CNC Machinist & Programmer, McDonald Observatory

University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-paid health coverage

Retirement contributions (TRS)

Paid vacation and holidays

Paid holidays

Job summary

University of Texas at Austin seeks a CNC Machinist & Programmer for the McDonald Observatory to program, set up, and operate CNC tooling, including mills, lathes, and wire EDM. MasterCAM proficiency is required, with an emphasis on precision and safety.

The role is based on UT’s Austin campus with a focus on high-accuracy astronomical instrument components. Applicants should have strong drafting interpretation skills and a drive to learn advanced manufacturing techniques.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with technical shop training.
• Proficient MasterCAM programming and operating CNC machines.
• Four years of skilled machine work or instrument making beyond apprenticeship.

Responsibilities

• Program, set up, and operate CNC mills, lathes, and wire EDM.
• Fabricate precision parts from drawings and solid models.
• Assist researchers in instrument design and construction.

Skills

MasterCAM

CNC Programming

CNC Milling

CNC Lathe

Wire EDM

CAM Programming

Education

High school diploma

Vocational machine shop courses

Tools

Hurco

HAAS

Fanuc WEDM

Job description

Job Posting Title

CNC Machinist & Programmer, McDonald Observatory

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Hiring Department

McDonald Observatory

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Position Open To

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours

40

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FLSA Status

Non-Exempt from FLSA

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Earliest Start Date

Immediately

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Position Duration

Expected to Continue

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Location

UT MAIN CAMPUS

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Job Details

General Notes

The McDonald Observatory CNC Machinist & Programmer is responsible for producing quality precision machined parts for astronomical instruments by programming, setting up, and operating a computer numerical control (CNC) machine while maintaining excellence and safety standards. Programming with MasterCAM (required) on CNC vertical mills, lathes, and wire EDM machines. Experience with 3D surfacing.

This position is located in Austin on the UT Campus. The observatory fosters an environment that emphasizes personal responsibility, continuous improvement, teamwork, innovation, and safety. Applicants selected for interviews are encouraged to bring samples of their work and may be requested to perform MasterCAM skills.

UT Austin offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• 100% employer-paid basic medical coverage.
• Retirement contributions; options are: Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
• Paid vacation and sick time.
• Paid holidays.
• Please visit our Human Resources (HR) website to learn more about the total benefits offered.

Purpose

To perform highly skilled and technical supervisory work fabricating precision parts from drawings and solid models by programming, setting up, and operating CNC vertical milling machine, CNC lathe, and CNC wire EDM. Use manual machine tools and all other machine shop-related equipment as necessary.

Responsibilities

• Fabricate high-quality, high-precision parts efficiently and on time using CAM programming and by setting up and operating CNC milling machines, lathes, and wire EDM. Use personal judgment and initiative to match the machining process, layout, and setup to the job, including designing and building fixtures and jigs when necessary. Performs other duties as required to meet the business needs.
• Use manual milling machines, lathes, and similar equipment to fabricate parts.
• Assist researchers and design personnel in planning instrument design and construction, drawing on practical knowledge from shop experience.
• Maintain general use of perishable tools and instruct students and others using the machine shop as needed. Stay current on new manufacturing methods, practices, and tools. Instruct students and others using the shop as needed.
• Assemble, modify, repair, and maintain instruments and equipment, including mills, lathes, and wire EDM machines, for the Observatory, the shop, and the Astronomy Department.

Required Qualifications

• High school graduation or GED, supplemented by or including a vocational machine shop and other technical courses such as mathematics, physics, and blueprint reading.
• Professional level of MasterCAM software to program CNC machines, ability to set up and operate CNC machines, and using PC computers to run programs and save files.
• Four years skilled construction and maintenance of equipment, or as an instrument maker or machinist beyond the apprentice level.
• Advanced knowledge of choosing and loading the correct cutting tools, tool paths and adjusting machine settings to the desired product specification.
• Advanced knowledge using a lathe, milling machines, drill press, micrometers, and other precision measuring devices.
• Good working knowledge of trigonometry, geometry, and basic math.
• Follows instructions when selecting appropriate tooling and fixtures.
• Ability to work independently, work under pressure, accept supervision, maintain a professional demeanor, work as a team member without day-to-day supervision, and effectively communicate with supervisors, co-workers, and customers.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Motivated and shows willingness to learn.
• Willingness to teach others machining skills if necessary.
• Demonstrates a strong mechanical aptitude.
• Regular and punctual attendance.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five or more years of experience as an instrument maker, machinist, or tool and die maker.
• Five or more years of experience programming and operating CNC mills, lathes, and wire EDM machines (specifically, Hurco, HAAS, and Fanuc WEDM), and planning, laying out and setting up tooling, jigs, and fixtures to fabricate single-part or multi-part jobs.
• Five or more years of experience using MasterCAM software to program CNC machines.
• Knowledge of solid modeling software (specifically, Inventor and SolidWorks), MasterCAM tool libraries, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing.
• Technical courses such as machine tool programming and blueprint reading.

Salary Range

$60,000 + depending on experience and qualifications

Working Conditions

• Usual machine, scientific, or engineering shop conditions, such as sitting, walking, standing, squatting, stooping, and reaching
• Work under supervision
• Maintains a safe work environment
• Follows established procedures as well as quality and safety standards
• May be required to work multiple machines simultaneously
• Exposure to a variety of experimental laboratory shop conditions
• Handles deadlines and overlapping projects
• May work around chemicals and chemical fumes
• May work around electrical and mechanical hazards
• May work around standard office conditions
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation and use of a computer
• May work around bio-hazards
• May work around hazardous chemicals and cryogenic liquids
• Use of manual dexterity
• Climbing of stairs
• Heavy lifting and moving
• Working with heavy machinery
• Use of approved safety equipment if required

Work Shift

• Monday to Friday
• 8-hour shift plus lunch break

Required Materials

• Letter of interest
• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers

You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure thatALLRequired Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers

As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left-hand navigation menu, and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. In addition, you must respond to the application questionspresented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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Employment Eligibility

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

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Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

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Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer,complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

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Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), to identify a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.