CNC Lathe Operator

Revak Keene Turbomachinery•La Porte, TX

5d•Onsite

About The Position

FOX Innovation & Technologies is a global provider of aftermarket engineering, manufacturing, repair, and field services for turbomachinery and other mission-critical rotating equipment. Its La Porte manufacturing operation combines advanced machining capabilities with engineering and repair expertise to support energy and industrial markets. The CNC Lathe / VTL Operator sets up and operates CNC lathes and Vertical Turning Lathes (VTLs) to manufacture and repair high-precision components in accordance with engineering drawings, specifications, established CNC programs, and FOX quality requirements. Equipment includes a Neway VTL with live tooling, a G&L VTL with live tooling, and other CNC turning equipment, primarily using FANUC controls. The role calls for strong CNC turning experience and knowledge of setups, workholding, tooling, and dimensional requirements for large and complex components. Experience with rotating-equipment parts, large-diameter and split parts, and components requiring turning and live-tool milling is highly desirable.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Prior hands-on experience setting up and operating CNC lathes and/or Vertical Turning Lathes in a precision machining environment.
Ability to independently perform CNC turning setups and operate equipment safely.
Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and manufacturing specifications.
Working knowledge of GD&T and dimensional tolerancing.
Ability to use precision measuring and inspection equipment.
Working knowledge of turning tools, inserts, boring equipment, tool offsets, work offsets, feeds, speeds, and machining fundamentals.
Ability to recognize tool wear, chatter, poor surface finish, dimensional variation, and other machining problems.
Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting ability.
Ability to maintain close dimensional tolerances on large or complex components.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality and safety.

Nice To Haves

Experience operating large Vertical Turning Lathes.
Experience machining repaired or customer-owned components where existing geometry must be indicated and referenced before material removal.
Experience machining stainless steels, nickel alloys, Inconel, Hastelloy, or other exotic materials.
Experience machining rotating-equipment components, large-diameter parts, split parts, and components requiring turning and live-tool milling.

Responsibilities

Set up and operate CNC lathes and VTLs to manufacture and repair precision components according to drawings, specifications, setup sheets, and established CNC programs.
Operate Neway and G&L VTLs with live tooling and other horizontal and vertical CNC turning equipment as assigned, primarily using FANUC controls.
Read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, work instructions, and applicable GD&T requirements.
Review job requirements and verify materials, tooling, fixtures, jaws, programs, and setup before machining.
Securely fixture large, irregular, split, or high-value components; establish component centerlines, datums, reference surfaces, and machine zero positions.
Establish and verify tool offsets, work offsets, and machining reference points.
Perform program prove-outs, dry runs, first-piece verification, and in-process inspections; make appropriate tool, wear, geometry, and dimensional offsets to maintain tolerances.
Make minor CNC program edits at the machine when necessary and authorized by operating procedures.
Use live tooling for milling, drilling, boring, or other secondary machining operations as required.
Perform turning, facing, boring, threading, grooving, drilling, and related CNC machining operations.
Monitor tool performance, surface finish, dimensional control, chip formation, vibration, chatter, and other process conditions.
Select and change inserts, cutting tools, boring bars, drills, and other tooling based on job and material requirements; apply working knowledge of speeds, feeds, insert geometry, tooling, and materials.
Use precision measuring equipment, including micrometers, large-diameter micrometers, bore gauges, calipers, indicators, and depth gauges; perform and document in-process dimensional inspections.
Maintain dimensional accuracy and required surface finishes while machining carbon steel, stainless steel, alloy steel, and exotic or high-temperature alloys.
Take particular care with large, complex, customer-owned, repaired, or otherwise high-value components; identify and report potential nonconformances before further machining whenever possible.
Troubleshoot machining issues in coordination with CNC Programming, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Quality.
Maintain accurate setup, tooling, inspection, production, and job documentation.
Clean machines and perform operator-level preventive maintenance; keep machines, tools, fixtures, and the surrounding work area clean and organized.
Follow FOX safety procedures, machine operating requirements, lifting and rigging procedures, and quality requirements.
Participate in process improvements involving setups, tooling, machining methods, cycle time, and quality.
Provide complete and accurate job-status and machine-condition information during shift handoffs.
Perform other duties as assigned.