Machinist A

MIT Lincoln Laboratory•Lexington, MA

22d•$39 - $44

About The Position

The Fabrication Engineering Group provides rapid fabrication, assembly, integration, and testing of advanced hardware prototypes for national security applications. Its capabilities include precision fabrication, additive manufacturing, 5-axis machining, printed circuit board production, and hardware assembly, integration, and testing. The group focuses on high-complexity parts, quick-turn capabilities, and concurrent engineering with program teams. The Machinist supports an R&D environment developing high-precision, low-volume prototypes. The role includes CNC programming, machine setup and operation, teardown, cleanup, and equipment maintenance, as well as maintaining a clean, safe, and organized workspace. Machinists at this level independently develop fabrication strategies, identify tooling requirements, design and build custom fixtures, and collaborate with engineers and other machinists on complex hardware. The work may occasionally require overtime to meet critical program milestones. Candidates with milling or turning expertise are encouraged to apply, and the role may require expanding skills to cover both operations. Opportunities are available to learn additional technologies, including metal and polymer additive manufacturing, EDM, and diamond turning. Selected candidates will undergo a pre-employment background investigation and must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret-level DoD security clearance. U.S. citizenship is required.

Requirements

6–15 years of direct experience in subtractive manufacturing, with hands-on milling, turning, or both.
Demonstrated CNC programming and operation expertise in milling and/or turning, with the ability and willingness to expand into both.
Experience with manual machining equipment.
Ability to read mechanical drawings and apply GD&T.
Ability to design and fabricate basic fixtures.
Experience with CAM software, 3D CAD software, and MS Office, including Excel, Word, and Outlook.
Proficiency with hand tools and inspection equipment, such as calipers, micrometers, thread and pin gages, dial indicators, and pistol drills.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team with minimal supervision.
Self-motivation and enthusiasm for supporting novel prototype development in an R&D setting.
Willingness to learn new fabrication techniques, machine tools, and technologies.
Commitment to maintaining a clean, organized, and safe work area.
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret-level DoD security clearance, subject to a pre-employment background investigation.
U.S. citizenship.

Nice To Haves

Graduation from a two-year technical school or equivalent training.
Experience in a high-mix, low-volume job shop or R&D prototype environment.
Experience with CNC turning with live tooling.
Experience with SolidWorks CAD, hyperMILL CAM, DMG Mori Seiki NLX lathes, or Heidenhain iTNC 530 controllers.
Experience machining advanced or difficult materials, such as titanium, Invar, Hastelloy, 17-4 PH stainless steel, metal matrix composites, or fiber-reinforced composites.
Familiarity with digital manufacturing tools, including Model Based Definition (MBD) and Product Lifecycle Management systems such as Aras Innovator.
Exposure to ultrasonic machining, additive manufacturing, EDM, or diamond turning.

Responsibilities

Program, set up, operate, tear down, clean, and maintain CNC equipment.
Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work area.
Independently develop fabrication strategies.
Identify and communicate tooling requirements.
Design and build custom fixtures.
Collaborate with engineers and other machinists on complex or challenging hardware.
Expand expertise into both CNC milling and turning operations as needed.