5-Axis CNC Machine Operator – Die Casting Tooling
$88,400,000–$88,400,000 year
On-siteShelbyville, Kentucky, United States
Job Summary
Set up and operate 5-axis CNC milling machines to machine die casting dies, cavities, cores, inserts, slides, and other tooling components from tool steels and other materials. Load, verify, and run CNC programs; make approved offsets, tool-length adjustments, and minor program edits as needed to maintain part quality. Install and indicate fixtures, vises, pallets, workholding, cutting tools, probes, and tooling assemblies. Select and install appropriate cutting tools, inserts, holders, and workholding based on material, machining operation, geometry, and required surface finish. Read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, setup sheets, tooling drawings, work instructions, and inspection requirements. Verify part dimensions using precision measuring equipment such as micrometers, calipers, height gages, bore gages, indicators, thread gages, CMMs, and optical or probing systems. Perform in-process inspections and document results in accordance with quality procedures. Monitor machining cycles for tool wear, vibration, coolant flow, chip control, machine alarms, and other conditions that may affect quality or equipment performance. Identify machining defects or nonconforming conditions; stop work when necessary and promptly notify the supervisor, programmer, or quality representative. Perform routine machine maintenance, including cleaning, lubrication checks, coolant checks, chip removal, and basic preventative-maintenance activities. Maintain an organized, clean, and safe work area in accordance with 5S, housekeeping, and plant safety requirements. Support die maintenance, repair, tryout, engineering changes, and continuous-improvement activities as workload requires. Communicate clearly with CNC programmers, toolmakers, quality personnel, maintenance, and supervisors regarding job status, tooling needs, quality concerns, and equipment issues. Follow all company policies, safety procedures, lockout/tagout requirements, PPE requirements, and environmental practices. May require overtime, weekend work, or shift flexibility to support production schedules, urgent die repairs, and tooling launches.
Required Qualifications
- High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
- Four or more years of CNC machining experience, preferably operating multi-axis CNC milling equipment.
- Experience with 5-axis CNC machining in a toolroom, mold-making, die-making, aerospace, automotive, or similarly high-precision manufacturing environment.
- Ability to read and interpret detailed blueprints, models, process sheets, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing requirements.
- Working knowledge of CNC controls such as Fanuc, Heidenhain, Siemens, Mazak, Haas, Okuma, or comparable systems.
- Experience using precision measurement tools and performing dimensional inspection.
- Knowledge of cutting tools, feeds, and speeds, workholding methods, machining fundamentals, and tool wear management.
- Ability to safely lift, position, and secure tooling and workpieces using approved lifting devices and material-handling equipment.
- Strong attention to detail, critical thinking skills, and commitment to quality.
- Ability to lift up to 40 pounds regularly and heavier items with approved lifting equipment.
- Required use of personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, steel-toe footwear, hearing protection, gloves as appropriate, and other PPE required by the task.
- May require overtime, weekend work, or shift flexibility to support production schedules, urgent die repairs, and tooling launches.
Desired Qualifications
- Completion of a CNC machining, tool-and-die, manufacturing technology, or related apprenticeship/trade program.
- Experience machining die casting dies, molds, cavities, cores, slides, and hardened tool steels.
- Familiarity with CAM software and ability to understand CAM setup sheets and toolpaths.
- Experience with probing systems, palletized machining, high-speed machining, and complex 3D contouring.
- Experience with CMM inspection or machine-tool probing.
- Forklift, crane, or overhead-hoist certification.
- Knowledge of lean manufacturing, 5S, and continuous-improvement practices.
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