Development CNC Machinist

Astra•Alameda, CA

115d•$45 - $70•Onsite

About The Position

The Development CNC Machinist programs, sets up, and operates CNC lathes and mills, performs manual machining and part inspections, and carries out related shop duties. The role requires experience programming parts of varying complexity in CAM software such as Siemens NX, as well as selecting and setting up tools and workholding for a wide variety of turning and milling operations. The machinist must be comfortable operating a 3-axis vertical CNC mill or a 2-axis CNC lathe. Working with the shop team, the machinist helps produce finished parts faster, at lower cost, and at higher quality than outside vendors. This is a strong individual contributor role reporting directly to the Shop Manager. The position is part of a skilled machine shop team that turns raw materials into finished parts while meeting dimensional requirements and schedule constraints. It also involves collaboration with shop, quality control, and engineering personnel, identifying opportunities to improve shop effectiveness, and maintaining a clean and safe work area. The role requires compliance with U.S. Government space technology trade restrictions, including ITAR and EAR. Employment on restricted work is contingent on the applicant being a documented U.S. Person or being able to obtain the required trade license. Work on government contracts or positions requiring a security clearance may also require appropriate authorization and clearance.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience as a CNC machinist.
Ability to program, set up, and operate CNC mills using CAM software such as Siemens NX or Mastercam.
Direct machining experience with manual equipment such as a knee mill, manual lathe, or drill press.
Ability to calculate feeds and speeds and solve geometry problems.
Understanding of different materials and grades, their relative machinability, and ability to identify them quickly.
Proficiency in thread cutting and identifying and inspecting threads.
Proficiency with measuring instruments, including calipers, micrometers, hard gauges, and height gauges.
Fluency in reading shop drawings and understanding GD&T.
Ability to lift 40+ pounds, push heavy carts or crates, and stretch, reach, kneel, or crawl as required by tasks.
Ability to use Excel, Word, and email, and to use a computer for information retrieval and storage.
Comfort communicating technical information with engineering, managers, and colleagues.
Energetic individual with excellent written and oral communication skills.
Ability to meet applicable U.S. trade-control requirements for restricted work, including documented U.S. Person status or eligibility to receive a trade license; government-contract or clearance work may require appropriate authorization and clearance.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a high-mix, fast-paced job shop.
Experience writing or editing posts.
Fabrication experience, including welding, sheet metal, waterjet, assembly, or finish work.
Training in an engineering or design discipline.
Lean manufacturing certifications.
Experience with Proto-TRAK, multi-axis machines, palletized HMCs/VMCs, laser cutting, or EDM.

Responsibilities

Interpret dimensioned part drawings to select appropriate machine tools, workholding, and inspection equipment.
Program and operate CNC machines, taking parts from start to finish, including CAM programming, calculating feeds and speeds, setting up cutting tools and workholding, proofing programs, loading parts, and breaking down setups.
Operate manual metal-cutting machinery, including knee mills, engine and tool room lathes, drill presses, tapping machines, surface grinders, and saws, as needed.
Inspect finished and in-process parts using handheld inspection tools, including calipers, micrometers, and hard gauges, sometimes in cooperation with the QC lab.
Communicate and collaborate with shop, quality control, and engineering personnel.
Identify bottlenecks and recurring issues and offer potential solutions to improve shop effectiveness.
Monitor machinery for maintenance needs and safety issues.
Maintain a clean work area and perform preventative maintenance.