CNC Machinist III

Polymer Concepts Technologies•Apple Valley, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The CNC Machinist III is the advanced technical level within the CNC Machinist career path and serves as a technical leader and subject-matter resource within the Machine Shop. The position performs complex machining, setup, inspection, troubleshooting, tooling, and process-development activities across the department's CNC equipment while helping establish and improve manufacturing standards, setup methods, cycle performance, and technical capabilities. The CNC Machinist III also supports the development of less-experienced machinists through technical coaching, mentoring, and knowledge transfer. This position provides technical leadership and guidance but does not, by virtue of the position, carry formal supervisory or people-management responsibility. Formal employee supervision, performance management, disciplinary authority, staffing decisions, and overall departmental management remain with the CNC Manufacturing Manager or other designated management.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
Seven or more years of progressive shop-floor CNC machining experience or an equivalent combination of experience, training, and demonstrated advanced competency sufficient to perform the full requirements of the position.
Advanced demonstrated proficiency in CNC setup, operation, inspection, troubleshooting, tooling, and machining-process improvement.
Demonstrated ability to set up and operate the CNC machine types/platforms required within the Machine Shop.
Advanced ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, dimensions, and tolerances and to identify and appropriately communicate recommended drawing redlines.
Comprehensive working knowledge and practical application of GD&T.
Advanced proficiency performing first-article, in-process, and other authorized inspection activities using precision measuring equipment.
Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex machining, tooling, dimensional, setup, and process issues.
Demonstrated knowledge of cutting-tool selection, holders, workholding, tooling design, feeds and speeds, and machining strategy.
Demonstrated experience improving machine setups, cycle times, process repeatability, or manufacturing standards without compromising safety or quality.
Demonstrated ability to provide technical coaching, mentoring, and knowledge transfer to other machinists.
Effective communication and collaboration skills sufficient to work across Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, and leadership functions.

Nice To Haves

Advanced vocational, apprenticeship, technical, or postsecondary education in machining, manufacturing technology, CNC programming, or a related discipline.
Extensive experience with the specific CNC platforms utilized by the Machine Shop, including lathe and mill operations and Tsugami or comparable equipment.
Advanced training or certification in GD&T.
Experience developing or improving tooling, workholding, standardized setup practices, or CNC manufacturing processes.
Experience participating in new-product introduction, manufacturability review, continuous improvement, Lean manufacturing, or similar initiatives.
Previous experience serving as a technical mentor, trainer, senior machinist, or subject-matter resource.

Responsibilities

Perform all technical responsibilities associated with CNC Machinist I and II at an advanced level of proficiency.
Set up and operate all CNC machine types/platforms within the Machine Shop for which qualification has been established, including CNC lathes and mills and the department's primary lathe platforms.
Interpret complex engineering drawings, specifications, tolerances, and manufacturing requirements.
Demonstrate comprehensive understanding and practical application of GD&T
Review and redline drawings to identify manufacturing considerations, discrepancies, clarification needs, or recommended technical changes through established processes.
Perform first-article and in-process inspections and applicable technical sign-offs within established authorization and quality procedures.
Troubleshoot complex machining, dimensional, tooling, setup, and process problems.
Design, select, and optimize cutting tools, holders, workholding, and related tooling solutions.
Develop, improve, document, and maintain machining setup standards and best practices.
Identify and implement setup-time and cycle-time reductions while maintaining applicable safety, quality, and product requirements.
Analyze machining processes and recommend improvements to productivity, repeatability, quality, tooling performance, and manufacturability.
Serve as a technical escalation resource for complex machining and setup issues.
Provide hands-on technical coaching, mentoring, and knowledge transfer to CNC Machinist I and II employees.
Assist with qualification and technical development of less-experienced machinists.
Promote consistent adherence to established machining methods, setup standards, inspection requirements, and manufacturing practices.
Collaborate with the CNC Manufacturing Manager, Quality, Engineering, and other appropriate functions to resolve technical manufacturing issues.
Participate in new-product, new-process, tooling, equipment, and continuous improvement initiatives as assigned.
Support development and maintenance of standardized work, setup documentation, technical instructions, and manufacturing knowledge.
Employees may be required to perform other related duties as assigned to meet business needs.