CNC Lathe Machinist (Setup & Operator) 2nd Shift

Are you a motivated, dedicated, hard worker that is eager to learn and looking to start fresh? CMI Group needs you! Come join our team and get to work with some amazing state of the art, cutting edge, highly automated machining cell systems where a product can truly be perfected and controlled!

CNC Lathe Machinist (Setup & Operator) 2nd Shift

Job Title: 1st shift CNC Lathe Machinist (Setup & Operator) Aerospace & Defense manufacturing

Shift: 2nd Shift (2:15pm – 12:45am, Mon-Thu)
* 20% night shift differential pay*

Location: 1515 W. 17th St., Tempe, AZ

Due to the nature of work performed within our facilities, U.S. citizenship or Valid Permanent Resident status is required.

Position Summary

CMI Group – Systems 3 is seeking an experienced CNC Lathe Machinist to set up and operate CNC lathe centers to manufacture high-precision aerospace and defense components. This position plays a critical role in producing complex, close-tolerance parts while maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety, and productivity.

The ideal candidate is a self-motivated machinist who is comfortable performing complete machine setups, making program and tooling adjustments, verifying part quality, and troubleshooting machining issues in a fast-paced precision manufacturing environment. You take pride in producing quality work the first time. You're the type of machinist who doesn't simply load parts; you understand the turning process, think critically when problems arise, and continuously look for ways to improve setups, tooling, cycle times, and process reliability.

You value teamwork, accountability, and craftsmanship, and you're motivated by producing precision components that support critical aerospace and defense applications.

Primary Responsibilities

• Set up and operate CNC lathes and turning centers to manufacture precision parts according to engineering drawings, specifications, and customer requirements.
• Produce components that meet tight dimensional tolerances, surface-finish requirements, and aerospace quality standards.
• Read and interpret blueprints, GD&T, manufacturing routings, job travelers, work instructions, and customer specifications.
• Load, verify, and edit CNC programs as needed to ensure accurate and efficient part production.
• Install, qualify, and adjust tooling, tool holders, inserts, work holding, jaws, fixtures, and related setup components.
• Monitor machining operations;
  Set and adjust work offsets, tool offsets, wear offsets, feeds, speeds, and cutting parameters to maintain dimensional accuracy and process stability.
• Perform first-piece setup verification before releasing production.
• Perform in-process inspections using precision measuring instruments, including calipers, micrometers, bore gauges, thread gauges, height gauges, manual CMM, indicators, and other inspection equipment.
• Operate multiple CNC machines when cycle times and production requirements allow while maintaining quality and productivity expectations.
• Communicate and collaborate with CNC Programmers, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, and Production leadership to resolve manufacturing concerns.
• Identify opportunities to reduce setup time, improve cycle time, extend tooling life, improve process capability, and increase overall manufacturing efficiency.
• Perform routine machine maintenance and daily equipment checks.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work area following 5S principles.
• Follow all company safety procedures, quality standards, manufacturing processes, and work instructions.
• Ensure compliance with AS9100 quality requirements and ITAR regulations where applicable.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of CNC lathe setup and operation experience in a precision manufacturing environment.
• Experience machining close-tolerance components.
• Ability to independently perform complete CNC lathe setups.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, manufacturing documentation, and inspection requirements.
• Experience loading, verifying, and editing CNC programs.
• Strong knowledge of CNC turning operations, including facing, turning, boring, drilling, grooving, threading, and…