CNC Lead Machinist (2nd Shift)

Company Description

Fort Walton Machining, Inc. was formed in 1987 as a specialized custom manufacturing operation, specifically to service Eglin Air Force Base and its prime contractors. It began as a small company with only two employees, but its mission—even then, as it remains today—was to provide highly technical, precision machining with zero defects, delivered on time, and to the complete satisfaction of its customers.

Commitment to that mission quickly earned the company a reputation for “walking the walk,” not just “talking the talk.” As evidence of this, Fort Walton Machining became a certified “Dock to Stock” supplier for one of its major customers as early as 1991.

Certified to AS9100 Quality Standards, as well as government and military standards such as MIL-I-45208A, the company played a significant role in the Air Force AMRAAM project from 1991 to 1993. The long-term vision was always to expand into commercial markets while continuing to serve the military and its prime contractors.

In early 1995, the company formed a business alliance with a major corporation in the medical industry, which led to additional business opportunities with partners in the British Isles and Japan. As a result of these diverse experiences, Fort Walton Machining has grown into an international service company, capable of supporting customers around the world.

Job Description

Fort Walton Machining is looking for an experienced Lead CNC Machinist. The ideal candidate will have 4+ years of experience. This position will train on 1st shift and will transfer to 2nd shift when ready.

Summary Manages/supervises the 2nd shift machine shop. Sets up and operates Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines and machining centers to fabricate metallic and nonmetallic parts.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities.

Manages the 2nd shift machine shop employees.

Studies blueprints, sketches, drawings, manuals, specifications, or sample part to determine dimensions and tolerances of finished work piece, sequence of operations, and setup requirements.

Measures, marks, and scribe’s dimensions and reference points on material or work piece as guides for subsequent machining.

Selects, aligns, and secures holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories, and materials on machines such as mills, lathes, jig borers, grinders, and shapers.

Calculates and sets controls to regulate machining factors such as speed, feed, coolant flow, and depth and angle of cut, or enters commands to retrieve, input, or edit computerized machine control media.

Starts and observes machine operation to detect malfunctions or out-of-tolerance machining and adjusts machine controls or control media as required.

Verifies conformance of finished work piece to specifications.

Sets up and operates machine on trial run to verify accuracy of machine settings or programmed control data.

Fits and assembles parts into complete assembly.

Verifies dimensions and alignment of assembly.

Confers with engineers, production personnel, programmers, or others to resolve machining or assembly problems.

Qualifications

Education and/or Experience

4+ years’ experience managing in CNC Machining in a job shop environment. High school diploma or general education degree (GED).

Management Skills

Motivate and lead a team of machinists, operators, and support staff. Set expectations and enforce standards for quality, productivity, and safety. Resolve interpersonal or performance issues swiftly. Clearly communicate instructions, updates, and shift handovers. Ensure team members understand job priorities and daily goals. Address production bottlenecks or machine breakdowns quickly. Troubleshoot scheduling, staffing, or quality issues in real time. Think critically and make sound decisions with limited supervision.

Safety Compliance

Enforce OSHA and company safety policies.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. Good working knowledge of geometrical dimensioning and tolerancing required and be able to work in both Metric and English units.

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should be able to make minor edits of CNC code at machine.

Other Skills and Abilities

Must be able to perform machine set-up of tools and offsets. Hold positional tolerances as a norm of .001”, be able to read and understand drawings; have good fundamentals of plate inspection layout; and use micrometers, depth gauges and calipers. Attention to Detail – Spot errors, missed steps, or unsafe practices.

Physical Demands

Regularly required to walk or stand, use hands or fingers to handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, or crawl, talk, and hear. Occasionally required to climb or balance. Regularly required to lift and/or move 20 pounds, frequently up to 50 pounds. Vision abilities include close, peripheral, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

This position will require about 10% travel ability to service our other plant in the area.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Fort Walton Machining, Inc. is a drug-free workplace. Testing for illegal drugs is required prior to hire and may be conducted periodically during employment.

Reasonable Accommodation: Fort Walton Machining, Inc. will provide reasonable accommodation to all applicants and employees. If you need an accommodation to complete the application process, please contact Dan Bowman at (850) 244-9095.

Equal Employment Opportunity: Fort Walton Machining, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, citizenship status, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status. We prohibit discrimination in all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, training, promotions, and termination.

We comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including but not limited to Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).