminum wheels is strongly preferred.
Able to read, edit, and write G-code and interpret GD&T on complex drawings.

Responsibilities

Set up and run horizontal and vertical CNC lathes; own complete setups from blueprint to first article.
Read detailed drawings and apply wheel-specific workholding and tooling strategies.
Edit CNC programs to optimize cycle time, finish, and tool life; ensure conformance to tolerances.
Develop setup sheets and work instructions; support process improvements across shifts.
Collaborate with engineering and QA to resolve issues and improve yield.

Skills

5+ years CNC lathe setup

read and interpret prints/drawings

GD&T knowledge

problem solving and attention to room

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Technical/trade school background (plus)

Tools

Haas controls

Okuma controls

Fanuc controls

G-code editing

Job description

About Us

Advanced Structural Technologies (AST) is a leading manufacturer specializing in forged, flow-formed, and machined products for the aerospace, defense, and automotive industries. With over 25 years of experience, AST has built a strong reputation for precision engineering, innovation, and high-quality manufacturing.

Located in Oxnard, California, AST operates out of a cutting-edge facility spanning over 250,000 sq. ft., including our newest expansion completed in 2024. AST employs approximately 200 skilled professionals across multi-shift operations, ensuring efficiency, precision, and timely delivery for mission-critical industries.

Position Overview

We are looking for a CNC Lathe Setup Technician who takes pride in their craft and wants to work on parts that matter. A significant portion of this role is focused on the machining of aftermarket aluminum wheels — a high-mix product line that demands speed, repeatability, and mastery of wheel-specific workholding setups. You will own your setups from start to finish — reading the print, selecting tooling, dialing in the program, and walking the first article over to QA with confidence.

We’re looking for someone who brings manufacturing engineering thinking to the floor — someone who can document what they’ve learned, contribute to process improvements, and help build repeatable, efficient methods for the jobs they run. If you’re the person other machinists ask for help and you understand the ‘why’ behind what you do, we want to talk to you.

CNC Setup & Operations

Set up and operate horizontal and vertical CNC lathes including Haas, Okuma, and Fanuc controls
Own complete setups from blueprint to first article approval across various product lines
Read and interpret detailed engineering drawings and GD&T to determine the best approach for each job
Select tooling, workholding, and machining strategies for high-precision turning operations
Edit and optimize CNC programs at the machine to improve cycle time, surface finish, and tool life
Verify part dimensions using precision measuring instruments (calipers, micrometers, indicators, etc.) and ensure conformance with print tolerances
Diagnose and resolve machining issues, tool wear, and setup inconsistencies before they impact quality or schedule

Wheel Machining & Workholding

Set up and run aftermarket aluminum wheel machining operations with emphasis on accuracy, surface finish, and cycle efficiency
Configure and adjust wheel-specific workholding including finger chucks and pie jaws to accommodate a variety of wheel geometries and sizes
Ensure proper clamping, centering, and support to prevent distortion and maintain bore and face concentricity across wheel families
Recognize and troubleshoot workholding-related issues such as chatter, runout, and part shift that are common in wheel machining
Apply knowledge of aluminum alloy behavior to optimize speeds, feeds, and tooling for consistent finish quality on wheel bores, faces, and pilots

Manufacturing Engineering Support

Develop and maintain setup sheets, work instructions, and tooling lists to support repeatable, consistent setups across operators and shifts
Apply working knowledge of aluminum-alloy machining to make informed decisions on speeds, feeds, and tooling selection
Support design for manufacturing by contributing machining expertise during process planning and first-article runs
Participate in root cause analysis and corrective action efforts for scrap, rework, and non-conforming parts
Identify and propose process improvements that reduce cycle time, improve yield, or increase setup efficiency; document and implement approved changes
Collaborate with manufacturing engineering, programming, and quality teams to refine processes and close gaps between the shop floor and engineering

Documentation & Quality

Maintain accurate setup sheets, tool lists, and inspection records to support repeatability
Complete in-process inspection and first article documentation in compliance with traveler and quality requirements
Communicate drawing interpretation questions, tolerance concerns, or manufacturability issues to engineering proactively

Qualifications

5+ years of experience setting up and running CNC lathes in a high-mix manufacturing environment
Experience machining aftermarket or OEM aluminum wheels strongly preferred; familiarity with finger chucks, cam arms, rest pads, and pie jaws is a significant plus
Hands-on experience with horizontal and/or vertical CNC lathes; familiarity with Haas, Okuma, and Fanuc controls preferred
Ability to read, edit, and write G-code at the machine
Deep understanding of turning processes, speeds and feeds, tool selection, and workholding strategy
Working knowledge of material properties and how they influence machining decisions
Ability to read and interpret complex mechanical drawings and GD&T
Experience contributing to setup documentation, work instructions, or process improvement efforts
Experience machining tight-tolerance parts in aerospace, defense, automotive, or other high-precision industries strongly preferred
Strong attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and a commitment to quality workmanship
Ability to lift up to 45 lbs and stand for extended periods
High school diploma or equivalent required; technical training, apprenticeship, or trade school background a plus