5-Axis Mill Machinist

5-Axis CNC Mill Setup Machinist

An established precision manufacturer serving aerospace and defense customers is seeking an experienced 5-Axis CNC Mill Setup Machinist for its first-shift team. This is a hands-on setup, proveout, and production position—not a machine-operator-only role. The machinist will take programs furnished by the CNC programming team and develop them into stable, repeatable machining processes. This includes installing work holding, setting up the trunnion and tooling, establishing offsets and part alignment, proving out the program, producing and inspecting the first article, and working directly with the programmer to resolve issues discovered at the machine.

Once the process has been proven, the machinist will run production and make the adjustments necessary to maintain quality, dimensional accuracy, and tool life. Previous setup experience on trunnion-style 5-axis machining centers is required. Experience with Siemens controls is helpful but not mandatory.

• Set up and operate vertical, horizontal, and trunnion-style 5-axis CNC milling machines producing close-tolerance aerospace and defense components.
• Review engineering drawings, GD&T requirements, process documentation, and written work instructions before beginning a setup.
• Perform complete machine setups, including:
• Fixtures and work holding
• Trunnion and rotary positioning
• Tool selection and installation
• Tool-length and diameter offsets
• Work offsets and part-zero establishment
• Datum alignment and rotary-centerline considerations
• Fixture-height, tool-reach, and clearance verification
• Load and validate CNC programs supplied by the programming department.
• Safely prove out new or revised programs using graphics, dry runs, single-block operation, feed-rate control, and other appropriate verification methods.
• Produce and inspect first-article parts before releasing jobs to production.
• Work directly with CNC programmers to identify and correct:
• Clearance and tool-reach problems
• Potential crashes or interference
• Gouges and undesirable tool motion
• Poor cutting conditions
• Dimensional or tolerance issues
• Workholding and fixture problems
• Make offset adjustments and appropriate G-code edits at the machine control.
• Recommend practical improvements involving cutters, tooling, work holding, feeds and speeds, operation sequencing, and overall machining strategy.
• Run production parts after completing the setup and first-article approval process.
• Monitor cutter condition, change cutting tools, and adjust offsets, feeds, and speeds to maintain part quality and tool life.
• Inspect parts using micrometers, calipers, bore gauges, indicators, and other precision measuring instruments.
• Use on-machine probing systems to verify part location and machined features when available.
• Complete inspection records, job documentation, production counts, and timekeeping entries accurately.
• Maintain accountability for shop tooling and return tools, gauges, and fixtures to their designated locations.
• Assist with routine machine care, including coolant monitoring, chip removal, cleaning, and basic preventive upkeep.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area.
• Communicate production status, quality concerns, tooling problems, and machine issues promptly.

• At least seven years of hands-on CNC milling experience in a precision machining environment.
• Proven experience independently setting up trunnion-style 5-axis machining centers.
• Experience setting up and running simultaneous 5-axis work, not solely 3+2 positional machining.
• Understanding of trunnion and rotary-centerline setup, work offsets on rotary axes, fixture-height considerations, tool reach, and collision avoidance.
• Ability to complete an entire setup independently, including fixtures, work holding, program loading, tooling, offsets, alignment, and part validation.
• Demonstrated experience proving out furnished CNC programs and producing an in-tolerance first article.
• Ability to work directly with CNC programmers to correct program, tooling, clearance, and fixturing problems discovered during proveout.
• Ability to make offsets, feed and speed adjustments, and appropriate G-code modifications at the machine.
• Experience setting up and operating 3-axis and 4-axis CNC mills in addition to 5-axis equipment.
• Experience machining aerospace-grade alloys, heat-treated materials, or similarly demanding materials to close tolerances.
• Strong blueprint-reading skills, including practical knowledge of GD&T.
• Ability to inspect parts using micrometers, calipers, bore gauges, indicators, and related precision instruments.
• Ability to document inspection results and production activity accurately.
• Functional spoken and written English sufficient to understand drawings, work instructions, safety procedures, and quality documentation.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and a practical understanding of machining processes.
• Must qualify as a U.S. person under applicable ITAR requirements to access export-controlled technical data.