CNC Setup Tech

Aerotek; Duluth (MN); On-site; USD 41,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

Critical Illness, Accident & Hospital

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Short and long-term disability

HSA

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Time Off

Job summary

Aerotek in Duluth, MN, seeks a Setup Machinist / CNC Setup Technician for a contract-to-hire role. You will set up and operate CNC mills and lathes, load materials, and adjust tooling to meet demanding tolerances.

You’ll review programs, deburr parts, inspect outputs, and maintain records in a fast-paced job shop. The ideal candidate has at least 2 years of CNC setup/operation experience, good reading of blueprints, and a strong focus on quality and safety.

Qualifications

• At least 2 years of CNC setup and operation experience.
• Proficient in setting up/operating mills and lathes.
• Ability to read blueprints/engineering drawings.
• Capable of loading materials, tools, and offsets.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate CNC mills and lathes.
• Load material and adjust tools/offsets as required.
• Review and modify programs for current conditions.
• Deburr to drawing requirements with precision.
• Monitor fluids, chips, and machine maintenance needs.
• Interpret drawings and guide machining activities.
• Perform inspections and document deviations.
• Follow all work instructions to complete tasks on time.
• Maintain production records and data.

Skills

CNC setup

Milling

Lathes

Blueprint reading

Precision measurement

Machining principles

Safety practices

Independence

Documentation

Team collaboration

Tools

Haas CNC

Mazak CNC

CNC programming

Job description

Job Title: Setup Machinist / CNC Setup Technician

This role prepares and operates a variety of CNC machine tools to produce precision metal parts and instruments. You will load materials, tools, and programs into CNC equipment, verify first-part dimensions against specifications, and ensure high-quality production by applying strong knowledge of mechanics, mathematics, metal properties, layout, and machining procedures. The position requires working independently within established procedures and demonstrating proficiency across multiple machining competencies.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate CNC machines, including mills and lathes, to ensure safe, efficient, and accurate production.

• Load material during operation and change or adjust cutting tools, offsets, and machine settings as required.

• Review machining programs, determine when updates or modifications are needed to meet current conditions, and provide feedback to appropriate team members.

• Deburr products to drawing requirements using hand and power tools with high precision.

• Check and maintain machine fluid levels, manage chips, and monitor equipment to identify maintenance needs.

• Read, understand, and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and specifications to guide machining activities and ensure product quality.

• Perform inspections on completed work, document measurements, and record any deviations from engineering drawings.

• Follow verbal, written, and electronic work instructions to complete tasks accurately and on time.

• Keep daily production records and record pertinent manufacturing data as required.

• Learn, practice, and follow all safety standards and policies, including the use of appropriate protective equipment and identification of potential safety concerns.

• Maintain a clean, organized, and efficient work area in a job shop environment.

• Collaborate with team members to support continuous improvement in machining processes and product quality.

Essential Skills

• At least 2 years of previous CNC setup and operation experience.

• Proficiency in CNC setup and operation for mills and lathes.

• Ability to read and interpret blueprints and engineering drawings.

• Strong CNC operation skills, including loading materials, setting tools, and adjusting offsets.

• Solid understanding of machine operating practices in a production environment.

• Ability to perform precision deburring using hand and power tools.

• Knowledge of basic mechanics, mathematics, metal properties, layout, and machining procedures.

• Ability to perform inspections on machined parts and document results accurately.

• Capability to follow detailed verbal, written, and electronic work instructions.

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality parts.

• Ability to work independently within established procedures and meet production goals in a fast-paced environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience operating Haas and Mazak CNC machines.

• Mazak-specific setup and operation experience.

• CNC programming experience or the ability to modify programs to meet current machining conditions.

• Familiarity with job shop environments and high-mix, fast-paced production.

• Strong organizational skills to maintain clean work areas and accurate production records.

• Commitment to safety practices and proper use of protective equipment.

• Interest in ongoing professional development and learning new machining technologies.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Duluth, MN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $35.00/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 job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & visionCritical Illness, Accident, and Hospital401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions availableLife Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)Short and long-term disabilityHealth Spending Account (HSA)Transportation benefitsEmployee Assistance ProgramTime Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Duluth,MN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 19, 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.