CNC Operator I - Entry-US

WIDIA; New Market (VA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Kennametal Inc. in New Market, VA is seeking an Entry CNC Operator to support 2nd or 3rd shift. You will operate CNC and conventional machines, read blueprints, set up tooling, and ensure parts meet quality specs.

This role emphasizes safety, accuracy, and teamwork in a production environment. Qualifications include a high school diploma or vocational training, 1–3 years of machine operation experience, and the ability to read GD&T and set up basic programs.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent is required.
• 1–3 years of machine operation experience is preferred.
• Vocational training or apprenticeship is preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints and diagrams.

Responsibilities

• Manufactures quality products within budgeted production costs to meet demand.
• Sets up machine operation feed, speed, and temperature as per procedures for CNC/conventional equipment.
• Selects and measures raw materials and parts to specifications for production.
• Resolves issues related to production, machinery, processing, or packaging operations.
• May include basic level programming.
• Set up and operate mills, lathes, or grinders to fabricate parts.
• Aligns and secures fixtures and cutting tools on machines.
• Reads drawings and checks work with quality gauges.
• Moves materials needed to complete tasks.
• Performs inspections with precision gauges to ensure dimensions.
• Sets up CNC machining operations and selects cutters.
• May operate two or more CNC machines simultaneously.
• Supports Lean Enterprise initiatives and aims to improve quality and productivity.

Skills

G-code modification

CNC machine operation

Blueprint reading

Shop math

Quality inspection

GD&T knowledge

Teamwork

Troubleshooting

Education

High School Diploma

Vocational training or Apprenticeship

Tools

CNC lathes

CNC mills

CMM/inspection gauges

Job description

About Kennametal

With over 85 years as an industrial technology leader, Kennametal Inc. delivers productivity to customers through materials science, tooling and wear-resistant solutions. Customers across aerospace and defense, earthworks, energy, general engineering and transportation turn to Kennametal to help them manufacture with precision and efficiency. Learn more at kennametal.com. Follow @Kennametal: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.

CNC Operator - Entry

New Market, VA

2nd shift: 2:45pm - 11:15pm or 3rd shift: 10:45pm - 7:15am

Operating an automated machine such as a CNC or other machine via either a single step or process that does not include a multi-step or multi-production process. Sets up complex, customized production equipment to manufacture company products.

Duties

• Manufactures sufficient quantities of quality products at or below budgeted production costs in order to meet marketplace demand.
• Sets up equipment operation feed, speed, and temperature; follows established procedures for operating various conventional and/or CNC (computerized numerical control) manufacturing equipment for tasks such as cutting, punching, forming, drilling, tapping, turning, milling and stamping to fabricate, form or shape manufactured parts, tools or parts assemblies from raw materials.
• Selects and measures raw materials and parts to specifications to prepare for production processing.
• Resolves issues related to the organization's production, machinery, processing, and/or packaging operations.
• May include basic level programming
• Set up and operate, in an efficient timely manner, machine tools, such as mill-turns, mills, lathes, or grinders.
• Align and secure holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories, or materials onto machines.
• Work from and read blueprints as well as setting and checking work to various quality control gages.
• Move all materials, either physically or mechanically, necessary to complete assignments
• Perform inspection of machined products by selecting and setting up precision gaging to ensure external and internal quality specifications and requirements
• Set-up and perform a series of machining operations on all CNC machines.
• Select proper cutters, determine adjusts feeds and speeds as needed, and replace cutters when dull.
• May Operate two or more CNC machines simultaneously
• Responsibilities are within the Manufacturing/Operations Function as a generalist or in a combination of Disciplines.
• Performs specialized technical tasks required to support operations (e.g., IT development, research support, skilled trade)

Experience

• High School Degree
• 1-3 years experience
• Machine operation experience
• Requires vocational training or the equivalent experience and may require external certification but typically does not require a university degree
• Technical school certification or Apprenticeship program of completion preferred.
• Manufacturing experience of 1 - 3 years automated/CNC work experience required.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Basic troubleshooting and decision-making skills.
• Ability to modify G code programs.
• Ability to handle basic or standard CNC complexity.
• Has working knowledge and skills to perform a defined set of analytical/scientific methods or operational processes.
• Applies experience and skills to complete assigned work within own area of expertise.
• Works within standard operating procedures and/or scientific methods.
• Receive verbal and written information.
• Complete all necessary documentation, electronic data entries, and communications accurately and timely.
• Understand written instructions and be willing and able to communicate those instructions to others.
• Read process instructions and drawings and recognize/attend to details.
• Adhere to and follow all company safety policies and procedures to assure commitment to a 100% safe work environment.
• Support the Lean Enterprise initiatives and continuously strive to improve customer satisfaction through improved quality, reduction in waste, and improved productivity.
• Intermediate knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) methods of dimensioning, as well as proper use and care of precision measurement tools.
• Knowledge of shop math, including geometry and conversions.
• Manufacturing and product knowledge.
• Proven troubleshooting, decision-making skills, and the ability to work in a team-based environment.
• Interpersonal skills with good communication working in a team environment.

Complexity

• Not much variability to day to day operation tasks
• Works with a moderate degree of supervision

Kennametal Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.