Entry Level Research Assistant Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

At a glance

Company: Metron Machining
Location: Lakewood, Colorado 80228
Pay: $18–$20/hr DOE
Job Type: Part-time with the potential to move into full-time employment
Schedule: Day shift • Four-day workweek • Flexible hours
Hours: Approximately 25–35 hours per week
Experience: Entry-level
Industries: Aerospace • Defense • Space • Energy

Why join Metron Machining?

The CNC Machine Shop Assistant is a flexible, entry-level position supporting different areas of Metron’s operation. You could help prepare parts for shipment, enter production information, answer incoming calls, organize the shop, assist with receiving, or handle another task that keeps the business moving.

This is a good opportunity for a student, early-career candidate, or someone interested in learning how a modern precision machining company operates. Previous CNC machining experience is not required.

You will work around experienced machinists, programmers, engineers, and company leadership while gaining exposure to manufacturing, administration, shipping, sales support, and production systems.

Metron offers a four-day day-shift schedule with flexible hours. The company is open to working around an appropriate school schedule. Candidates who perform well may have the opportunity to move into a full-time position with benefits after approximately 90 days.

⚙️ What you’ll be doing

This is a floating support role, so daily responsibilities will vary.

Shop support

• Help maintain a clean, safe, and organized machine shop
• Assist machinists with non-machining tasks
• Wash, package, label, and prepare finished parts
• Help with light assembly and laser engraving
• Support shipping and receiving
• Organize supplies, work areas, and incoming materials
• Help keep production areas ready for work

Office and administrative support

• Answer and direct incoming phone calls
• Greet visitors, customers, vendors, and delivery drivers
• Complete basic data entry accurately
• Assist with production information and ProShop ERP workflows
• Manage mail, packages, deliveries, and office logistics
• Help organize files and internal documentation

Business support

• Research potential customers and build lead lists
• Update CRM information
• Assist with customer follow-up
• Help with company social media, photos, videos, and employee features
• Support special projects and internal process improvements
• Create or update basic instructions and SOPs

The exact mix of responsibilities may change based on the shop’s needs and your developing skills.

⭐ Shop highlights

• Four-day workweek
• Flexible daytime hours
• Potential fit for someone attending school
• No previous CNC machining experience required
• Exposure to multiple areas of a growing manufacturing company
• Work directly with machinists, engineers, programmers, and leadership
• Learn manufacturing and ERP systems
• Aerospace, defense, space, and energy work
• Opportunity to take on more responsibility
• Potential move to full-time employment after 90 days

✅ What we’re looking for

Required

• Reliable and ready to work
• Comfortable handling a mix of physical and administrative tasks
• Willing to clean and help maintain an organized shop
• Basic computer and data-entry skills
• Professional phone and in-person communication
• Ability to follow instructions and complete tasks accurately
• Willingness to learn unfamiliar processes
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to recognize what needs to be done and take initiative
• Eligibility to work in the United States

Preferred

• Student or early-career candidate interested in manufacturing, operations, business, or administration
• Experience with Microsoft Office, data entry, CRM, or ERP software
• Shipping, receiving, warehouse, or shop experience
• Interest in social media, photography, or basic video content
• Mechanical aptitude or an interest in CNC manufacturing

Why you’ll like working here

This is not a narrowly defined desk job. You will learn how parts, information, customers, and production priorities move through an actual CNC machine shop.

The variety makes it a strong starting point for someone who is still figuring out whether they want to pursue manufacturing, operations, engineering, project management, sales, or business administration.

People who show initiative, follow through, and learn quickly will have opportunities to take on more meaningful responsibilities as the company grows.

Pay, benefits & schedule

Pay: $18–$20/hr DOE

Schedule

• Four-day workweek
• Day-shift hours
• Approximately 25–35 hours per week
• Flexible scheduling within the company’s operating needs
• Metron may be able to accommodate an appropriate school schedule

After approximately 90 days, the position may have the opportunity to move to full-time employment with benefits. Eligibility and benefit availability are subject to company policy and the employee’s status.

Full-time benefits may include:

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid time off
• Separate Colorado paid sick leave
• Seven paid holidays
• Qualifying safety-footwear reimbursement

About Metron Machining

Metron Machining is a precision CNC manufacturer located in Lakewood, Colorado. The company produces complex, tight-tolerance components for aerospace, defense, space, and energy programs.

Its operation includes advanced multi-axis and 5-axis CNC milling, Mastercam programming, in-process probing, CMM inspection, documented first-article inspection, and complete material traceability.

Metron’s culture emphasizes organization, clear communication, disciplined systems, and personal accountability. The team works with “calm urgency”—responding quickly without creating unnecessary chaos or sacrificing quality.

The CNC Machine Shop Assistant helps give machinists, engineers, and leadership more time to focus on high-value work. By taking ownership of essential support tasks, this person contributes directly to shop productivity, customer service, and the company’s continued growth.

Apply today

If you are reliable, organized, comfortable helping wherever needed, and interested in learning how a precision manufacturing company operates, apply today through hireCNC.