CNC Machinist III - Lead Potential
Location: Mesa, AZ (On-Site)
Employment Type: Full-Time
Compensation: $33-40 per hour
Hours: 6:00 - 4:30, Monday thru Thursday
Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced CNC Machinist III to join our precision manufacturing team. This is a senior-level machining position with the potential to grow into a Lead or Supervisor role as the company continues to develop its manufacturing team.
The ideal candidate is a highly skilled CNC machinist who can independently set up, program, operate, and troubleshoot CNC equipment while producing high-precision components to print. This person should be a natural leader who enjoys helping others, solving problems, improving processes, and taking ownership of the work.
Previous supervisory experience is preferred but not required. We are looking for someone with strong technical skills, good judgment, initiative, and the ability to earn the respect of the team through their knowledge and leadership.
Why Join Us
- Opportunity to grow into a CNC Lead or Supervisor role
- Work in a precision manufacturing environment focused on quality and continuous improvement
- Opportunity to mentor and develop less experienced machinists
- Support and development through the Arizona Tooling and Machining Association Skill Up program
- Opportunity to advance technical and programming skills
- Modern CNC equipment in a clean, air-conditioned Mesa facility
- Competitive hourly compensation, 401(k), and benefits
- Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the development of the next generation workforce
Essential Responsibilities
- Set up, program, and operate CNC mills and lathes to produce precision components
- Develop and modify CNC programs as needed to optimize machining processes
- Read and interpret blueprints, GD&T, engineering drawings, and work instructions
- Select appropriate tooling, workholding, speeds, feeds, and machining strategies
- Machine tight-tolerance components and perform in-process and first article inspections
- Use precision measuring equipment to verify dimensional accuracy
- Troubleshoot machining, tooling, programming, equipment, and quality issues
- Identify opportunities to improve processes, reduce scrap, improve cycle times, and increase efficiency
- Work closely with Engineering, Quality, and Project Management to resolve production issues
- Provide technical guidance, training, coaching, and mentoring to CNC Machinists and setup personnel
- Serve as a technical resource and informal leader on the shop floor
- Help establish and maintain consistent machining and setup practices
- Assist with prioritizing work and supporting production schedules
- Maintain accurate production, setup, and inspection documentation
- Follow all safety, quality, and company procedures
- Maintain a clean, organized, and efficient work environment
Leadership Potential
This position is designed for a highly capable machinist who has the potential to take on greater leadership responsibility.
The successful candidate may have the opportunity to grow into a CNC Lead or Supervisor role, with increasing responsibility for:
- Supporting and coordinating the machining team
- Training and developing less experienced machinists
- Helping prioritize daily production activities
- Troubleshooting complex machining issues
- Maintaining quality and production standards
- Identifying and implementing process improvements
- Communicating production concerns to management and engineering
- Helping build a strong, accountable, and collaborative machining team
You do not need to have previously held a Lead or Supervisor title to be successful in this role. Strong technical ability, initiative, communication skills, and a willingness to lead are equally important.
Required Skills & Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED required
- Technical or vocational machine education preferred
- 6+ years of CNC machining experience, including significant setup and programming experience
- Strong experience with CNC mills and lathes
- Ability to independently set up and run complex CNC machining jobs
- Strong CNC programming and editing experience
- Experience with Fanuc, Mori Seiki, Haas, and/or Okuma controls preferred
- Strong understanding of GD&T and blueprint interpretation
- Experience machining tight-tolerance precision components
- Ability to troubleshoot complex machining and quality issues independently
- Strong knowledge of cutting tools, tooling selection, speeds, feeds, and machining practices
- Ability to use precision inspection and measurement equipment
- Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Demonstrated ability to train, mentor, or assist less experienced machinists
- Leadership mindset with the ability and desire to take on additional responsibility
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous CNC Lead, Senior Machinist, or Supervisor experience
- Aerospace, defense, medical, or other high-precision manufacturing experience
- Multi-axis machining experience, including 4-axis and 5-axis
- Mill/Turn experience
- CAM programming experience
- Lean Manufacturing and/or Continuous Improvement experience
- Experience reducing cycle times, scrap, or setup times
- Experience working in an AS9100 and/or ISO-controlled manufacturing environment
What We're Looking For
We are looking for more than someone who can simply run a machine.
We want a senior machinist who takes ownership, solves problems, helps others succeed, and has the potential to become a leader within the department.
If you are an experienced CNC machinist who is ready to take the next step in your career, this could be an opportunity to grow into a key leadership role while continuing to use your technical skills every day.