CNC Machinist III Axis Lathe Machinist; Second Shift | Aerospace & Defense

Position: CNC Machinist III – 3/4/5-Axis Lathe Machinist (Second Shift | Aerospace & Defense)
At a Glance

Company:  Barber-Nichols

Location:

Arvada, Colorado (On-site)
Job Type:  Full-Time
Pay Range:  $40 – $54 per hour + shift differential + OT at 1.5x
Sign-On Bonus:  $5,000

Shift:  Second Shift
Shift Differential:  15% premium over base rate
Overtime:  Time and a half over 40 hours
Experience Level:  Senior (8+ years machining experience)
Work Authorization:  U.S. Person required (ITAR / Security Clearance eligible role)
Published:  April 13, 2026

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- Why This Role Exists

Barber-Nichols is a premier provider of  custom turbo machinery solutions  supporting the  aerospace, defense, cryogenics, and energy industries .

This role exists to support increasing demand for  high-precision CNC machining of mission-critical components  used in advanced systems such as NASA deep-space missions and U.S. Navy defense programs.

At BN, machinists are essential contributors to technology that powers  space exploration, national defense, and advanced engineering innovation .

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- The Work You’ll Be Doing

In this role, you will:

• Set up and operate  manual machines  in support of CNC machining operations

• Set up and operate  2-axis CNC horizontal machines and VTL lathes

• Set up and operate  3, 4, and 5-axis CNC lathes and machining systems

• Interpret complex engineering drawings, GD&T, and manufacturing instructions

• Stage, organize, and move materials to support production flow

• Evaluate, select, and requisition tooling and machining supplies

• Perform precision setups and maintain consistent part quality

• Support both  prototype and production machining environments

• Work closely with engineering, programming, and quality teams

• Ensure safety, accuracy, and first-time quality across all operations

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- Machines, Tools & Environment

You will work with:

• CNC lathes (2-axis, multi-axis, and advanced configurations)

• Vertical Turret Lathes (VTLs)

• Horizontal CNC machining centers

• 3-axis, 4-axis, and 5-axis CNC lathe systems

• Manual machining equipment for support operations

• Precision inspection tools (calipers, micrometers, gauges, indicators)

• Aerospace-grade machining environment (ISO / AS9100 standards)

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- What We’re Looking For  Required

• 8+ years of CNC machining experience in a  job shop / prototype / aerospace manufacturing environment

• Strong experience in  setup and operation of CNC lathes and/or mills

• Experience with manual machining in support of CNC operations

• Ability to read and interpret complex engineering drawings and GD&T

• Strong understanding of tooling, setups, offsets, and machining processes

• Experience working in  ISO / AS / MIL-spec environments

• Ability to work with detailed written and verbal instructions

• U.S. Citizenship or eligible U.S. Person status (ITAR requirement)

Preferred

• 5-axis machining experience (lathe or mill-turn environments)

• Experience with VTLs or horizontal machining centers

• Aerospace, defense, or turbo machinery manufacturing background

• High-mix, low-volume prototype machining experience

• Strong quality-driven mindset with attention to precision

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- Why Machinists Like Working Here

Machinists choose Barber-Nichols because:

• You work on  world-class aerospace and defense programs

• Every component has real mission-critical impact

• Challenging machining work — not repetitive production runs

• Strong engineering collaboration and technical environment

• Long-term stability with over 55 years of industry excellence

• Opportunity to grow into advanced machining and leadership roles

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- Pay, Benefits & Schedule  Pay

• $40 – $54/hour (based on experience)

• 15% shift differential (second shift)

• Time and a half for overtime (over 40 hours)
• $5,000 sign-on bonus

Benefits

• ~80% employer-paid medical insurance premiums

• HSA/FSA with company contributions

• 401(k) with up to 7.25% employer contributions

• Employee stock purchase discount (NYSE: GHM)

• 4 weeks PTO (increasing to 5 weeks with tenure)

• Paid holidays + floating holiday + volunteer time

• Tuition reimbursement from day one

• Paid parental, military, jury duty, and bereavement leave

• Relocation assistance (if applicable)

• Employee wellness and culture programs

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- Important Requirements (ITAR / Security Clearance)

This position requires compliance with  U.S. export control regulations (ITAR)  and eligibility for a  U.S. Security Clearance .

Applicants must be:

• U.S. Citizens, or

• Lawful Permanent Residents, or

• Other protected individuals under U.S. export law

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- Equal Opportunity Employer

Barber-Nichols is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants are considered without regard to race, gender, disability, veteran status, or other protected categories.

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- Apply

Apply today to join Barber-Nichols and contribute to  advanced turbo machinery systems that power space exploration, defense, and next-generation energy technologies .