Experienced Machinist – Full Time

CZERO Inc.; Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative engineering services firm is seeking a dedicated Machinist to lead their machining shop. This role involves programming CNC machines, managing a small team, and interacting with customers to ensure high-quality production of custom parts. As a key player in a dynamic environment, you'll have the opportunity to shape the shop's future while tackling diverse engineering challenges. With a commitment to quality and efficiency, you'll contribute to projects that have a positive impact on the environment and the economy. Join a collaborative team that values creativity and hard work, and make a significant difference in the world of engineering.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in a machine shop with strong references.
• Experience with CNC programming using Fusion or MasterCAM.
• Ability to manage multiple jobs and communicate effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead machinist responsible for programming CNC machines and managing jobs.
• Customer-facing role, providing estimates and interacting with clients.
• Mentor machinists and troubleshoot manufacturing issues.

Skills

CNC Programming

Machining Skills

Problem-Solving Skills

Communication Skills

Detail Oriented

Math Skills

Leadership

Education

High School Degree or GED

Advanced Technical Training

Tools

Fusion

MasterCAM

CNC Mills

CNC Lathes

Metrology Equipment

Job description

Czero, Inc. Job Opening – Experienced Machinist – Full Time

Posting#: 2025-003

Date of posting: April 22nd, 2025
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado 80524
Residency requirement: U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident (Green Card)
Time commitment: Full Time.
Travel requirements: None
Reporting structure: Reports directly to Owners
Salary range: $28/hr – $38/hr (depending on experience)

Job Description:

Czero is seeking a dedicated individual to join our team as a full-time machinist/shop lead for our machining shop, Quixik Machining and Fabrication. Quixik is a spin out from Czero and was started to support Czero’s advanced engineering and research & development activities, where a diverse assortment of projects that need custom and prototype parts machined and fabricated are needed. We also extend our shop to the public where we manufacture low quantities of parts for a broader customer base. Quixik operates as a job shop and focuses on small quantity orders and prototypes as opposed to high volume production.

We are seeking an experienced machinist to lead our small machining team. You will utilize your technical proficiency to manage our machining jobs, program our CNC machines (using Fusion), and guide our machinists in machine setup, fixturing, and troubleshooting. You will also be the customer facing individual and will help with job estimates and customer interactions. Because we are a small team, you will also operate and maintain various machining equipment and perform other regular shop duties as needed.

We are seeking a machinist who demonstrates adaptability and versatility in a dynamic environment. There will be a lot of flexibility to help direct our shop’s future, and the workload may fluctuate depending on our needs.

There are two primary aspects to this job position:

Lead Machinist

• Review manufacturing drawings and specifications to gain a thorough understanding of the requirements. This individual will choose how parts will be produced including the machines being used, picking the tooling, ops, fixturing, etc.
• Use Fusion to program CNC mills and lathes (Fanuc and Mori Seiki based controls). This individual will be the lead programmer for the shop and will need to be comfortable using Fusion or willing to learn from experience in MasterCAM (or similar).
• Setting up equipment and running in the first part, including making custom fixturing as required to complete each step of the manufacturing plan.
• Inspecting finished parts for flaws, defects, and conformance to the specifications.
• Directing/mentoring machinists that are running the machines and troubleshoot manufacturing issues that come up.

Front of House

• Customer facing. This includes taking inbound calls and emails, working with customers to understand their needs, choosing raw material and tooling, working with outside vendors, etc.
• Use your machining and programming experience to help estimate jobs. No experience in estimating is required but the ability to estimate the amount of time tasks will take is necessary for us to quote work. While this is not a prerequisite, this individual will be expected to learn how to quote jobs.
• Managing multiple jobs in the shop with a focus on quality and efficiency.
• Willing to be flexible and step into many roles in order to lead the team.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of 4 years (ideally 6 years or more) of experience in a machine shop. Strong references expected.
• Machining Skills
  • Experience with CNC programming using Fusion, Mastercam, or similar.
  • Experience in running CNC milling machines to produce precision parts. This includes programming, machine setup, fixturing, tool setting, milling, and machine cleaning and maintenance.
  • Experience in running CNC lathes to produce precision parts. This includes programming, machine setup, fixturing, tool setting, machining, and machine cleaning and maintenance.
  • Experience machining a wide variety of materials and the ability to adapt/adjust the manufacturing processes to optimize for the material.
  • Experience running manual mills.
  • Ability to manage multiple jobs and communicate with the internal team as well as customers.
  • Ability to take precise measurements of parts for part verification. Experience with metrology equipment and CMMs preferred.
  • Math skills to take precise measurements and make calculations.
  • Knowledge of how to operate band saws, grinders, and other tools needed to prepare material or post process parts.
• Work Approach
  • High performer.
  • Detail oriented.
  • Capable of working well with minimal supervision yet works well with team members.
  • Willingness to lead and mentor.
  • Goal driven.
  • Willing to go the extra mile for the team.
• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills.
• Critical thinking skills to develop effective manufacturing plans based on specifications.
• Problem-solving skills to troubleshoot issues that arise during the manufacturing process.
• Ability to lift roughly 50 pounds and remain stationary throughout long periods of time.
• Can work under the pressure of deadlines.
• Understanding of health and safety regulations to reduce the risk of workplace accidents.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO THOSE WITH EXPERIENCE IN THESE AREAS:

• Business acumen to create quotes: calculate costs, determine pricing and terms to provide potential customers with accurate estimates for the goods and services.
• Experience running 4-axis CNC milling machines.
• Experience with 3D CAD software (Solidworks, Inventor, etc.).
• Experience with Fanuc control systems.
• Experience with Mori Seiki controls.
• Experience with surface grinding.
• Experience with centerless grinding.
• Experience with post processing (sandblasting, painting, powder coating, anodizing, etc.).
• Experience with metrology.
• Experience using CMMs (we have a Faro CMM Arm).
• Experience with welding, sheet metal forming, and other fabrication skills.
• Knowledge and experience with GD&T per ASME Y14.5.
• Experience managing external processes and vendors.

EDUCATION

High School Degree or GED required. Advanced technical training, apprenticeship, certificate, or associate degree programs in precision machining are desirable.

Residency requirements

Must be U.S. citizen or a Permanent Resident (Green Card)

The right fit for our team

Beyond technical ability, we’re looking for someone who is smart, creative, innovative, hardworking, able to handle multiple projects at a time, and tenacious when it comes to a tough challenge. Everyone at Czero enjoys the challenge of tackling hard problems and is willing to put in the time and effort to solve them. Additionally, we have a true team environment, so it’s crucial that you can collaborate effectively with diverse team members.

ABOUT CZERO

Czero is a dynamic, rapidly evolving engineering services/contract research and development firm committed to delivering high-quality solutions to our clients. Czero specializes in early-stage R&D in the areas of cleantech, energy, power generation, and transportation. We are 18 years old and have delivered on over 400 projects. Our clients include the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, National Labs, Universities, and companies of all sizes including start-ups. Our team takes on wide-ranging engineering challenges, developing new technologies and delivering high quality proof-of-concept prototype systems. We are passionate about the environment, and our work centers on scalable, cost-effective solutions to increase energy efficiency, improve energy storage and delivery, and decrease harmful emissions. Czero has a strong network of partner companies, suppliers, and university collaboration partners, including Colorado State University, often working with university researchers on cutting edge technology development. If you join our team, you will find Czero an interesting, challenging, and rewarding place to work. Your contributions will make a significant impact on high-profile projects that are positive for our clients, the environment, and the economy.

We celebrate employment equity and diversity. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals and do not discriminate based on disability, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or any other basis protected under federal, state, provincial or local laws. Czero is an equal opportunity employer.

RECRUITERS

Please do not contact us regarding this or other positions at Czero; we already have an established relationship with a great recruiting team. Thanks!