Sr. CNC Machinist

Columbus Technologies; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 41,328 - 68,880; Full time

Job summary

Columbus Technologies in Pasadena, CA, is seeking a Sr. CNC Machinist for a 25-month contract at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory onsite. The role requires expert 5-axis CNC milling, Mastercam programming, and thorough GD&T proficiency.

You will set up machines, verify tolerances with micrometers and height gauges, inspect parts, and collaborate with engineers to resolve fabrication challenges, ensuring quality and on-time delivery.

Qualifications

• High school diploma with 10+ years, or Associate with 6+ years, or Bachelor’s with 3+ years plus technical training.
• Extensive 5-axis CNC milling operations experience, including programming high-precision components.
• Proficient in CAD/CAM tools, especially Mastercam, with 5+ years of programming.
• Experience using Vericut simulations for collision detection and verification.
• Strong ability to read complex blueprints and geometric tolerancing (GD&T) and self-inspect parts.
• Innovative, autonomous, and capable of applying advanced machining techniques.
• Solid understanding of ESD protocols for handling sensitive flight hardware.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Check blueprints, tolerances, and setup requirements for machining operations.
• Set up and secure fixtures, cutting tools, and materials on mills, lathes, and NC machines.
• Enter and adjust machining parameters to control speed, feed, coolant, and cut depth.
• Monitor machine operation, detect malfunctions, and adjust as needed.
• Verify finished parts against specifications using precision measuring instruments.

Skills

5-axis CNC milling

CNC programming

Mastercam

Vericut

GD&T reading

ESD compliance

blueprint interpretation

communication with engineering

Education

High School diploma (10+ years’ exp)

Associate degree (6+ years)

Bachelor’s degree (3+ years)

Tools

Mastercam

Vericut

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Sr. CNC Machinist

Regular Full-Time Manual Labor Pasadena, CA, US

3 days ago Requisition ID: 1025

Salary Range: $30.00 To $50.00 Hourly

OVERVIEW
Must be a US Person
Duration: 25 month contract position with potential to be extended or converted
W2 with full benefits, 9/80 Work Schedule
Customer and contract specific training will be required and provided.
Location - NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA (onsite)
Offer contingent on ability to successfully pass a background check and drug screen
Salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Fabricates metallic and nonmetallic parts, and fits and assembles machined parts into complete units, applying knowledge of machine shop theory and procedures, shop mathematics, machinability of materials, and layout techniques, operating conventional, special-purpose, and numerical control (NC) machines and machining centers.

• Checks blueprints, sketches, drawings, manuals, specifications, or sample part to determine dimensions and tolerances of finished work piece, sequence of operations, and setup requirements.
• Measures, marks, and scribes dimensions and reference points on material or work piece as guides for subsequent machining.
• Selects, aligns, and secures holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories, and materials on machines, such as mills, lathes, jig borers, grinders, and shapers.
• Calculates and sets controls to regulate machining factors, such as speed, feed, coolant flow, and depth and angle of cut, or enters commands to retrieve, input, or edit computerized machine control media.
• Starts and observes machine operation to detect malfunctions or out-of-tolerance machining, and adjusts machine controls or control media as required.
• Verifies conformance of finished work piece to specifications, using precision measuring instruments.
• Sets up and operates machine on trial run to verify accuracy of machine settings or programmed control data.
• Fits and assembles parts into complete assembly, using jigs, fixtures, surface plate, surface table, hand tools, and power tools.
• Verifies dimensions and alignment of assembly, using measuring instruments, such as micrometers, height gauges, and gauge blocks.
• May install machined replacement parts in mechanisms, machines, and equipment, and test operation of unit to ensure functionality and performance.
• May operate welding equipment to cut or weld parts.
• May develop specifications from general description and draw sketch of part or product to be fabricated.
• May confer with engineers, production personnel, programmers, or others to resolve machining or assembly problems.
• May specialize in setting up and operating NC machines and machining centers or set up and operate NC machines linked to automated storage, retrieval, and moving devices.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• A High School diploma with a minimum of 10 years of related experience; an Associate's degree with a minimum of 6 years of related experience; or a Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 3 years of related experience, plus completed technical training.
• Extensive technical expertise and hands-on experience in 5-axis CNC milling operations, as well as programming and fabricating high-precision components.
• Deep proficiency in CAD/CAM programming tools, specifically Mastercam, with a minimum of 5 years of active programming experience.
• Experience using Vericut software simulations for collision detection and verification.
• Strong ability to read and interpret complex blueprints and Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), with the capability to self-inspect parts.
• An innovative mindset and ability to deploy advanced machining techniques, working autonomously to develop creative solutions to complex fabrication challenges.
• A solid understanding of Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) protective protocols when handling sensitive flight electronic hardware undergoing modification.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including experience collaborating with engineering teams to understand technical requirements and project schedules.

DESIRED SKILLS

• 12+ years of prior aerospace or space industry programming and machining experience dealing with prototype and flight hardware.
• Experience with the programming, setup, and operation of CNC lathes (e.g., Okuma, Mori Seiki, and Monarch).
• Experience with the programming, setup, and operation of Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM).
• Solid background in conventional machining and precision toolroom operations.
• Proven experience serving as a lead machinist or team leader in day-to-day shop operations.

Columbus is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, marital status, age, national origin, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. As a federal contractor, Columbus participates in the E-Verify Program to confirm eligibility to work in the United States.