1st Shift CNC Machinist Lead

Lead CNC Machinist — 1st Shift

Earn $40–$44 per hour while leading work that matters.

Ward Leonard, a Fairbanks Morse Defense company, is hiring an experienced, hands-on Lead CNC Machinist. This is a first-shift opportunity for a skilled machinist who wants excellent compensation, advanced equipment, challenging precision work, and a team that takes care of its people.

What We Offer

• $40–$45 per hour
• First-shift schedule
• Annual company performance-based bonus
• 100% tuition reimbursement
• 401(k) with a 6% employer match
• A strong safety culture where people genuinely look out for one another
• Occasional company lunches and employee-appreciation events
• A close-knit, family-style work environment
• Meaningful work supporting mission-critical defense applications

The Opportunity

This is not a desk job. You’ll lead from the shop floor—setting up and operating advanced CNC equipment, solving complex machining challenges, and helping other machinists sharpen their skills.

You’ll oversee and support the setup, programming, and operation of multi-axis CNC lathes, vertical turret lathes (VTLs), 5-axis mill-turn centers, and cylindrical grinding machines. You’ll work closely with engineering, programming, production, and quality to manufacture precision components accurately, safely, and on schedule.

We’re looking for someone who knows machining, respects the craft, and understands how to bring out the best in a team.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and mentor CNC machinists during daily shop-floor operations.
• Perform complex setups and operate multi-axis CNC lathes, VTLs, 5-axis mill-turn centers, and cylindrical grinders.
• Troubleshoot programs, tooling, workholding, offsets, and machining issues.
• Optimize CNC programs to improve cycle times, tool life, and part quality.
• Train machinists in G-code editing, tooling, workholding, offsets, grinding-wheel setup and balancing, and inspection techniques.
• Read and interpret blueprints, engineering drawings, work instructions, and GD&T requirements.
• Verify tight-tolerance parts using micrometers, bore gauges, touch probes, CMMs, and other inspection equipment.
• Monitor machining operations and make real-time adjustments to maintain part conformance and reduce downtime.
• Partner with engineering, programming, and quality teams to solve manufacturing challenges.
• Assign and prioritize work to meet production schedules and maximize machine utilization.
• Maintain accurate setup, tooling, maintenance, and production records.
• Support preventive maintenance and coordinate equipment repairs.
• Champion safety, organization, quality, and continuous improvement throughout the machining area.

What You Bring

• High school diploma or equivalent; technical certification or formal machining training is preferred.
• 7–10 years of experience setting up and operating multi-axis CNC machines in a precision manufacturing environment.
• Experience with VTLs and/or 5-axis mill-turn equipment.
• Shop-floor leadership experience with the ability to train, motivate, and guide other machinists.
• Advanced knowledge of GD&T, tight-tolerance machining, and inspection methods.
• Proficiency with manual inspection tools and automated measurement systems.
• Familiarity with FANUC, Siemens, or OSP/Okuma CNC controls is preferred.
• Experience in an ISO 9001 or defense-manufacturing environment is strongly preferred.
• Strong troubleshooting, organization, and communication skills.
• U.S. Person status, as required by applicable defense-contract regulations.

Working Environment

• Clean, well-maintained defense-manufacturing facility
• Standing for extended periods
• Ability to lift materials weighing up to 50 pounds
• Required PPE and strict adherence to safety procedures
• Occasional overtime or schedule flexibility based on production needs

If you’re an accomplished machinist who wants to lead from the floor, work with advanced equipment, and join a company where good people take care of one another, we want to hear from you.

Equal Opportunity Employer