Apprentice Cnc Operator Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Company: PARADORN, LLC
Location: White Plains, Maryland
Department: Manufacturing
Reports To: Manufacturing Lead
Position Type: Full-Time or Part-Time, On-Site
FLSA: Nonexempt
Pay Range: $32 – $50 per hour, based on experience and demonstrated capability
Benefits: Benefits are available for full-time employees and may be prorated for eligible part-time employees.

PARADORN is seeking an experienced Senior CNC Machinist / Programmer to support precision prototype and small batch manufacturing work for defense, aerospace, and industrial customers.

This role is responsible for setting up, operating, troubleshooting, inspecting, and completing CNC machining work in a high-standard, detail-oriented environment. The ideal candidate has strong CNC mill and/or CNC lathe experience, with preference for someone comfortable on both.

The Senior CNC Machinist / Programmer is expected to take ownership of complex work, think through setup and machining strategy, communicate risks early, and help deliver clean, reliable parts on predictable schedules.

• Set up and operate CNC mills and/or CNC lathes.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings, tolerances, notes, and GD&T requirements.
• Review job requirements and determine machining approach, tooling, workholding, and setup strategy.
• Support or perform CNC programming/CAM work.
• Program at the control as needed to build fixtures, make adjustments, or edit CAM-generated programs.
• Perform first article and in-process inspection using appropriate metrology tools.
• Verify parts to print and document inspection results as required.
• Troubleshoot offsets, tool wear, chatter, workholding issues, cycle problems, surface finish concerns, and dimensional variation.
• Maintain accurate travelers, inspection notes, setup information, and job records.
• Communicate schedule, technical, material, tooling, and quality concerns early.
• Support continuous improvement in machining methods, tooling, inspection, documentation, and shop organization.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work area.
• Follow company policies related to safety, confidentiality, controlled information, documentation, and quality.
• Provide technical guidance, training, and mentorship to junior machinists, apprentices, interns, or other team members as needed.

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 3–5+ years of CNC machining experience.
• Proficient in the independent setup and operation of commercial-grade CNC mills, CNC lathes, or both.
• For milling: experience with fixturing, including vises, sub-plates, tooling, and fixture offsets.
• For turning: experience with workholding, tooling, offsets, and setup strategy.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and inspect work to print.
• Ability to maintain dimensional accuracy to specified tolerances, including tolerances that may be less than +/- 0.001".
• Experience using common inspection tools such as calipers, micrometers, indicators, height gauges, gauge pins, thread gauges, and related metrology equipment.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

• Experience with both CNC milling and CNC turning.
• CNC lathe live tooling experience.
• CAD/CAM or CNC programming experience.
• Experience in prototype machining, job shop work, low-volume production, defense manufacturing, aerospace manufacturing, or industrial manufacturing.
• Experience machining aluminum, steels, stainless steels, brass, and engineered plastics.
• Experience mentoring junior machinists, apprentices, or less-experienced team members.

• Must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen where required by customer, contractual, or regulatory obligations.
• Must be able to work on-site in White Plains, Maryland.
• Must be willing to complete a hands-on technical portion as part of the interview process.
• Must be able to comply with company policies related to confidentiality, controlled information, safety, quality, and documentation.
• Background check and drug screening are required as a condition of employment, subject to applicable law.

This position may be full-time or part-time depending on candidate fit and business needs. Typical work hours are Monday through Friday, generally during standard daytime shop hours. Specific schedule will be determined at the time of hire.

Overtime may be available or required based on workload, schedule commitments, and business needs. Nonexempt employees are eligible for overtime in accordance with applicable law and company policy.

Pay is based on experience and demonstrated capability, with compensation reviewed annually as part of PARADORN’s performance and growth process.

PARADORN offers eligible employees a benefits package that may include health insurance with employer contribution, sick leave, paid time off, and retirement plan participation with employer match. Benefits eligibility and amounts may vary based on full-time or part-time status and will be provided in accordance with company policy and applicable law.

This position operates in a machine shop and prototype manufacturing environment. The employee may work around CNC machines, manual tools, inspection equipment, cutting tools, coolant, metal chips, raw materials, finished parts, computers, and shop documentation. The work environment may include moderate to high noise levels, moving equipment, sharp tooling, and exposure to normal manufacturing conditions.

Personal protective equipment may be required, including safety glasses, appropriate footwear, hearing protection, and other PPE as directed.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to stand and walk for extended periods; use hands and fingers to handle tools, parts, materials, and inspection equipment; reach, bend, lift, carry, push, pull, and position materials or workpieces; read drawings, screens, measuring tools, and detailed documentation; and lift up to 50 lbs. with or without reasonable accommodation.

Travel is not expected for this position, except for limited local travel that may occasionally be required for training, vendor coordination, customer support, or business needs. Overnight travel is not expected.

Qualified candidates may be invited to participate in an initial conversation, in-person interview, shop tour, and hands-on technical evaluation. The hands-on portion may include drawing review, measurement, setup discussion, tooling/process planning, inspection activities, and/or machine-related problem solving.

PARADORN, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, business needs, and job-related requirements. PARADORN does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Applications are managed through Gusto so we can keep the hiring process organized and consistent. If you have any questions about the role or application process, please contact us at contact@paradorn.us.