CNC Setup Machinist

Overview

We’re partnering confidentially with a growing precision manufacturer in Southeastern Wisconsin to identify a CNC Setup Machinist to support a busy machining operation focused on close-tolerance precision components.

This role is ideal for a hands-on setup machinist who enjoys machine setup, tooling, troubleshooting, process improvement, and helping keep production moving in a fast-paced environment. The position offers strong exposure to CNC lathes, live tooling, and precision machining work across complex components.

The company continues to invest heavily in equipment, training, and long-term growth and is looking for people who want to build a career in a highly respected machining environment.

Schedule

Full-Time
Custom part-time schedules may be considered for qualified machinists.

Shift Options

1st Shift: 5:00 AM – 3:00 PM
2nd Shift: 3:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Shift premium available for 2nd shift

Typical schedules may include:

• Monday–Thursday


• Tuesday–Friday

Overtime opportunities available depending on production volume.

Machines You’ll Work With

• Miyano


• Miyano BX


• Mori Seiki


• Doosan


• GT


• Lynx


• Puma


• Barfeed systems

Strong lathe/live tooling experience is highly valued.

Key Responsibilities

• Set up CNC machines to meet print and production requirements


• Adjust tooling, offsets, speeds, and feeds for production


• Prepare parts and load material into machines


• Read and interpret blueprints, routing sheets, and machining instructions


• Download/load programs and support production changeovers


• Perform close-tolerance machining operations


• Troubleshoot machine, tooling, and process issues


• Inspect finished parts to ensure quality standards are met


• Maintain tooling and insert/tooling inventory


• Make machine adjustments during production as needed


• Support continuous improvement and process optimization efforts


• Train or assist operators and newer team members where needed


• Maintain organized work area and follow all quality and safety standards

Qualifications

Looking for candidates with:

• 3–5+ years CNC setup experience in a manufacturing environment


• CNC lathe setup experience strongly preferred


• Live tooling experience preferred


• Ability to read and interpret blueprints and machining documentation


• Experience with feeds, speeds, offsets, tooling, and setup optimization


• Experience with close-tolerance machining


• Ability to use measuring instruments such as:




• Micrometers


• Calipers


• Gauges


• Inspection tools




• Strong troubleshooting and mechanical problem-solving skills


• Ability to work independently in a production environment


• Strong quality awareness and attention to detail


• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and work in active shop environment

Benefits & Perks

This organization offers a very strong total rewards package for machining talent:

Compensation & Incentives

• Competitive hourly wages based on experience


• Sign-on bonus available


• Employee referral bonus


• Quarterly incentive bonus program


• Weekly pay

Paid Time Off

• PTO begins accruing upon hire


• Paid holidays (11 annually)

Health & Wellness

• Medical insurance


• Dental insurance


• Vision insurance


• Flexible Spending Plan


• Dependent Care Flex Plan


• Critical Illness coverage


• Accident coverage


• Short-Term Disability (company paid)


• Long-Term Disability


• Company-paid Life Insurance


• Optional supplemental life insurance


• Employee Assistance Program


• Access to near-site health clinic services

Retirement

• 401(k) with company match


• Immediate vesting

Additional Perks

• Climate-controlled facility


• Tuition reimbursement / education assistance


• Ongoing technical training and development


• Internal advancement opportunities


• Tool purchase assistance


• Safety shoe reimbursement


• Prescription safety glasses program


• Uniform rental/laundry options


• Company lunches and employee appreciation events


• Casual work environment


• Free coffee, fruit, and snacks


• Apprenticeship and development programs

Culture & Environment

This team cares deeply about attitude, craftsmanship, accountability, and fit.

They tend to do best with people who are:

• Humble


• Hands-on


• Mechanically strong


• Team-oriented


• Reliable


• Coachable


• Comfortable moving quickly


• Strong problem solvers


• Quality-minded


• Respectful under pressure


• Interested in long-term opportunity vs. short-term job hopping

Team environment includes:

• Fast-paced, high-accountability manufacturing environment


• Strong teamwork across production and engineering


• Direct communication with low bureaucracy


• Leadership that is visible and accessible


• Strong “all hands on deck” mentality


• Continuous improvement mindset


• Significant investment in equipment and people


• Long-tenured employees and strong retention

Why Candidates Are Interested

• Strong setup-focused role with hands-on machining responsibility


• Work with complex precision-machined parts


• Stable, growing manufacturer with long-term opportunity


• Strong benefits package


• Climate-controlled environment


• Investment in training and advancement


• Leadership team values skill, effort, and attitude


• Opportunity to make a visible impact on production