Cnc Operator $28/hour

Aerotek; Reading (Berks County); On-site; USD 33,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly pay

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) retirement plan

Life Insurance

Paid time off

Employee discounts

Job summary

Aerotek in Reading, PA is seeking a CNC Operator to set up and operate CNC mills and lathes in a plastics shop, ensuring efficient, accurate, and safe production of parts.

You will read blueprints, perform inspections, edit programs, and troubleshoot during shifts. This is a 2nd shift; pay range is $24-28 per hour with benefits and weekly pay; permanent onsite position.

Qualifications

• Experience operating CNC mills and lathes in plastics machining.
• Able to read blueprints and interpret tolerances.
• Familiar with calipers and micrometers for inspection.

Responsibilities

• Prepare CNC machines with tooling, fixtures, and workpieces.
• Load and unload raw material safely.
• Perform visual and dimensional inspections per specs.
• Use calipers and micrometers to verify dimensions.
• Record conforming and nonconforming parts and report issues.
• Troubleshoot and adjust programs or setups.
• Read blueprints and determine machining requirements.
• Maintain safe work practices and clean workspace.
• Support entry-level saw operation as needed.
• Collaborate with team to coordinate workflow.

Skills

CNC Mills

CNC Lathes

Blueprint reading

Calipers / Micrometers

Tooling setup

Quality inspection

Safety compliance

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

High school diploma or equivalent

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

HAAS controls

Other CNC controls

Job description

Job Title: CNC Operator Job Description

The CNC Operator sets up and operates CNC mills and lathes in a plastics machine shop, ensuring efficient, accurate, and safe production of high-quality parts. This role prepares machines for production cycles, performs inspections, maintains detailed records, and troubleshoots issues during the shift while working with advanced equipment and tooling.

Responsibilities

• Prepare CNC machines to start production cycles, including setting up tools, fixtures, and workpieces according to job requirements.
• Load and unload raw material onto the machine safely and efficiently.
• Perform visual and dimensional inspections of parts in accordance with company standards and customer specifications.
• Use measurement tools such as calipers and micrometers to verify part dimensions and tolerances.
• Keep accurate records of conforming and nonconforming products and communicate issues promptly.
• Check and maintain machinery daily to ensure proper functionality and reduce downtime.
• Troubleshoot issues that occur during the shift and make appropriate adjustments to programs, tooling, or setups.
• Set up CNC machines for production runs, including both mills and lathes.
• Edit existing CNC programs as needed to improve quality, efficiency, or to address issues during production.
• Read and interpret blueprints, schematics, and manuals to determine machining requirements and setup parameters.
• Follow established production procedures to meet quality, safety, and productivity targets.
• Adhere consistently to health and safety regulations, including the constant use of appropriate protective gear.
• Collaborate with team members and communicate effectively to coordinate workflow and resolve problems.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area, including proper handling and storage of tooling and materials.
• Support entry-level saw operation as needed, with willingness to learn and assist in related tasks.

Essential Skills

• Hands-on experience operating CNC mills and CNC lathes in a production or machine shop environment.
• Ability to perform CNC machine setup, including tooling, fixturing, and part alignment.
• Experience with editing CNC programs on the machine to adjust for quality or process improvements.
• Strong blueprint reading skills, including interpreting dimensions, tolerances, and machining symbols.
• Working knowledge of high-speed machinery and measurement equipment such as calipers and micrometers.
• Understanding of standard production procedures and machining processes.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematics, and equipment manuals.
• Consistent adherence to health and safety regulations and proper use of protective gear.
• Analytical skills to diagnose machining issues and determine appropriate corrective actions.
• High attention to detail to ensure parts meet required specifications and quality standards.
• Effective teamwork and communication skills in a shop environment.
• High school diploma or equivalent.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working as a versatile machinist across both CNC mills and CNC lathes.
• Background in a machine shop environment, particularly with plastics machining.
• Familiarity with HAAS and other modern CNC machine brands and controls.
• Exposure to saw operation with willingness to learn and be trained on entry-level saw tasks.
• Technical degree, certificate, or formal training in machining, CNC operation, or a related field is a plus.
• Comfort working with various tooling systems and machining setups.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining high quality standards.

Why Work Here?

The organization invests heavily in modern machinery and is now equally committed to investing in its people. Employees have access to structured training and level-up programs designed to expand their skills, increase their technical expertise, and support career growth within the company. This environment encourages continuous learning, professional development, and advancement, offering long-term opportunities for those who want to grow and take on more responsibility.

Work Environment

This role is based in a plastics machine shop that operates modern CNC equipment, including mills and lathes, along with a variety of tooling and measurement instruments such as calipers and micrometers. The position is on 2nd shift, working approximately 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., with a typical workweek of around 45 hours. The environment is production-focused and safety-conscious, requiring consistent use of appropriate protective gear and adherence to health and safety procedures. Team members work collaboratively on the shop floor, surrounded by high-speed machinery, and are expected to maintain a clean, organized workspace suitable for precision machining.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of READING, PA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $24.00 - $28.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your jobclassification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may besubject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefitsavailable for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in READING,PA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 4, 2026.

About Aerotek

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.