Aerospace 5‑Axis CNC Setup Machinist

Multi-Axis Setup • Large-Format 3-Axis Milling • CNC Turning

A day in this role

You clock in to a high-mix job shop where every setup is a fresh challenge. Today it’s a complex aerospace housing on a 5‑axis VMC; tomorrow it’s a large-format 3‑axis plate requiring meticulous fixturing. You own the setup: indicating the workholding, dialing in tools, proving out the program, and making smart, on-the-fly offsets to hold tight tolerances. When an issue pops up, you troubleshoot confidently—then collaborate with programmers, quality, and manufacturing engineering to lock in a better process for the next run.

About the opportunity

TekPro partners with a premier precision manufacturer serving the aerospace and defense sectors. After major OEM wins and sustained growth, the team is expanding and seeking setup-capable CNC machinists who thrive on complex, one-off to short-run work and can operate with a high level of independence.

Open roles

• 5‑Axis CNC Setup Machinist: Own full setups on advanced 5‑axis machining centers producing intricate, multi-surface components. Establish tooling and work offsets, prove out programs, adjust paths/parameters, and solve machining challenges independently.
• Large-Format 3‑Axis Mill Setup Machinist: Set up and run big-envelope 3‑axis VMCs for sizable precision parts. Excel in fixturing strategy, blueprint interpretation, and maintaining dimensional stability over long cycles.
• CNC Lathe Setup/Operator: Set up and operate turning centers for close‑tolerance aerospace/defense parts. Manage tooling, workholding, offsets, first‑article verification, and continuous adjustments to sustain capability.

What you’ll do

• Execute complete CNC setups from prints, programs, and setup documentation—without relying on a separate setup department.
• Navigate frequent changeovers in a fast-paced, precision job shop.
• Install and indicate fixtures, vises, jaws, and other workholding; load and qualify tooling.
• Set tool and work coordinates; make precise offset changes at the control.
• Interpret complex drawings and GD&T to define machining strategy.
• Prove out new work; surface and resolve tooling, fixturing, dimensional, or process risks.
• Perform first-piece and in-process inspections using micrometers, calipers, indicators, bore and height gauges, and other precision instruments.
• Monitor cuts and optimize offsets, tooling, speeds, and feeds to maintain capability.
• Diagnose and correct dimensional, tooling, workholding, and process issues with minimal supervision.
• Consistently meet the tight tolerances and quality standards demanded by aerospace/defense work.
• Partner with programmers, quality, ME, and fellow machinists to improve workflows.

What you bring

• Demonstrated CNC machining and setup experience in precision manufacturing.
• Proven ability to run complete setups independently.
• Background in a job shop or other high‑mix environment with regular setup changes (strong plus).
• Advanced print reading and GD&T fluency.
• Hands-on skill with precision inspection tools.
• Deep knowledge of cutting tools, workholding, offsets, speeds/feeds, and machining fundamentals.
• Ability to troubleshoot and implement adjustments at the machine.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, medical, or similarly tight-tolerance industries (highly valued).
• Openings span experienced mid-level through expert setup machinists, commensurate with background and machine proficiency.

Why this team

Backed by significant new OEM awards, you’ll step into meaningful, technically demanding work—not repetitive button-pushing. If you enjoy building clever setups, solving complex machining problems, and producing sophisticated aerospace/defense components, this is a place to deepen and showcase your craft.

Core proficiencies

• Expertise in CNC machine setup and rapid changeover

Equipment you’ll touch

• Vertical machining centers: 3–4 axis (large-format included)
• Vertical machining centers: 5‑axis and beyond
• CNC lathes: 2–4 axis
• CNC lathes: multi‑axis (5+)