Travel CNC Machinist

Aerotek; Pontiac (IL); On-site; USD 47,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Per diem for travel

Union facility

Job summary

Aerotek is seeking a Travel CNC Machinist for a rural Illinois facility to perform high-precision, production-style machining on pistons and DOC fittings using Fanuc and Siemens controls.

Expect minimal setups, sub-micron tolerances, and 12-hour shifts with potential overtime. Travel per diem is provided within a union environment, with comprehensive training and on-the-job learning.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of CNC machining experience (7 years preferred).
• Hands-on with Fanuc or Siemens controls on CNC equipment.
• Ability to maintain sub-micron tolerances in production.
• Experience in high-velocity, production-focused machining.
• Skilled with CNC lathes, mills, and grinding machines in a production setting.
• Available to work 55+ hours per week with potential overtime.
• Willingness to work 12-hour days, 6 days a week, including weekends.
• Able to transition from training to assigned shift (day or night).

Responsibilities

• Perform production-style CNC machining with minimal setups and sub-micron tolerances.
• Manufacture pistons, bypass pills, and DOC fittings for engine systems.
• Operate Tsugami 5-axis Swiss-style lathe with Fanuc controls.
• Run Robodrill VMCs with Fanuc controls for high-speed production.
• Operate Bahmueller grinders with Siemens controls and Fanuc robot cells.
• Set up and monitor CNC equipment, ensuring quality and tight tolerances.
• Interpret controls, make offsets, and troubleshoot Fanuc/Siemens systems.
• Complete classroom and on-the-job training during initial weeks.
• Adhere to safety, quality standards, and union facility rules.

Skills

CNC machining

Fanuc controls

Siemens controls

High-precision tolerances

Production environment

Overtime willingness

Shift flexibility

12-hour shifts

Team collaboration

Union shop experience

Tools

Tsugami Swiss-style lathe

Robodrill machining center

Bahmueller grinding machine

Fanuc controls

Siemens controls

Job description

Job Title: Travel CNC Machinist

Job Description

This role focuses on high-precision, production-style CNC machining with minimal setups and sub-micron tolerances. You will travel to a rural Illinois facility to manufacture critical engine components such as pistons, bypass pills, and Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) fittings that support advanced fuel injection and exhaust aftertreatment systems. The work centers on operating and optimizing CNC lathes, mills, and grinding equipment using Fanuc and Siemens controls in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

Responsibilities

• Perform production-style CNC machining with minimal setups while maintaining sub-micron tolerances on high-precision engine components.

• Manufacture pistons, bypass pills, and Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) fittings that are critical to advanced fuel injection and exhaust aftertreatment systems.

• Operate a Tsugami Swiss-style CNC lathe with 5-axis capability and Fanuc controls to produce small, precision components.

• Run Robodrill CNC vertical machining centers with Fanuc controls, focusing on high-speed, high-volume production machining.

• Operate Bahmueller high-precision CNC grinding machines with Siemens controls and integrated Fanuc robot cells to achieve exacting surface and dimensional requirements.

• Set up, adjust, and monitor CNC equipment to ensure consistent quality and adherence to tight tolerances, including sub-micron where required.

• Work within a high-velocity production environment, prioritizing throughput and repeatability over job shop-style, one-off machining.

• Interpret machine controls, make offsets, and perform basic troubleshooting on Fanuc and Siemens control systems.

• Follow established training plans, including 12 days of classroom learning and 24 weeks of on-the-job training (OJT), to become proficient on assigned machines and shifts.

• Collaborate with trainers and team members during initial training weeks, remaining open to assignment on day or night shift starting in the second week.

• Adhere to all safety procedures, quality standards, and union facility work rules while operating CNC machines and associated equipment.

• Work extended hours, including 12-hour shifts, weekends, and potential 67 day workweeks, to meet production demands.

• Maintain a clean, organized work area and properly handle tools, fixtures, and materials to support efficient, high-quality machining operations.

Essential Skills

• At least 5 years of machining experience in a CNC environment (7 years preferred).

• Hands-on experience with Fanuc controls and/or Siemens controls on CNC equipment.

• Proven ability to work within tight tolerances, preferably including sub-micron tolerances.

• Experience in high-precision machining operations focused on production and high velocity rather than job shop work.

• Capability to operate CNC lathes, mills, and grinding machines in a production setting.

• Ability to work a minimum of 55 hours per week, with overtime potential up to 70+ hours.

• Willingness and physical ability to work 12-hour days, 6 days per week, on day or night shifts.

• Availability to work weekends, including both Saturday and Sunday, as required by operations.

• Adaptability to varying schedules, including 8-hour and 12-hour days and potential alternate work schedules (AWS) on 6:00 a.m.6:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m.6:00 a.m. shifts.

• Commitment to complete classroom and on-the-job training and to continue learning during the initial weeks of employment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with Tsugami Swiss-style lathes, including 5-axis small precision work.

• experience operating Robodrill CNC vertical machining centers in high-speed, production machining environments.

• Experience with Bahmueller high-precision CNC grinding operations, including working with Siemens controls and Fanuc robot cells.

• Familiarity with production-style machining processes that emphasize repeatability, throughput, and tight process control.

• Comfort working in a unionized manufacturing facility.

• Ability to thrive in a rural community setting while on a travel assignment.

• Flexibility to transition from training to assigned shift, including day or night schedules, and to adjust to changing operational needs.

Why Work Here?

This opportunity offers a generous per diem for travel work, providing financial support while you are on assignment away from home. You will join a structured training program that combines classroom instruction with on-the-job learning, helping you deepen your expertise with advanced CNC equipment and controls. The environment emphasizes high-precision, cutting-edge machining technology, giving you the chance to work on complex components that support modern engine and exhaust systems. Extended-hour schedules can provide substantial earning potential, while the union facility setting offers clear work rules and a defined structure for daily operations.

Work Environment

The role is based at a manufacturing facility in a rural community in Pontiac, Illinois, operating within a union environment. You will work with advanced CNC technologies, including Tsugami Swiss-style lathes with Fanuc controls, Robodrill vertical machining centers with Fanuc controls, and Bahmueller high-precision CNC grinding machines with Siemens controls and integrated Fanuc robot cells. The facility runs high-velocity, production-style machining operations with tight, often sub-micron tolerances. During the first three weeks, you can expect approximately 4048 hours per week for training, including 12 days of classroom learning and 24 weeks of on-the-job training on either day or night shift. Once assigned to a regular shift, you should expect 6 days per week, and potentially up to 7 days, with 812 hour shifts. Long-term schedules may include 12-hour day or night shifts (6:00 a.m.6:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m.6:00 a.m.) or a mix of 8-hour and 12-hour days, with typical workweeks ranging from 46 days based on operational needs. The environment is fast-paced, production-focused, and requires flexibility to adapt to changing schedules and workload demands.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Pontiac, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $40.00/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 jobclassification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may besubject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefitsavailable 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 Pontiac,IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 14, 2026.

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.