Head Machinist

Position: Head Machinist

Location: Portland, Oregon

Company: Paladin Engineering

Employment Type: Full-Time, On-site

About Paladin Engineering

Paladin Engineering is a Portland-based engineering and product development company specializing in precision mechanical systems. Our bike brand, Paladin Bikes, produces high-performance machined mountain bikes and components. We combine advanced machining, innovative design, and meticulous craftsmanship to deliver machines and mountain bikes that perform at the highest level.

We are seeking a Head Machinist to own the fabrication of our bike parts, from prototype through production, and support our engineering projects in robotics and other industries. This is a hands-on machinist role focused on CAM and producing complex, multi-axis components from one-off applications to small batch production. Strong CAD skills and leadership experience are a major plus to support our team growth and expansion of our capabilities. 

Responsibilities

Machining & Production

• Program, set up, and operate multi-axis CNC mills and lathes for bike components.
• Interpret 3D CAD models and technical drawings to produce complex, tight-tolerance parts.
• Select tooling and fixtures to optimize part quality and machining efficiency.
• Maintain process and inspection standards.
• Maintain a well-organized shop environment including equipment, tooling and materials inventories. 
• Support assembly of bike frames and other machines as needed.
• Support the selection of new machining centers as our company grows.

CAD & Design Support

• Collaborate with engineers to optimize DFM and other engineering objectives.
• Create and maintain fixture CAD models and documentation as necessary for production. 
• Sufficient skills to adjust and maintain bike and engineering component CAD are a plus. 

Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead machining operations and coordinate work with junior machinists and technicians.
• Mentor team members in advanced machining techniques and best practices.
• Contribute to continuous improvement in workflows, setups, and part quality.
• Sufficient leadership aptitude to advance into a production manager role is a plus.

Qualifications

• 7 years of machining experience with 3 years of experience programming for multi-axis mills.
• Aptitude for programming and fixture design for complex geometries.
• Strong understanding of GD&T, tolerances, and precision measurement.
• Experience in prototype or low-volume production environments.
• Leadership or mentoring experience is highly desirable.
• Extensive CAD experience is highly desirable.
• Stoke for mountain bikes is a plus. 

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive pay based on experience.
• Tight-knit, collaborative, and hands-on work environment.
• Opportunities for professional growth and advanced machining projects.
• Health insurance, paid time off and company holidays.

Please submit a pdf portfolio with images of your work. Personal projects welcome. We appreciate skill and craft in many fields.