CNC Lathe Machinist
Location: Manchester, CT
Employment Type: Full-Time
Company Overview
Our client is a well-established precision manufacturing company specializing in the design and manufacture of custom tooling, fixtures, gages, and precision-machined components. With decades of experience serving customers across multiple industries, the company is known for its craftsmanship, technical expertise, and commitment to quality. This is an excellent opportunity to join a collaborative team where every employee plays an important role in producing complex, one-of-a-kind components.
Position Summary
Our client is seeking an experienced CNC Lathe Machinist to join its precision machining team. This position is responsible for setting up, operating, and optimizing CNC lathes to manufacture close-tolerance tooling, fixtures, gages, and custom-machined components. This is not a high-volume production environment—the work consists primarily of prototype, low-volume, and custom machining where attention to detail and problem-solving are essential.
The ideal candidate is a highly skilled machinist capable of independently interpreting engineering drawings, selecting tooling, making offsets, and producing precision parts that consistently meet demanding quality standards.
Responsibilities
Set up and operate CNC lathes to manufacture precision tooling, fixtures, gages, and custom-machined components.
Interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and GD&T requirements.
Perform machine setups, tool changes, workholding setup, and program verification.
Edit programs and make offsets at the machine as required to maintain dimensional accuracy.
Machine a wide variety of materials including tool steels, stainless steel, aluminum, hardened alloys, and other specialty metals.
Inspect completed parts using precision measuring equipment to ensure compliance with specifications.
Perform in-process inspections and make necessary adjustments to maintain quality.
Work closely with programmers, engineers, and quality personnel to resolve machining challenges.
Maintain organized work areas and follow established safety procedures.
Assist with continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, efficiency, and process optimization.
Perform preventative maintenance and routine care of machining equipment.
Qualifications
High school diploma or equivalent required.
5+ years of CNC lathe setup and machining experience in a precision manufacturing environment.
Strong blueprint reading skills.
Solid understanding of Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T).
Experience machining close-tolerance components.
Ability to independently perform complete machine setups.
Experience making program edits and tool offsets at the machine.
Strong understanding of cutting tools, feeds, speeds, and workholding methods.
Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities.
Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a team.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience machining tooling, fixtures, gages, molds, or prototype components.
Experience with live tooling and multi-axis CNC lathes.
Familiarity with Fanuc controls or similar CNC controls.
Experience working in a job shop or low-volume/high-mix manufacturing environment.
Ability to inspect parts using micrometers, bore gages, thread gages, height gages, and other precision inspection equipment.
Experience machining hardened tool steels and other difficult-to-machine materials.
What We Offer
Competitive compensation based on experience
Comprehensive health benefits
401(k) with company match
Paid vacation and company holidays
Stable, growing precision manufacturing environment
Opportunity to machine challenging, complex components rather than repetitive production parts
Clean, modern shop with advanced equipment
Long-term career growth and professional development opportunities
Ideal Background
This opportunity is well suited for CNC Lathe Machinists with experience in:
Tool & die manufacturing
Precision tooling and gage manufacturing
Prototype machining
Job shop environments
Mold manufacturing
Aerospace tooling
Medical device tooling
Custom precision machining
