CNC Machinist

H; Livingston (TX); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

WIPCO Worldwide Instrument Parts Co. is seeking a skilled CNC Machinist to set up, operate, and program CNC mills and lathes to produce precision parts per drawings and quality standards.

The role offers a clear development path from operator to senior programmer, with emphasis on process improvement and efficient production. Responsibilities include setup, tool offsets, in-process inspections, and collaboration with engineering and QA to ensure on-time delivery of high-quality components.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ experience operating CNC mills and/or lathes in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience making minor CNC program edits.
• Strong understanding of GD&T and feeds, speeds, and offsets.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and perform First Article Inspections.
• Proficient with precision measuring equipment and quality inspections.
• Experience with CAD/CAM software and ERP systems.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate CNC mills/lathes, load materials, and verify programs.
• Machine features including pockets, holes, slots, contours, and profiles.
• Perform first-piece and in-process inspections and document results.
• Identify opportunities to improve cycle time, tool life, and part quality.
• Collaborate with Programming and Quality to optimize manufacturing processes.

Skills

CNC Milling

CNC Turning

GD&T

First Article Inspection

Reading Drawings

Tooling & Fixturing

Programming basics

Material knowledge

Tools

CAD/CAM software

ERP systems

CNC Machines

Probing systems

Job description

This opening is for our WIPCO -Worldwide Instrument Parts Co. location**Position SummaryThe CNC Machinist is responsible for setting up, operating, and, at higher levels, programming CNC mills and lathes to produce precision components that meet customer drawings, specifications, quality requirements, and production schedules.This position is responsible for taking ownership of assigned jobs from setup through completion, maintaining quality, identifying problems early, and supporting efficient production.The role provides a defined development path from CNC Operator through Senior CNC Machinist / Programmer. As skill and experience increase, the machinist takes on greater responsibility for setup, troubleshooting, process improvement, programming, estimating, and production planning.**Key Responsibilities**1. CNC Machine Operation & SetupSet up and operate CNC mills and CNC lathes according to job requirements.Load and unload raw material, tooling, fixtures, and workholding.Set tool offsets, work offsets, and tool wear offsets.Verify CNC programs, setup sheets, drawings, and work instructions before beginning production.Perform first-piece and in-process checks to verify the machine is producing parts to specification.Make appropriate tool and offset adjustments within established parameters.Monitor machine operation and identify abnormal conditions before they result in quality or equipment issues.Perform machine changeovers and setups efficiently.Maintain consistent setup and machining practices.Properly document and communicate job status, issues, and completed work.**2. CNC MillingSet up and operate CNC vertical, 4thAxis, and/or 5-Axis mills as qualified.Install and qualify tooling, fixtures, and workholding.Machine features including pockets, holes, slots, contours, profiles, and other complex geometries.Select appropriate cutting tools and machining strategies.Establish and adjust work and tool offsets.Monitor tool condition and make adjustments as necessary.Identify opportunities to improve milling cycle time, tool life, and part quality.**3. CNC Turning / LatheSet up and operate CNC lathes, and/or Live Tool Lathes as qualified.Install appropriate tooling, inserts, workholding, and accessories.Machine OD/ID features, shoulders, grooves, threads, tapers, and other turning operations.Establish and adjust work and tool offsets.Monitor tool condition and make appropriate adjustments.Select appropriate feeds, speeds, inserts, and cutting conditions.Identify opportunities to improve turning cycle time, tool life, and part quality.**4. Blueprint, Drawing & GD&TRead and interpret engineering drawings, models, specifications, and work instructions.Understand dimensional tolerances and applicable GD&T requirements.Identify critical dimensions and features requiring additional attention.Understand the relationship between drawing requirements, machining processes, and inspection methods.Identify potential drawing or manufacturability issues before production.Communicate unclear or conflicting requirements to the appropriate person before proceeding.**5. Quality & InspectionPerform required first-piece, in-process, and final inspections.Use precision measuring equipment including calipers, micrometers, indicators, height gauges, bore gauges, gauges, and other inspection equipment.Verify parts meet drawing and customer requirements.Document inspection results as required.Immediately communicate quality issues or process concerns to Quality or Management.Stop and escalate production when a condition could result in nonconforming product.Participate in root-cause investigations and corrective actions when machining-related issues occur.Support efforts to reduce scrap, rework, and recurring defects.**6. Production & Process ImprovementComplete assigned jobs according to established production priorities and schedules.Monitor setup time, cycle time, tool life, and material usage.Identify opportunities to reduce setup time, cycle time, scrap, rework, and tooling costs.Recommend improvements to tooling, workholding, cutting conditions, and machining processes.Help establish and maintain standardized machining methods.Communicate effective processes and lessons learned to other machinists.Participate in continuous improvement initiatives.Maintain accurate and organized work areas to support efficient production.**7. Programming & Manufacturing PlanningResponsibilities increase based on skill level.Develop and modify CNC programs using the company's CAD/CAM system at the appropriate skill level.Review CAD models, drawings, and manufacturing requirements.Select appropriate machining strategies, tooling, workholding, and sequencing.Optimize programs to improve cycle time, tool life, quality, and machine utilization.Review new jobs for manufacturability and identify potential machining challenges.Participate in estimating and provide technical input on:- Setup requirementsCycle timesToolingWorkholdingMaterial requirementsMachining methodsManufacturing risksParticipate in production planning and help determine the most efficient method of manufacturing a job.Provide realistic machining input for quoting and scheduling.Identify potential risks before a job moves into production.Work with Quality, Programming, and Operations to develop effective manufacturing processes.**8. Equipment, Tooling & Work AreaProperly maintain CNC machines, tooling, fixtures, and related equipment.Perform routine machine checks and basic preventive maintenance as required.Maintain proper coolant levels and report coolant or machine issues.Properly handle cutting tools, inserts, chips, raw materials, and finished components.Keep machines and work areas clean, organized, and safe.Report damaged tooling, fixtures, machines, or equipment.Follow all established safety procedures and PPE requirements.**9. Teamwork & CommunicationWork effectively with Programming, Quality, Production, Engineering, and other machinists.Communicate job status, production concerns, and quality issues clearly and promptly.Ask questions when drawings, programs, setups, or instructions are unclear.Assist other machinists with troubleshooting and process questions when qualified.Support training and development of less-experienced machinists as appropriate.**Required QualificationsMinimum 5 years’ experience operating CNC mills and/or CNC lathe in a manufacturing environment.Experience making minor CNC program edits.Understanding of machining processes, tooling, and work holding.Strong understanding of feeds, speeds, tool selection, and offsets.Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings.Ability to use precision measuring equipment.Experience with First Article Inspection requirements.Working knowledge of GD&T.Ability to identify and communicate quality or machining problems.Intermediate Computer and Microsoft skills.Ability to learn and use company ERP, production, and quality systems.Ability to work independently and manage assigned production priorities.Experience machining a variety of materials. i.e. stainless, aluminum, alloy, copper, etc.**Preferred Qualifications10 years’ experience operating CNC mills and/or CNC lathe in a manufacturing environment.Experience machining tight-tolerance and complex components.Advanced knowledge of GD&T.Experience with multi-axis CNC machining centers.Experience with probing systems.Experience with CAD/CAM software.Experience programming CNC mills and/or lathes.Experience participating in estimating or manufacturing planning.Experience machining high-temp alloys and exotic materials.**Machinist Skill LevelsThe CNC Machinist position has four skill levels. Advancement is based on demonstrated capability, quality, productivity, technical knowledge, and ability to work independently.**Level 1 — CNC OperatorSafely operates assigned CNC Mill and/or LatheLoads and unloads material.Follows established programs, setup sheets, and work instructions.Performs basic tool and wear offset adjustments to control tolerance.Performs first-piece and in-process inspections.Identifies and reports quality or machine issues.Maintains a clean and organized work area.Requires supervision and support for setups and process changes.**Level 2 — CNC MachinistIndependently operates assigned CNC Mill and/or LathePerforms machine setups independently.Installs tooling and workholding.Sets work and tool offsets.Performs first-piece and in-process inspections.Performs advanced tool and wear offset adjustments to control tolerance, push off, and taper.Reads and interprets engineering drawings.Troubleshoots common machining issues.Completes jobs with limited supervision.Maintains a clean and organized work area.**Level 3 — Multi-Machine CNC MachinistIndependently setup and operate both CNC mills and lathes.Handles more complex setups and machining operations.Advance understanding of GD&T and how this applies to the machine setup.Troubleshoots machining, tooling, workholding, and process issues.Optimizes feeds, speeds, tooling, and machining conditions.Makes appropriate program edits within established guidelines.Helps improve setup and cycle times.Supports and trains less-experienced machinists.Takes ownership of complex jobs from setup through completion.**Level 4 — Senior CNC Machinist / ProgrammerIndependently supports the full machining process from job review through production.Programs CNC mills and/or lathes using the company's CAD/CAM system.Creates, modifies, and optimizes CNC programs.Develops machining strategies based on drawings, models, tolerances, material, and production requirements.Determines appropriate tooling, workholding, feeds, speeds, and machining methods.Participates in estimating and provides technical input on setup time, cycle time, tooling, material, and manufacturing costs.Participates in production planning and determines efficient manufacturing approaches.Identifies manufacturability concerns before production begins.Troubleshoots complex machining and programming issues.Optimizes existing processes to improve quality, cycle time, tool life, and machine utilization.Helps establish standardized machining processes and best practices.Provides technical leadership and supports training of other machinists.You should be proficient in:GD&TQuality Inspection ExperienceDovetail CNCCNC Tooling5 Why (Root Cause Analysis Method)CNC ProgrammingCNC Machine RepairCNC Machine InstallationCAD SoftwareOSHA 10-Hour Certification (OSHA 10)Design for Manufacturability (DFM)Tape Measure ReadingM-CodeCNC Machine Setup & ChangeoverAdvanced Inspection & Gauge MeasurementNon-Destructive Testing (NDT)Aerospace ManufacturingPrecision Measurement & InspectionCAD/CAM SoftwareNon-conforming Product IDBasic Computer SkillsMachines & technologies you'll use:CNC Mill (3-4 axis VMC)CNC Automation SolutionsCNC Lathe (2-4 axis)CNC Swiss LatheCNC GrinderManual Vertical MillCAD SoftwareERP SoftwareCAM SoftwareCNC Mill (5+ axis VMC)CNC Lathe (5+ axis)Calipers and MicrometersEngine LatheOD/ID Grinding Machine