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CNC LEVEL 3 MACHINIST / SHOP FOREMAN

Atascadero, California | On-site | Direct Hire

The Opportunity

Our client is a growing precision machining company specializing in custom components produced with advanced CNC technology. The company is committed to quality craftsmanship, dependable delivery, continuous improvement, and solving challenging manufacturing problems.

This is a confidential search. The company’s identity and additional details will be shared with qualified candidates during the interview process.

Position Summary

Our client is seeking a CNC Level 3 Machinist / Shop Foreman who can serve as both a hands-on senior machinist and a working floor lead.

The successful candidate will be able to take moderately challenging lathe or mill work from an engineering print through a completed, conforming part with minimal handholding. This includes process planning, programming, setup, machining, inspection, and troubleshooting.

This is not a primarily administrative management position. You will remain actively involved on the shop floor while providing day-to-day technical guidance to less experienced machinists. The position reports to the Production Manager.

Why Join This Team

• Work on a varied mix of parts and new setups where machining judgment and creativity matter.
• Serve as a hands-on technical resource and practical leader for the CNC team.
• Make a visible impact on quality, delivery, process improvement, and team performance.
• Work with a hands-on leadership team committed to quality and continuous improvement.
• Continue developing your skills through challenging setups, multi-axis machining, troubleshooting, and mentorship.

What You Will Do

• Take moderately challenging jobs from engineering print to completed, conforming part with minimal direction.
• Plan machining sequences, select tooling and workholding, secure material, and establish work and tool offsets.
• Create, edit, and safely prove out CNC programs.
• Refine toolpaths, speeds, and feeds to improve quality, efficiency, tool life, and process stability.
• Set up and operate CNC lathes or mills, including multi-axis work when applicable.
• Diagnose and correct tool wear, chatter, surface-finish problems, tolerance deviations, and other machining issues.
• Own first-article and in-process inspections using standard precision measuring instruments.
• Verify parts meet print requirements before they are released to final Quality Assurance.
• Interpret engineering drawings, dimensions, tolerances, and applicable GD&T requirements.
• Coordinate with Quality Assurance on advanced GD&T or inspection requirements.
• Document setup details, tooling changes, and process notes in the company’s ERP/MES system.
• Coordinate daily shop-floor priorities and escalate scheduling or resource conflicts to the Production Manager.
• Recommend tooling, workholding, fixture, and process improvements that increase efficiency and repeatability.
• Train, mentor, and review Level 1 and Level 2 machinists in safe setup, inspection, and troubleshooting practices.

What We're Looking For

• Setup experience comparable to 100+ successful, distinct CNC setups across varied parts, materials, and operations. Demonstrated capability matters more than a specific number of years in the industry.
• Advanced proficiency with at least one CNC control platform and practical experience with at least one additional control.
• Ability to recognize common CNC principles and transfer your knowledge quickly between different machines and controls.
• Strong knowledge of workholding methods, including soft jaws, custom fixtures, and live tooling.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, dimensions, tolerances, work orders, and setup documentation.
• Ability to select tooling, adjust speeds and feeds, edit and prove out G-code, and carry a part through first article.
• Ability to solve machining problems independently while maintaining high standards for quality and efficiency.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to train, guide, and collaborate with other team members.
• High school diploma or equivalent.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within a manufacturing ERP or MES system.
• Working knowledge of GD&T beyond basic drawing interpretation, including its application during setup and inspection.
• Technical training, CNC certification, advanced machining coursework, or completion of a recognized machining apprenticeship.

Work Environment/Schedule

• Full-time, hourly, onsite position.
• Typical schedule is Monday-Friday, approximately 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Hours may vary based on production needs.
• Industrial machine-shop environment with machining noise, moving equipment, and metalworking materials.
• The shop is temperature controlled 24/7.

Compensation & Benefits

• $42.00-$65.00 per hour, based on demonstrated skills and experience.
• 80 hours of paid time off annually.
• 40 hours of paid sick leave annually.
• Recognized company holidays.
• Opportunities for advancement and continued skill development.
• Eligibility and waiting periods are based on company policy.

About United Staffing Associates

United Staffing Associates is a professional search and staffing firm partnering with organizations to identify talented professionals for critical roles. We are conducting this search on behalf of our client and will facilitate the recruitment process from initial consideration through the hiring process. The identity of the hiring company will remain confidential during the initial stages of the recruitment process.