CNC Swiss Operator

CNC Swiss Lathe Machinist

Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Department: Manufacturing
Reports To: Production Supervisor / Cell Leader
Employment Type: Full-Time

Position Summary

CAD Enterprises is seeking an experienced CNC Swiss Lathe Machinist to operate and support CNC Swiss-type automatic lathes producing high-precision components for the aerospace and defense industries.

The CNC Swiss Lathe Machinist is responsible for safely and efficiently producing quality parts to customer specifications, engineering drawings, process documentation, and established inspection requirements. The ideal candidate has strong CNC machining fundamentals, understands Swiss-type machining processes, and is comfortable working with tight tolerances and a wide range of materials.

This position requires a quality-focused, detail-oriented machinist who can independently set up and operate Swiss CNC equipment, troubleshoot machining processes, make tool offsets and adjustments, and recognize opportunities to improve part quality, cycle time, and process stability.

Essential Responsibilities

CNC Swiss Lathe Operation & Setup

• Set up and operate CNC Swiss-type automatic lathes to produce precision components.
• Load and unload raw material, bar stock, tooling, guide bushings, collets, and workholding components.
• Install and set cutting tools, drills, inserts, guide bushings, and other tooling.
• Set tool geometry, wear offsets, work offsets, and other machine parameters.
• Make in-process adjustments to maintain dimensional requirements.
• Monitor machine operation, tooling condition, chip control, coolant condition, and overall process performance.
• Identify and correct common machining problems such as:
• Chatter and vibration
• Poor surface finish
• Tool wear or premature tool failure
• Chip control issues
• Burr formation
• Dimensional drift
• Workholding problems
• Material-related machining issues
• Perform tool changes and offsets as required to maintain production.
• Troubleshoot basic machine alarms and machining problems.
• Maintain clean and organized machines and work areas.

Blueprint & Process Interpretation

• Read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, work instructions, and process documentation.
• Understand and apply GD&T requirements.
• Identify critical, major, and minor characteristics.
• Understand dimensional tolerances, surface finishes, geometric tolerances, and material requirements.
• Follow customer-specific and CAD-specific quality requirements.
• Recognize discrepancies between drawings, tooling, programs, and actual production conditions and escalate as appropriate.

Inspection & Quality

• Perform first-piece, in-process, and final inspection as required.
• Use precision inspection equipment including:
• Micrometers
• Calipers
• Pin gauges
• Thread gauges
• Depth gauges
• Indicators
• Optical/vision inspection equipment
• Comparator equipment
• Other precision measurement equipment
• Verify critical dimensions and characteristics throughout production.
• Make appropriate machine/tool offsets based on inspection results.
• Complete required inspection documentation and production records.
• Support SPC and process-control activities.
• Identify and immediately communicate nonconforming product.
• Participate in root-cause analysis and corrective actions when machining or quality problems occur.

Materials

Machine a variety of aerospace and defense materials, including but not limited to:

• Stainless steels
• Nickel-based superalloys, including Inconel 718 and 625
• PH stainless steels such as 13-8PH and 15-5PH
• Titanium
• Aluminum
• Cobalt-based alloys
• High-temperature and difficult-to-machine materials

Develop an understanding of the appropriate tooling, speeds, feeds, coolant, and machining techniques required for different materials.

Production & Continuous Improvement

• Meet established production schedules and quality requirements.
• Monitor cycle times and identify opportunities to improve productivity.
• Reduce scrap, rework, tool consumption, and machine downtime.
• Participate in continuous improvement and Lean manufacturing activities.
• Provide feedback to programmers, engineers, supervisors, and cell leaders regarding machining processes.
• Assist with development and improvement of machining processes.
• Recommend improvements to tooling, workholding, cutting parameters, and machining methods.
• Maintain accurate production and downtime records.

Equipment & Workplace Responsibilities

• Perform routine operator-level maintenance and cleaning of CNC Swiss machines.
• Maintain proper coolant concentration and machine housekeeping.
• Monitor lubrication, coolant, chip handling, and other machine conditions.
• Report machine problems requiring maintenance or higher-level technical support.
• Properly handle chips, cutting fluids, oils, and other manufacturing materials.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area.

Qualifications

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 3 years of CNC Swiss machining experience; Citizen preferred
• Ability to independently operate CNC machinery.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and GD&T.
• Experience using precision inspection equipment.
• Basic understanding of cutting tools, speeds, feeds, workholding, and machining processes.
• Ability to make tool and dimensional offsets.
• Strong mechanical aptitude.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing quality parts.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a manufacturing team.
• Ability to follow written procedures and customer-specific requirements.

Preferred

• 3 years of CNC Swiss machining experience.
• Experience setting up CNC Swiss-type machines.
• Experience with Citizen, Star, Tsugami, Tornos, or similar Swiss CNC equipment.
• Experience with Fanuc, Mitsubishi, or other CNC controls.
• Experience machining aerospace and defense components.
• Experience machining nickel-based superalloys and other difficult-to-machine materials.
• Experience with live tooling and cross drilling/milling.
• Experience with sub-spindle operations.
• Experience with bar feeders and automatic material handling.
• Experience with Swiss-specific tooling and guide-bushing setup.
• Experience with Citizen, Star, Tsugami, or similar Swiss programming concepts.
• Experience with SPC and statistical process control.
• Experience working in an AS9100-certified manufacturing environment.
• Experience with CMM, optical comparator, vision systems, or other advanced inspection equipment.
• Experience with Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement methodologies.

Technical Skills

The successful candidate should have a working knowledge of:

• CNC Swiss-type machining
• Turning and boring
• Drilling and reaming
• Threading and tapping
• Grooving and cutoff
• Live tooling
• Cross drilling and milling
• Sub-spindle operations
• Tool selection and application
• Speeds and feeds
• Workholding and collet systems
• Guide-bushing selection and setup
• Coolant application and chip control
• Tool wear and tool-life management
• Precision measurement
• GD&T
• Blueprint interpretation
• SPC and process control

Safety & Compliance

• Follow all CAD safety policies and procedures.
• Follow applicable OSHA requirements and established machine safety practices.
• Properly use required PPE.
• Follow machine guarding and safety procedures.
• Follow lockout/tagout procedures when required.
• Maintain awareness of rotating equipment, cutting tools, chips, coolants, and other manufacturing hazards.
• Immediately report unsafe conditions or equipment issues.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during the workday.
• Ability to frequently bend, reach, stoop, and work around CNC machinery.
• Ability to lift and carry materials, tooling, fixtures, and parts weighing up to approximately 50 pounds.
• Ability to wear required PPE.
• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to machine noise, metal chips, coolants, lubricants, and varying temperatures.

Personal Characteristics

The ideal candidate is:

• Quality-driven — takes ownership of producing conforming parts.
• Mechanically inclined — understands how machines, tooling, materials, and processes interact.
• Detail-oriented — recognizes that small dimensional changes can have significant consequences in aerospace components.
• Self-motivated — capable of working productively with limited supervision.
• Problem-solving oriented — looks for the root cause rather than simply correcting the immediate symptom.
• Team-oriented — communicates effectively with operators, programmers, engineers, quality personnel, and supervisors.
• Continuous-improvement minded — looks for ways to make the process safer, faster, and more reliable.

Success in This Position

Success in this position will be measured by the machinist's ability to:

• Consistently produce quality parts to drawing and customer requirements.
• Maintain dimensional control throughout production runs.
• Safely and efficiently set up and operate Swiss CNC equipment.
• Minimize scrap, rework, and machine downtime.
• Recognize and correct machining problems quickly.
• Maintain tooling and equipment in good operating condition.
• Meet production requirements without compromising quality.
• Contribute ideas that improve machining processes, productivity, and quality.

Equal Opportunity Employer

CAD Enterprises is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value a diverse workforce and are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants.

ITAR / U.S. Person Requirement: This position may involve access to technical data and/or items subject to U.S. export-control regulations. Applicants must be eligible to access such information under applicable U.S. laws and regulations, which may require U.S. person status as defined by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $25.00 - $40.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• This is a full-time on-site position, not eligible for remote work. This position is not eligible for relocation reimbursement. Are you still interested in proceeding with this interview?
• This position requires access to information, or technology, which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. person as a (i) citizen or national of the United States; or (ii) a lawful permanent resident of the United States (i.e. “Green Card Holder”); or (iii) a person admitted to the United States as a refugee, or granted asylum, as specified under applicable law. Will you be able to demonstrate compliance with this requirement?

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• CNC Swiss: 3 years (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $25 - $40