Entry-Level CNC Lathe/Mill Machinist Trainee

A day in this role

You begin by reviewing the cell work instructions and priorities with your CNC trainer or supervisor. With safety and environmental guidelines top of mind, you prepare the machine and the required gages, confirm programs and workholding, and get the line ready.

Once production starts, you operate CNC lathes, mills, and occasionally broaching equipment, checking first-piece and in-process parts with plug, snap, flush pin, go/no-go gages, calipers, and other measuring tools. You make the necessary offset adjustments, change inserts when wear shows, and follow the tag procedure to keep work clearly identified. Throughout the shift, you complete all required documentation, maintain housekeeping standards, and adhere to recycling, labeling, and spill protocols.

You keep output on pace with or above production targets while protecting quality to meet company and customer expectations. You troubleshoot quality concerns, escalate when needed, and contribute continuous improvement ideas—submitting them to your supervisor or the HR box. You wrap up by verifying counts and paperwork, ensuring machines and areas are left ready for the next run, and handling other duties as assigned by your supervisor.

What you’ll handle

• Follow job, safety/environmental, and inspection instructions per cell work instructions and guidance from the CNC trainer/supervisor
• Prepare machines and gages for operation; set up basic tooling
• Operate CNC equipment and verify parts meet specification using appropriate gaging
• Meet company/customer quality standards and achieve production goals
• Perform offset adjustments and change inserts as needed
• Apply the tag procedure for proper part identification
• Maintain housekeeping and follow Safety & Environmental requirements (recycling, labeling, spill procedures, programs)
• Comply with all applicable Quality and Environmental system requirements
• Submit continuous improvement ideas on safety, productivity, quality, and housekeeping to your supervisor or HR box
• Perform other duties as assigned by your supervisor

Your background

• Experience with—or the ability to be trained on—CNC lathes, mills, and broaches
• Machine shop training in high school or beyond
• Ability to perform offset adjustments
• Knowledge of insert types/radii and proper changeover
• Proficient reading of gages: plug, snap, flush pin, go/no-go, calipers, etc.

Tools and environment

• CNC lathe operations in high-volume production
• Fanuc controls
• Routine tool changes (inserts) and offset setting
• Troubleshooting quality issues using various gaging methods