We are recruiting for a Lead CNC Programmer and Machinist at an aerospace and defense manufacturer in Clearwater, FL. This is a hands-on role at a small, growing company. You will program, set up, and run precision parts on Haas mills and other CNC equipment, with a path to Machine Shop Manager as the shop grows.
The company runs low volume, high mix, tight tolerance work for aerospace and defense customers and is pursuing longer term Defense Logistics Agency contracts. Early on, you will program small volumes and run machines until a machinist is added to support you. This is not a desk only role. You take parts from drawing and model through Mastercam programming, setup, prove-out, first article, inspection, and production.
What you will work with:
- Mastercam
- Haas VF-4SS and VF-2SS CNC vertical machining centers
- Solid models and complex aerospace and defense components
- Precision inspection equipment
What you will do:
- Develop and optimize CNC milling and turning programs in Mastercam
- Program, set up, prove out, troubleshoot, and run CNC mills and lathes
- Take new parts from print or model through programming, setup, machining, and inspection
- Develop machining strategies, operation sequences, tooling, fixtures, feeds, and speeds
- Perform first-piece and in-process inspection
- Interpret engineering drawings and apply GD&T
- Troubleshoot programming, tooling, workholding, and dimensional problems
- Improve cycle times, tool life, and machine utilization
- Create and maintain setup documentation, tooling information, and program revisions
- Help estimate machining time, setup, and tooling for new work
- Train and mentor machinists and operators as the shop grows
- Build machining, programming, setup, and tooling best practices
What you need:
- 5+ years of hands-on CNC machining experience (mid-level candidates who learn quickly on their own are considered)
- Strong Mastercam programming experience
- Experience programming and setting up CNC mills and lathes, including Haas mills
- Ability to take a part independently from print or model through programming, setup, machining, and inspection
- Strong knowledge of G-code, M-code, feeds, speeds, offsets, cutter compensation, tooling, and workholding
- Blueprint reading and GD&T skills
- Experience holding tight dimensional and geometric tolerances
- Proficiency with micrometers, calipers, bore gauges, indicators, height gauges, and other precision inspection tools
- Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving ability
- Takes ownership and needs very little hand holding
- Professional, clear communicator. This person is the face of the machine shop.
- U.S. citizen (required by customer program contracts)
Nice to have:
- Microsoft 365 skills and interest in workflow automation
- Okuma lathe and OSP control experience (not required)
- 4-axis or 5-axis machining
- Aerospace or defense machining
- AS9100 environment and AS9102 first article inspection
- Fixture and workholding development
- Machining aluminum, stainless steel, alloy steel, titanium, nickel alloys, and engineering plastics
- Experience training or mentoring machinists
Benefits: 401(k) with 6% company match and paid time off.
Schedule: Full time, onsite in Clearwater, FL. The shop recently moved to a 9/80 work schedule.