Pay: $40.00 - $48.00 per hour
Job description:
Large Part Machining | Horizontal Boring Mills | Custom Fixturing | CNC Programming
Location: Elk Grove, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Pay Range: $40-48 per hour (DOE)
PLEASE READ BEFORE APPLYING
This is not a production CNC operator role.
If your experience is primarily:
- Running existing programs
- Small vertical mills only
- High-volume or repetitive production work
This position will not be a fit.
This role is for a Senior Machinist (Machinist III) with hands-on experience programming, setting up, and machining large custom parts on Horizontal Boring Mills, including custom fixturing and overhead crane handling.
Applicants without real large-part HBM experience and CNC programming capability will be screened out.
Position Overview
We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Machinist (Machinist III) to support large, complex, one-off machining work. This position requires the ability to program, plan, fixture, set up, and machine large parts independently, with minimal supervision.
You will also serve as a technical leader, supporting less experienced machinists and contributing to tooling, cutter selection, and process decisions for future work.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE (NON-NEGOTIABLE)
Applicants must clearly demonstrate experience in most of the following areas:
- CNC programming experience (Mastercam or similar CAM software)
- Setup and operation of Horizontal Boring Mills (HBM)
- Machining large parts and large weldments
- Designing and building custom fixturing
- Safe rigging and handling of large parts using overhead cranes
- Advanced blueprint reading and GD&T interpretation
- Machining stainless steel and structural / specialty alloys
- Independently owning jobs from programming through completion
- Working with minimal supervision in a custom job-shop environment
Resumes that do not clearly show CNC programming + HBM + large-part experience will be screened out.
Key Responsibilities
CNC Programming & Machining
- Program complex parts using Mastercam or similar CAM software
- Set up and operate Horizontal Boring Mills
- Machine large, heavy, irregular, high-value components
- Develop efficient machining strategies for one-off and short-run work
- Hold tight tolerances on distortion-prone parts
- Perform first-article and in-process inspections
Custom Fixturing & Job Planning
- Design, fabricate, and modify custom fixtures
- Plan setups considering load paths, deflection, and thermal movement
- Troubleshoot machining, alignment, vibration, and access challenges
- Support manufacturability and continuous improvement efforts
Crane & Large-Part Handling
- Safely rig, lift, rotate, and position large components
- Execute multi-step setups involving overhead crane repositioning
- Understand center of gravity, load limits, and safe handling practices
Technical Leadership
- Act as a senior technical resource on the shop floor
- Mentor Machinist I & II team members
- Recommend machining approaches and best practices
- Assist with tooling, cutter, and fixturing selection
- Provide input for ordering specialty tools and cutters for upcoming jobs
What This Role Is (And Is Not)
CNC programming + machining ownership
Large-scale, custom, one-off work
High-skill, high-trust environment
Technical influence and autonomy
❌ Production machining
❌ Button-pushing or operator-only roles
❌ Small-part-only CNC work
Compensation
$40-48 per hour (DOE)
Pay reflects:
- Senior-level programming and machining skill
- Large HBM and crane responsibility
- High-risk, high-value custom machining environment
Ideal Candidate Self-Check
You are likely a strong fit if:
- You program your own parts, not just run them
- You've spent years on boring mills, not just VMCs
- You design fixtures instead of waiting for them
- You plan complete jobs before cutting material
- You are comfortable handling very large parts safely
- You prefer complex, custom machining over repetition
How to Apply (Important)
Your resume must clearly state:
- CNC programming experience (CAM software used)
- Horizontal boring mills operated
- Largest parts you've machined
- Fixturing and setup responsibility
- Crane or rigging experience
Applications missing this information will be screened out.
Search Keywords (Do Not Remove)
Senior Machinist, Machinist III, CNC Programmer Machinist, Mastercam, Horizontal Boring Mill, HBM Machinist, Large Part Machining, Custom Fixturing, Overhead Crane, Large Weldments, Heavy Machining, One-Off Machining, Prototype Machinist, Lead Machinist, Master Machinist, Semi-Retired Machinist
Optional Note to Candidates
This role may be well-suited for experienced or semi-retired machinists who enjoy hands-on CNC programming and large-part machining without the pressure of production quotas.
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) 6% Match
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- CNC programming experience (Mastercam or similar CAM software)?
- Setup and operation of Horizontal Boring Mills (HBM)?
- Machining large parts and large weldments?
- Designing and building custom fixturing?
- Safe rigging and handling of large parts using overhead cranes?
- Advanced blueprint reading and GD&T interpretation?
- Machining stainless steel and structural / specialty alloys?
Work Location: In person
Pay Range: $40 - $48 per hour
