CNC Set-Up Machinist/Operator
VetPowered, LLC, named Veteran Owned Small Business of the Year in the United States, is a rapidly growing San Diego-based corporation specializing in manufacturing, welding, fabrication, machinery repair, and customized training under private and U.S. Government contracts. VetPowered employs a highly trained workforce that uses advanced CNC equipment. VetPowered is dedicated to bringing advanced manufacturing back to America.
Key Job Functions:
At VetPowered, the CNC Set-Up Machinist/Operator is responsible for independently setting up and operating CNC mills and lathes to produce precision components that meet drawing, quality, and delivery requirements. Reporting to the Production Supervisor, this position prepares machines for production, safely proves out programs, verifies first-piece dimensions, monitors machining performance, and documents the completed setup for repeatability. Hands-on experience with Haas CNC machines and FANUC-controlled equipment is important to success in this role.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
CNC Machine Setup and Prove-Out
- Perform complete setups on CNC mills and/or lathes, including verifying the correct program revision, installing workholding, selecting and installing tooling, setting tool geometry and wear offsets, and establishing work offsets.
- Indicate and square fixtures, vises, and workpieces, then verify machine and workholding readiness before machining begins.
- Load and verify G-code programs, use approved prove-out methods, and confirm safe tool paths before releasing a job for production.
- Establish and verify work coordinate systems, including G54-G59, based on setup instructions and part requirements.
- Complete first-piece inspection and make approved tooling, offset, speed, or feed adjustments needed to bring parts within specification.
- Review setup sheets, travelers, drawings, revision levels, tooling lists, and work instructions before beginning work.
- Set up and operate Haas CNC machines and CNC mills and/or lathes equipped with FANUC controls.
- Navigate Haas and FANUC control interfaces to load and select programs, use MDI functions, set tool and work offsets, and support safe machine start-up and restart procedures.
- Use control functions such as single block, optional stop, dry run, graphics, and feed or spindle overrides during program verification and troubleshooting.
- Identify common machine or control alarms, determine the cause when within the scope of the position, and recover equipment safely or report the issue for support.
- Make approved G-code and offset adjustments at the machine and document changes so the setup can be repeated accurately.
- Operate assigned CNC equipment while monitoring cycle performance, tool condition, chip control, coolant flow, surface finish, and part dimensions.
- Inspect parts at required intervals using calipers, micrometers, indicators, height gauges, bore gauges, thread gauges, pin gauges, and other precision measuring tools.
- Make approved wear-offset adjustments and replace tools when needed to maintain dimensional consistency and product quality.
- Troubleshoot tool wear, tool breakage, chatter, dimensional variation, poor finish, workholding issues, and other machining problems.
- Stop production and notify the Production Supervisor or Quality when drawings, programs, specifications, material, tooling, inspection results, or work instructions are incomplete or do not support conforming production.
- Meet production priorities while maintaining safety, quality, traceability, and accurate labor reporting.
- Read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, specifications, tolerances, setup instructions, routers, and inspection requirements.
- Follow AS9100 Quality Management System procedures and all applicable customer and internal requirements.
- Complete setup sheets, tooling lists, travelers, inspection records, labor entries, and job notes accurately and on time.
- Maintain part identification, material traceability, and segregation of nonconforming product throughout the machining process.
- Communicate scrap, rework, equipment problems, missing documentation, and recurring process issues promptly.
- Follow all machine-safety requirements, lockout/tagout procedures, personal protective equipment requirements, and approved work practices.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe 6S-based work area, including machines, tooling, gauges, fixtures, and surrounding floor space.
- Perform routine operator-level machine care and report maintenance or repair needs promptly.
- Perform other duties as required in support of the department and company goals.
To perform this job successfully, the candidate must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily, with or without an accommodation. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability required.
- Minimum of three years of CNC machining experience, including independent machine setup and operation in a production environment.
- Hands-on experience with Haas CNC controls and/or FANUC controls is required. Experience setting up and operating equipment with both control types is preferred.
- Ability to complete a CNC setup from setup documentation, including workholding, tooling, tool offsets, work offsets, program verification, prove-out, and first-piece inspection.
- Experience with CNC mills and/or lathes. Experience with 4-axis or 5-axis machining is preferred.
- Strong understanding of G-code, cutting tools, speeds and feeds, workholding, machining processes, and safe prove-out practices.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, specifications, and work instructions.
- Proficiency with precision measuring tools and in-process inspection methods.
- Experience troubleshooting dimensional variation, tool wear or breakage, chatter, alarms, and other machining issues.
- Familiarity with CAM software such as Fusion 360, Mastercam, or a similar platform is preferred.
- Experience working within an AS9100 or comparable quality system is preferred.
- Experience with JobBOSS, Paperless Parts, ProShop, or UniPoint is a plus.
- Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Contribute to achievement of the Mission and Vision of our organization by:
- Attention to Detail - The ability to accomplish a task while demonstrating a thorough concern for all the areas involved, no matter how small.
- All In - Brings their whole self to work and gives it their all no matter how difficult the job or situation.
- Accountable - Takes personal responsibility for their work, owns mistakes, communicates honestly rather than hiding the truth, and does not blame others or make excuses.
- Adaptable - Easily adjusts to changing circumstances.
- Always Improving - Makes a constant, ongoing effort to improve a product, service, skill set, or the team's way of working.
Position Details: This is a full-time hourly (non-exempt) position, 40+ hours per week. This position is located onsite with no remote work available.
Schedule: This position is Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Occasional weekends, overtime, or schedule adjustments may be required to support company goals and production needs.
Pay: The range of pay for this California-based position is $30.00-$38.00 per hour. This reflects base pay only and does not include any opportunity for incentive compensation.
Incentive Compensation: Potential for bonus or incentive compensation after one full year of employment.
Benefits and Perks: VetPowered makes available comprehensive benefits the first of the month following the date of hire. Options include medical coverage with a 50% employer contribution, dental and vision coverage with a 100% employer contribution, a 401(k) program with employer match up to $1,000 per year, eight paid holidays, and paid time off.
Dress Code: This position is provided VetPowered uniforms and laundry service. Employees must wear closed-toe shoes and any required personal protective equipment in production areas.
Supervisory: None
Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
The employee is frequently required to stand, sit, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is regularly required to push, move, lift, or otherwise bear 10-30 lbs. Work may include repetitive computer use with a keyboard and mouse while sitting or standing at an assigned work area.
Work Environment: The employee works in a contract manufacturing facility in an urban industrial neighborhood. The facility includes administrative offices, classrooms, welding areas, and machining areas.
The employee may encounter additional environmental hazards that are chemical, electrical, flammable, or mechanical in nature.
E-Verify Compliance Statement:
VetPowered, LLC participates in the E-Verify program. We ensure employment eligibility of all employees by using the E-Verify electronic verification system.
Policy for Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation Prevention:
VetPowered, LLC is committed to providing a professional work environment free from discrimination and harassment, including discrimination and harassment based on a protected characteristic, and an environment free from retaliation for participating in any protected activity covered by this policy.
VetPowered, LLC employees are expected to assume responsibility for maintaining a work environment that is free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Employees are encouraged to promptly report conduct that they believe violates this policy so that we have an opportunity to address and resolve any concerns. Managers and supervisors are required to promptly report conduct that they believe violates this policy. We are committed to responding to alleged violations of this policy in a timely and fair manner and to taking appropriate action aimed at ending the prohibited conduct.
EEO Statement:
VetPowered, LLC is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees, applicants, unpaid interns, and volunteers without regard to actual or perceived: race (including hair texture or protected hairstyles, e.g. braids, locks, and twists), color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin (including language use restrictions), ancestry, citizenship, disability (mental and physical) including HIV and AIDS, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 years and over), sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status, family and medical leave status, domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, and any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.
All openings are subject to change without notice, due to the volume of applications / resumes received, we are unable to respond to status inquiries. Please be assured that your information is being properly handled and forwarded to the appropriate hiring staff. If your skills and qualifications meet the needs of the job, you will be contacted.