CNC Machine Operator

CNC Machinist

Now Hiring for CNC Machinists near Dwight, IL

This role focuses on setting up, adjusting, and operating a variety of CNC machines, including multi-axis mills and lathes, to produce high-quality, precision components. You will interpret blueprints, perform detailed quality checks, and make on-the-fly adjustments to ensure all parts meet strict tolerance requirements. The position requires hands-on machining expertise rather than simple machine tending, with an emphasis on accuracy, consistency, and safe operation in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Set up CNC machines by installing and adjusting fixtures, tooling, and work holding devices for mills, lathes, and other CNC machining centers, including 5+ axis and turn-mill equipment.
• Operate CNC milling and turning centers to machine small parts according to engineering specifications and production requirements.
• Load raw materials into CNC machines and adjust machine controls to ensure proper alignment, feed rates, and speeds for each job.
• Interpret and work from technical drawings and blueprints to determine dimensions, tolerances, tooling, and machining sequences.
• Perform in-process inspections using calipers, micrometers, hard gages, and other quality tools to verify that parts meet tight tolerance and quality standards.
• Confirm correct tolerances on each operation and make necessary offsets and adjustments on the machine to maintain dimensional accuracy.
• Conduct regular quality checks, including hard gage checks approximately every 10–12 parts, to prevent scrap and ensure consistent output.
• Monitor tool wear, change tools when they wear out, and adjust tool offsets to maintain part quality and surface finish.
• Carry out routine maintenance and cleaning of CNC machines to ensure optimal performance and minimize downtime.
• Work on various CNC machines in the department, including vertical and horizontal machining centers, multi-axis machines, milling centers, and lathes, and remain flexible to move between machines as assigned.
• Maintain high attention to detail while running long cycle time jobs and producing the same part repeatedly, ensuring zero-defect output wherever possible.
• Follow established workflows, production priorities, and safety procedures to keep pace in a high-volume machining environment.
• Collaborate with team members and leadership to communicate issues, suggest improvements, and support overall production goals.

Essential Skills

• 2–5 years of CNC machining experience, including mills, lathes, or grinders, with hands-on setup and operation responsibilities.
• Proven ability to operate CNC milling machines, CNC lathes, and CNC machining centers, including multi-axis and turning centers.
• Demonstrated experience performing machine setups, including installing and adjusting fixtures, tooling, and work holding.
• Ability to make machine adjustments and tool changes independently to maintain part quality and productivity.
• Strong blueprint reading skills, including the ability to interpret dimensions, tolerances, and machining requirements from technical drawings.
• Proficiency using quality tools and gages, such as calipers, micrometers, and hard gages, to perform precise in-process inspections.
• High attention to detail and accuracy, particularly when running long-cycle, repetitive parts where scrap must be minimized.
• Capability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced manufacturing setting while maintaining a high level of care and quality.
• Strong sense of urgency and ability to think ahead about what tasks should happen next to keep workflow moving efficiently.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working with turn-mill 7-axis machining centers, 5+ axis machining centers, and CNC milling machining centers is a plus.
• Familiarity with both vertical and horizontal CNC machines and multi-axis CNC equipment is advantageous.
• Comfort working with long cycle time parts and repetitive production while maintaining focus and quality.
• Openness to learning and working on any machine assigned within the machining department and adapting to changing production needs.

Why Work Here?

You will join a stable, long-term opportunity in a professional machining environment where precision, craftsmanship, and quality are highly valued. The schedule offers a consistent four-day workweek, supporting work-life balance while maintaining full-time hours. You will have the chance to develop and refine advanced CNC skills across a variety of machines and technologies, with exposure to multi-axis and turn-mill equipment. The culture emphasizes safety, attention to detail, and continuous improvement, creating an environment where skilled individuals can grow, take ownership of their work, and contribute meaningfully to high-quality manufacturing outcomes.

Work Environment

This is a 3rd shift, onsite machining position working four 10-hour shifts, with some overtime expected though not guaranteed. The role is based in a machining environment with CNC mills, lathes,…