Location: Milford, CT
Work Setting: 100% onsite in a precision CNC manufacturing environment
Shift: 1st Shift, Monday–Friday; most work is performed approximately 7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m., with some schedule flexibility available
Compensation: $32–$40/hour, based on experience, technical capability, and setup expertise
Overtime: Available, generally on a voluntary basis
Benefits: Medical benefits, company-matching 401(k), paid vacation, paid holidays, and paid sick days. Benefits generally begin after 30 days.
Position Summary
A well-established precision CNC manufacturing company is seeking an experienced Senior CNC Set Up Technician – Mill or Lathe to join its team in Milford, CT.
This is a hands-on machining position for an experienced CNC professional with strong setup, programming, and troubleshooting capabilities. Candidates may bring their strongest experience from either CNC milling or CNC turning/lathe operations. Experience across both is a plus but is not required.
Depending on your background, you'll set up and operate 2-axis and 3-axis CNC horizontal lathes and/or 3-axis, 4-axis, and 5-axis vertical CNC mills used to manufacture high-precision components for aerospace, defense, medical, semiconductor, and other advanced manufacturing applications.
The ideal candidate can independently take ownership of jobs from setup through production, work with Fanuc controls, write or edit G-code, read complex blueprints, troubleshoot machining and tooling issues, and verify that finished parts meet tight dimensional requirements.
This is not a button-pusher or basic machine operator position. We're looking for an experienced setup machinist who understands the machining process and can make the adjustments necessary to produce quality parts efficiently.
More experienced candidates will also have the opportunity to serve as a technical resource to other machinists, helping troubleshoot difficult setups and improve shop-floor execution while remaining actively involved with the machines.
What You'll Do
• Independently set up and operate CNC milling and/or turning equipment based on your area of expertise
• Set up and operate 2-axis and 3-axis CNC horizontal lathes and/or 3-axis, 4-axis, and 5-axis vertical CNC milling machines
• Write, edit, and adjust CNC programs using G-code
• Set up jobs, tooling, fixtures, and machines for precision component production
• Work with Fanuc controls and other CNC control environments
• Program and work with positional indexers when supporting CNC milling operations
• Read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and manufacturing documentation
• Use micrometers, calipers, gages, and other precision measuring instruments
• Verify first-piece and ongoing production dimensions to ensure parts meet specifications
• Troubleshoot setup, programming, tooling, machining, and production issues
• Make appropriate adjustments to improve machining accuracy, consistency, and efficiency
• Work closely with manufacturing engineering, quality, planning, and other shop personnel
• Help troubleshoot difficult machining and setup challenges
• Maintain high standards for accuracy, precision, workmanship, and quality
• Support quality requirements associated with aerospace, defense, medical, semiconductor, and other precision-manufacturing applications
• For more experienced machinists, serve as a positive technical resource and example for less-experienced members of the machining team
What You Bring
• Minimum of approximately 3–5 years of hands-on CNC machining and setup experience
• Strong experience independently setting up CNC mills and/or CNC lathes
• Experience with 2-axis or 3-axis CNC horizontal lathes and/or 3-axis, 4-axis, or 5-axis vertical CNC mills
• Hands-on experience with Fanuc controls or similar CNC control systems
• Working knowledge of G-code programming
• Ability to write, edit, or adjust CNC programs as necessary
• Strong blueprint and engineering drawing interpretation skills
• Experience using precision measuring instruments and gages
• Ability to verify first-piece and production dimensions
• Strong machining, setup, tooling, and troubleshooting capabilities
• Ability to work to tight tolerances and maintain high quality standards
• Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and precision
• Reliable attendance and a professional, team-oriented approach
• Ability to work onsite in Milford, CT on first shift
Preferred Qualifications
• Strong CNC lathe setup experience, including horizontal turning equipment
• Strong CNC milling experience, including 3-axis, 4-axis, and/or 5-axis equipment
• Experience across both CNC milling and turning operations
• Experience programming and working with positional indexers
• Experience with bar feeding systems
• Working knowledge of GD&T
• Aerospace, defense, medical, semiconductor, or similar high-precision machining experience
• Experience within a small CNC shop, job shop, or high-mix precision manufacturing environment
• Previous senior machinist, lead machinist, or technical floor-support experience
• Experience helping other machinists troubleshoot setups or production issues
• Familiarity with SwissTech, Doosan, Hardinge, Yaskawa, or similar CNC equipment
• Experience within an AS9100 and/or ISO 9001 manufacturing environment
• Experience collaborating with engineering, quality, and production-planning teams
Why This Opportunity
• Competitive $32–$40/hour compensation based on skill, setup capability, and experience
• Optional overtime opportunities
• Stable first-shift, Monday–Friday schedule
• Join an established precision machining operation with more than 50 years in business
• Work on sophisticated components supporting aerospace, defense, medical, semiconductor, and other advanced industries
• Opportunity for experienced CNC mill OR CNC lathe setup machinists — you do not need to be an expert in both disciplines
• Work with advanced CNC equipment, including multi-axis milling and precision turning platforms
• Take ownership of setups, programming adjustments, troubleshooting, and production rather than simply operating machines
• Remain hands-on while potentially becoming a trusted technical resource for other machinists
• Smaller shop environment where skilled machinists can make a visible impact on quality, productivity, workflow, and machining processes
• Opportunity to join an organization investing in stronger manufacturing processes, systems, and long-term growth
• Medical benefits, company-matching 401(k), paid vacation, paid holidays, and paid sick days
