Precision CNC Milling Setup Machinist — Aerospace & Defense Components

Compensation: $30–$34/hr + 10% premium for 2nd shift | Day 1 benefits | Weekly pay | Aerospace & Defense

Location: Elk Grove Village, IL | Schedule: Full-time

A day in the role

You clock in and take ownership of a vertical or horizontal machining center. A new, tight-tolerance aerospace job is queued. You set the tone: choose and install workholding, pull the right cutters, and step through program prove-out until that first article earns approval. As the parts run, you dial in FANUC offsets and make thoughtful edits or parameter tweaks to land the print the first time. Your micrometers, calipers, bore gages, dial indicators—and, when applicable, the CMM—confirm you’re on target.

Issues don’t wait for engineering here. When a finish isn’t quite right or a tool starts to wander, you investigate, correct, and keep the job moving. You translate complex GD&T into a clean, repeatable setup; document it clearly; and hand off to operators so the next shift continues without a hiccup. Before leaving, you tidy your area to 5S standards and brief the team on priorities, in-process work, and open items.

What you’ll handle

• End-to-end setups on CNC vertical and horizontal machining centers, from workholding and tooling to prove-out and first-article signoff
• FANUC control adjustments—offsets, edits, and parameter changes—to hit tight tolerances quickly
• In-process and final inspection using micrometers, calipers, bore gages, dial indicators, and CMM where appropriate
• Independent troubleshooting of out-of-tolerance conditions, tool wear, surface finish concerns, and machine alarms
• Confident blueprint reading and GD&T interpretation
• Clear setup documentation for smooth repeatability and operator handoff
• Strong shift communication so priorities and status carry over cleanly
• Maintaining a clean, organized work area aligned to 5S

What we’re looking for

Required

• 5+ years of CNC milling with true start-to-finish setup responsibility (beyond operator-only work)
• Proven ability to independently set workholding, select tooling, and prove out programs
• Expert reading of blueprints and GD&T
• Hands-on precision measurement and first-article inspection experience
• A track record of diagnosing and resolving tolerance, wear, and alarm issues on your own

Strongly preferred

• FANUC experience beyond running proven programs—offsets, edits, and parameter adjustments
• Background in aerospace, defense, or heavy industrial precision manufacturing
• Familiarity with AS9100 or ISO 9001 systems
• Comfort with high-mix, low-volume, complex parts
• Experience informally coaching or mentoring operators

Compensation, shift, and benefits

• $30–$34/hr, based on your actual setup experience
• 2nd shift available with a 10% differential
• Medical, dental, and vision starting day 1
• Weekly pay
• 401(k) with company match, company-paid life and disability, HSA/FSA
• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Gainsharing bonus—when Acme succeeds, you share in it
• Engaging, non-repetitive work on aerospace and defense components
• Clean, safe, modern facility

Growth and stability

• 75+ years strong—founded in 1948, PE-backed, and growing
• Active investment in your development: apprenticeship, workforce development, clear path to lead roles, training, and mentorship

About Acme Industries

Since 1948, Acme Industries has delivered precision manufacturing for aerospace, defense, power generation, mining, and transportation from our Elk Grove Village, IL facility. We specialize in large, complex machined castings and forgings—measured in feet and weighing up to a ton—for customers who demand zero compromise. We’re expanding and building the team to match.