Lead CNC Machinist — 2nd Shift, High‑Precision Mentorship

Divergent; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 72,000 - 99,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity plan

Discretionary bonus opportunities

Paid vacation

Sick time and holidays

Parental leave

Health benefits (HMO/PPO)

Job summary

Divergent is seeking a Lead CNC Machinist to direct daily machining operations, mentor a team of peers, and ensure top-quality production across rotating shifts in a fast-paced shop environment.

You will lead setup and operation of multi-axis CNC systems, drive process improvements, and collaborate with engineering to optimize manufacturability and efficiency. This on-site role offers growth in a mission-driven manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of CNC machining experience with strong multi-axis machining expertise.
• Experience leading peers, coordinating workloads, and mentoring junior technicians.
• Advanced proficiency with Siemens and Heidenhain controllers.
• Advanced understanding of GD&T and machining process optimization.
• Experience troubleshooting complex machining processes and setups.
• Experience implementing dynamic work offsets and advanced setup methodologies.
• Ability to operate independently with strong technical ownership.

Responsibilities

• Act as a floor lead, coordinating the work of peer machinists, managing a high workload, and providing daily direction to maintain production continuity across shifts.
• Serve as a dedicated mentor to less-experienced team members; assist the supervisor and act as their delegate when required.
• Foster strong fundamentals and cross-team collaboration, serving as a cultural and technical role model on the shop floor.
• Lead setup and operation of advanced CNC equipment including 3-axis, 3+2, and 5-axis machining centers.
• Support machining execution for complex prototype and production hardware.
• Apply advanced GD&T knowledge to validate setups and machining strategies.
• Troubleshoot complex machining challenges including tooling performance, fixture alignment, machine limitations, and process instability.
• Support machine recovery and process troubleshooting with minimal supervision.

Skills

Team leadership

Mentoring

Troubleshooting

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Ownership

Tools

CNC machines (3-axis, 3+2, 5-axis)

Siemens controllers

Heidenhain controllers

GD&T knowledge

Job description

Divergent is seeking a Lead CNC Machinist to direct daily machining operations, mentor a team of peers, and ensure top-quality production across rotating shifts in a fast-paced shop environment.

You will lead setup and operation of multi-axis CNC systems, drive process improvements, and collaborate with engineering to optimize manufacturability and efficiency. This on-site role offers growth in a mission-driven manufacturing environment.