CNC Turning Set Up Machinist 1 in Elk Grove Village, Illinois at ERA Industries

Position Summary

The Turning Set Up Machinist 1 prepares, sets up, verifies, and proves out released CNC turning processes for safe and repeatable production of precision components. The role installs approved tooling and workholding, establishes and verifies machine settings, produces and measures first pieces, and provides operators with documented production-ready setups.

This Level 1 position performs established and repeat setups with guidance from experienced setup personnel, follows verified instructions, and builds the capability required for independent assignments.

The role operates within approved manufacturing programs, routers, and technical instructions, coordinating with Production, CNC Programming, Process Engineering, and Quality. Process Engineering controls manufacturing methods and programmed changes; Quality retains product acceptance authority.

Key Responsibilities

1. Work Order Review & Setup Readiness

•Review current part drawings, revisions, travelers, setup sheets, work instructions, released CNC programs, and applicable inspection requirements before setup.

•Verify material identification, stock dimensions, part traceability, required quantities, and available equipment and tooling.

•Confirm approved process sequence, setup requirements, and first-piece verification points with the responsible supervisor or engineering resource.

•Identify missing documentation, incorrect material, tooling shortages, or setup constraints before beginning work and escalate readiness risks.

2. Tooling, Workholding & Machine Setup

•Install and secure chucks, collets, soft jaws, workholding components, turning tools, boring bars, drills, and related tooling per released setup instructions.

•Establish and verify part datums, tool geometry and wear offsets, tool centerline, work offsets, part gripping, and tool-to-chuck clearances.

•Confirm chuck or collet security, spindle clearances, bar stock support, tailstock or steady-rest condition, and applicable machine travel before approved prove-out.

•Inspect and prepare turning inserts, boring bars, drills, live-tool holders, chucks, collets, jaws, and tool-setting equipment; replace worn items or request assistance where required.

3. Controlled Program Prove-Out & First-Piece Verification

•Load and verify the released CNC program, correct revision, approved tool data, machine offsets, and setup-specific instructions before machine movement.

•Conduct controlled dry-run and initial cutting activities using appropriate safeguards, feed control, collision awareness, and close machine observation.

•Produce and inspect first pieces for diameters, lengths, bores, threads, concentricity, runout, and other specified dimensional or GD&T characteristics using required instruments and inspection methods.

•Document required results and obtain applicable Quality acceptance before releasing the setup for routine production; contain any suspect output.

4. Production Handoff & Process Stability

•Provide operators with a complete and clearly documented setup, tool information, operating limits, expected cycle behavior, and required in-process checks.

•Explain known setup sensitivities, tool-wear controls, loading methods, and material or part-handling precautions to assigned operators.

•Support initial production to confirm repeatability, dimensional stability, safe cutting conditions, and proper job documentation.

•Coordinate with the supervisor and Production Control when setup readiness, equipment condition, or technical issues affect production start or schedule performance.

5. Troubleshooting & Approved Improvements

•Investigate setup concerns involving tool-to-chuck interference, incorrect jaw gripping, bar-feed issues, spindle or turret clearance, tool-nose offsets, or unstable turning cuts, abnormal measurements, or other production instability.

•Correct tool changes, approved offset adjustments, and other setup conditions only within established methods and delegated authority.

•Coordinate with CNC Programmers and Process Engineering when program logic, tooling strategy, workholding design, or controlled process changes are required.

•Recommend practical improvements to repeat setup time, tool preparation, documentation, and first-pass performance through the appropriate approval process.

6. Documentation, Training & Safe Execution

•Record setup adjustments, tool information, first-piece measurements, work-order activity, and outstanding issues accurately in required systems and documents.

•Maintain clean and organized setup areas, safe workholding, proper tooling storage, and disciplined part and material traceability.

•Follow machine safety, PPE, lockout/tagout, material-handling, and other applicable company requirements; do not bypass safeguards.

•Perform repeat-job setup tasks with guidance and obtain verification of critical offsets, workholding, clearances, and first-piece results before handoff.

•Escalate uncertain measurements, unfamiliar machine conditions, tooling discrepancies, or unexplained alarms rather than proceeding beyond demonstrated qualifications.

Execution Authority

The Turning Set Up Machinist 1 is authorized to:

•Set up qualified equipment and complete controlled prove-out under released technical requirements and approved production instructions.

•Stop setup or production and contain affected material when machine safety, workholding integrity, clearances, or part conformance are uncertain.

•Perform qualified setup adjustments, dimensional checks, operator handoff, and required documentation within established limits.

•Perform assigned repeat setups and related adjustments only within demonstrated qualifications and approved instruction.

•Request verification from qualified setup personnel or the supervisor before proceeding with uncertain setup or prove-out conditions.

The Turning Set Up Machinist 1 does not have authority to:

•Create or independently revise released CNC programs, postprocessors, controlled manufacturing processes, routers, or fixtures without required Process Engineering approval.

•Waive first-piece verification, inspection, customer requirements, or Quality acceptance, or independently disposition nonconforming product.

•Operate outside documented qualifications, bypass machine safety devices, or introduce unapproved tools, workholding, or material substitutions.

•Independently change the approved production schedule, commit customer delivery dates, or direct personnel outside assigned supervisory authority.

Standard Role Disclaimer

This position involves access to export-controlled information and/or items. To be eligible, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States and must be able to perform all job duties in compliance with U.S. export control laws and regulations.

This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the responsibilities and qualifications associated with this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or working conditions. Responsibilities and duties may change at any time based on business needs, and the employee may be required to perform other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

•High school diploma or equivalent preferred; machining apprenticeship, technical coursework, or equivalent on-the-job training helpful.

•Typically 1+ year of CNC machining experience or relevant technical training, with developing setup proficiency.

•Basic ability to interpret part drawings, setup sheets, tolerances, and relevant GD&T requirements.

•Working knowledge of machine controls, tooling, workholding, machine offsets, and first-piece checks appropriate to assigned machines.

•Ability to use calipers, micrometers, indicators, and other appropriate dimensional measuring instruments.

•Demonstrated attention to safe machine operation, accurate documentation, coaching, and appropriate escalation.

•Experience with CNC turning equipment and related tooling, workholding, and setup methods and ERP or electronic work-order documentation preferred.

•Aerospace, defense, or other precision manufacturing experience with disciplined traceability and documentation requirements preferred.

Physical and Work Requirements

•Ability to perform essential duties with or without reasonable accommodation in an active precision-manufacturing environment.

•Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and frequently bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, and perform detailed hands-on setup work.

•Ability to lift, carry, push, or move tools, fixtures, parts, and materials weighing up to 50 pounds, using team lifting or material-handling equipment when appropriate.

•Ability to safely use ladders, machine-access platforms, hand tools, hoists, and other equipment when trained and authorized.

•Ability to perform precision handwork and visually assess machine clearances, tool condition, setup alignment, and measurement results.

•Regular exposure to operating machinery, moving components, metal chips, coolants, lubricants, noise, and temperature variation; required PPE must be worn.

•Ability to work assigned shifts, overtime, weekends, or additional hours when required by production, prove-out, or operating needs.