CNC Machinist / Automation Cell Technician

CNC Machinist / Automation Cell Technician

Position Summary

Advanced Technology Systems Company (ATSC) is seeking an experienced CNC Machinist / Automation Cell Technician to support CNC machining, automated fabrication equipment, robotic welding operations, and precision structural assembly.

The primary responsibility of this position is setup, programming, and operation of Haas CNC milling equipment, including our current Haas TM-3P and any future replacement or upgraded CNC equipment. The ideal candidate will have strong hands-on Haas experience, including G-code and M-code, tooling, workholding, setup, offsets, feeds and speeds, program verification, troubleshooting, and first-part inspection.

Because CNC machining alone does not represent a full-time workload in our current manufacturing environment, this position will also support other automated manufacturing equipment, including a JD Squared XR12 CNC tube and pipe cutting system and robotic welding cells. Training can be provided on equipment-specific software and processes. The successful candidate should be mechanically capable, comfortable learning new manufacturing technologies, and able to move between machining, automated fabrication, inspection, fit-up, and production-support activities as workload requires.

Key Responsibilities

• Haas CNC Setup & Operation: Set up and operate Haas CNC milling equipment, including machine preparation, workholding, tooling, work offsets, tool offsets, probing or indicating as applicable, and first-part setup.

• CNC Programming: Create, edit, troubleshoot, and optimize CNC programs using appropriate G-code and M-code. Review existing programs and make controlled adjustments to improve machining accuracy, reliability, and efficiency.

• Machining Process Development: Select appropriate cutting tools, workholding methods, feeds, speeds, depths of cut, machining sequences, and other process parameters based on material, geometry, tolerance, and tooling requirements.

• Blueprint & Manufacturing Drawing Interpretation: Read and interpret engineering drawings, machining requirements, weld symbols, tolerances, and Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T). Identify critical dimensions and manufacturing requirements before beginning work.

• First-Part & In-Process Inspection: Inspect machined and fabricated parts using appropriate precision measuring equipment, including calipers, micrometers, height gauges, indicators, squares, gauges, and other inspection tools. Verify first parts before proceeding with production.

• XR12 Tube Cutter Programming & Operation: Support programming and operation of the JD Squared XR12 CNC tube and pipe cutting system. Import released STEP files into the machine programming software, verify part geometry and stock profile, assign cutting and drilling operations, establish process sequence, verify the program, and prepare jobs for production.

• XR12 Material Setup: Load, orient, support, and verify material on the XR12, including square tube, rectangular tube, round tube or pipe, angle, channel, and other approved structural profiles. Confirm material dimensions, wall thickness, orientation, machine setup, and clearances before processing.

• Plasma Process Setup: Learn and apply approved Hypertherm Powermax85 SYNC plasma cutting processes, including appropriate cartridge selection, amperage, cut parameters, pierce requirements, and material-specific settings.

• XR12 Drilling Operations: Set up and verify drilling operations performed on the XR12, including drill selection, hole requirements, appropriate drilling parameters, tool access, and operation sequencing.

• Robotic Welding Cell Support: Support setup and operation of automated robotic welding cells. Duties may include fixture setup, program verification, part loading, torch alignment, TCP (Tool Center Point) verification, weld parameter verification, and routine equipment checks. Robot-specific programming and setup procedures may be learned through training.

• Fixture Setup & Alignment: Set up, align, and secure machining fixtures, weldment fixtures, clamps, tooling, and workholding devices for CNC machining, robotic welding, manual welding, and fabrication operations.

• Fit-Up & Fabrication Support: Perform or assist with fit-up, alignment, tack welding, deburring, drilling, material preparation, and other fabrication activities as required. Verify that components are properly positioned before welding or subsequent processing.

• Troubleshooting: Diagnose and resolve routine machining and manufacturing problems, including tooling issues, dimensional variation, workholding problems, CNC program issues, plasma cut-quality problems, drilling issues, fixture problems, and minor robotic welding process interruptions.

• Preventive Maintenance: Perform routine operator-level inspection, cleaning, lubrication, and preventive maintenance on assigned manufacturing equipment in accordance with established procedures.

• Process Improvement: Work with Manufacturing Engineering and Engineering to improve CNC machining methods, tooling, fixtures, automated fabrication processes, weld sequences, material handling, cycle times, repeatability, and overall manufacturability.

• Documentation & Process Control: Follow released drawings, CNC programs, machine programs, work instructions, setup documentation, inspection requirements, and approved process parameters. Document first-part results, setup information, process problems, and recommended improvements as required.

Qualifications & Requirements

• CNC Machining Experience: Minimum 5 to 8 years of hands-on CNC machining experience, with significant experience setting up, programming, and operating CNC milling equipment.

• Haas Experience: Demonstrated experience with Haas CNC equipment is strongly preferred. Candidates should be comfortable independently setting up jobs, establishing work and tool offsets, loading and verifying programs, troubleshooting machining problems, and producing acceptable first parts.

• CNC Programming: Strong working knowledge of G-code and M-code and the ability to create, edit, understand, and troubleshoot CNC programs. Experience with conversational programming and CAM-generated programs is beneficial.

• Machining Knowledge: Strong understanding of cutting tools, tool holders, workholding, speeds and feeds, material removal, drilling, tapping, milling operations, tool wear, coolant application, and machining practices.

• Technical Skills: Demonstrated proficiency reading complex engineering drawings, dimensional tolerances, machining callouts, weld symbols, and GD&T.

• Precision Measurement: Proficiency using common precision inspection tools such as calipers, micrometers, indicators, gauges, squares, and other dimensional inspection equipment.

• Materials Knowledge: Experience machining or fabricating carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. Familiarity with plate, sheet, square and rectangular tube, round tube or pipe, angle, and channel is beneficial.

• Automated Equipment Aptitude: Ability and willingness to learn additional computer-controlled manufacturing equipment, including CNC tube processing, mechanized plasma cutting, drilling systems, and robotic welding cells.

• Computer & CAM Skills: Comfortable working with computer-based manufacturing software, machine controls, digital drawings, and electronic job files. Experience with CAM software or importing and processing CAD/STEP geometry is preferred.

• Robotics Familiarity: Previous experience with robotic welding or other industrial robotic systems is beneficial but not required. Experience with teach pendants, robot coordinate systems, TCP setup, weld schedules, or robotic path verification is a plus.

• Welding & Fabrication: Welding, fitting, tack welding, or general metal fabrication experience is beneficial. Formal welding certification is desirable but is not required unless necessary for specific assigned welding work.

• Problem Solving: Ability to independently diagnose manufacturing problems, determine appropriate corrective actions within assigned authority, and recognize when an engineering or quality issue requires escalation rather than an unauthorized change.

• Cross-Functional Capability: Willingness and ability to work across CNC machining, tube processing, automated welding, fabrication, inspection, equipment setup, and related manufacturing activities based on production needs.

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent required. Technical certification, apprenticeship, trade-school diploma, or other formal training in CNC machining, manufacturing technology, welding, robotics, or industrial automation is highly desirable.

• Physical Requirements: Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, stand for extended periods, safely handle and position materials using appropriate lifting equipment, and work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

ATSC is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite resumes from all interested parties including women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities.

Advance Technology Systems Company is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.