CNC Programming & Setup Machinist (Aerospace/Defense)

Full-time | Elk Grove Village, IL

Own complex CNC setups from print to production on high‑mix, close‑tolerance work for aerospace, defense, power generation, and industrial customers. Specialize in milling or turning—whichever best fits your background—and take accountability for first‑article quality and production readiness.

• Transform engineering drawings and travelers into robust, efficient setups.
• Program or edit at the control to perfect toolpaths, feeds, and speeds.
• Lock in first‑piece conformance, then sustain it across production.
• Elevate process reliability by identifying tool wear, chatter, or finish issues fast.
• Advance team capability—mentor operators and propose CI ideas that shave setup time.

• Plan and execute setups on CNC mills and/or lathes using setup sheets and job travelers.
• Select tooling, holders, and workholding; coordinate with the tooling crib as required.
• Set work, tool length, and fixture offsets; verify against blueprint and GD&T.
• Perform first‑article and in‑process inspections (calipers, micrometers, bore/thread gages, height gages, indicators); document results.
• Operate equipment to hit tight tolerances and exacting surface finishes.
• Run multiple setups or machines concurrently when feasible.
• Complete setup documentation, traveler sign‑offs, and first‑article records.
• Work within Acme’s QMS (ISO 9001:2015 / AS9100D) and customer‑specific quality plans; immediately report nonconformances.
• Maintain 5S standards and comply with PPE, guarding, lockout/tagout, and hazardous material procedures.
• Collaborate with Engineering/Quality when prints are ambiguous or manufacturability is in question.

• 5+ years of CNC setup in precision machining, job shop, or contract manufacturing.
• Independent execution of complex setups on mills and/or lathes.
• Fluency in reading blueprints with GD&T, surface finish, and tolerance interpretation.
• Measurement mastery: calipers, micrometers, indicators, height gages, bore/thread gages.
• Ability to program/edit at the control (conversational or G‑code).
• Track record holding ±0.001 in. or tighter.
• High school diploma/GED (machining trade/tech training preferred).
• Lift/move up to 50 lbs.; team‑lift as needed.
• English reading/writing and basic computer proficiency.

• FANUC controls (0i, 30i, 31i series).
• Large VMC/HMC platforms and CNC lathes with live tooling.
• Experience machining castings, forgings, and other near‑net shapes.
• Background in ISO 9001 or AS9100D environments.
• Made2Manage ERP or similar job shop ERP familiarity.
• 4th/5th axis setups.

• $36.00–$42.00 per hour
• 10% shift differential for 2nd shift
• Hiring bonus
• Medical, dental, vision from Day 1
• Company‑paid life insurance; short‑ and long‑term disability
• HSA and FSA options
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid vacation, sick time, holidays
• Weekly pay and gainsharing bonus opportunities
• Tuition assistance
• Clean, modern shop with late‑model CNC equipment

Founded in 1948, Acme Industries serves aerospace, defense, power generation, mining, and transportation markets from Elk Grove Village, Illinois. We’re ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified and specialize in large, complex machined castings and forgings. Work here is challenging and varied—no monotonous repeat cycles—so your setup craftsmanship truly matters.