The Machinist III is responsible for operating, maintaining, and advancing BL41200’s machine shop capabilities. The position requires a highly motivated individual with technical aptitude, leadership potential, problem-solving skills, and a strong interest in learning and implementing advanced manufacturing technologies. The incumbent will work closely with engineers, technical personnel, and other machinists to support the development, prototyping, and production of ALRE and SE systems. This role includes leveraging hybrid additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, post-processing of additively manufactured parts, and maturing new manufacturing processes for prototyping and production.

This position is based in the Lakehurst, NJ area with the idea candidate within a 40-mile radius of the base. It requires four (4) days of on-site work, with ten (10)-hour workdays from Monday to Thursday. There is also the potential for overtime on Friday and Saturday, depending on the workload. 

Chickasaw Nation Industries, Inc. serves as a holding company with multiple subsidiaries engaged in several lines of business (Technology, Infrastructure & Engineering, Health, Manufacturing, Public Safety, Consulting, and Transportation) for the federal government and commercial enterprises. A portion of our profits is used to support Chickasaw citizens. We are proud to support the economic development and long-term viability of the Chickasaw Nation and its people. CNI offers premium benefits eligible on the first day of hire to full time employees; (Medical - Dental – Vision), Company Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance, 401(K) Immediate Vesting, Professional Development Assistance, Legal Aid Assistance Program, Family Planning / Fertility Assistance, Personal Time Off, and Observance of Federal Holidays.

As a federal contractor, CNI is a drug-free workplace and adheres to the Federal Controlled Substance Act.   

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to obtain and maintain the required customer clearance for access to systems, facilities, equipment and property. 

• Previous experience operating precision grinding machinery is preferred.

• High school diploma or General Education Degree (GED) and five (5) + years' experience with CNC set-up and operation at a level that would be obtained working in a machine shop and/or through a vocational school program.  

• Experience operating manual and CNC machines in a manufacturing environment.  This experience shall include the setting up of jobs including the selection and mounting of vises, selection of correct cutters, properly setting machine operating and feed speeds, and related tasks.   

• Experience performing CNC programming is preferred but not required.  

• Must have MasterCam experience.  

• Ability to operate heavy machinery from setup to operation to produce parts and tools from various metals, plastic, or other materials.  

• Ability to determine the type of tools and equipment needed to perform a job.  

• Ability to produce precision parts with close tolerances.  

• Strong understanding of Fanuc control systems  

• Understanding and programming skills of MasterCam  

• Ability to read and interpret drawings and prints.  

• Ability to operate equipment based on oral instructions.  

• Ability to use basic measuring tools to confirm work piece dimensions.  

• Sufficient math skills to calculate distances, angles, take-offs, etc. 

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential Duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned. 

• Operates computer numerical control machines to fabricate new and replacement parts for mechanical equipment.

• Plans machining by studying written instructions and specifications.  Interprets blueprints, drawings, manuals, specifications or sample parts to determine dimensions and tolerances of finished work pieces, sequence of operations and set up requirements.  Establishes dimensions and tolerances and lays out work accordingly. 

• Uses a variety of machinist hand tools and precision measuring instruments to set up and operate standard machine tools.

• Measures and marks dimensions and reference points on material or work pieces as a guide for subsequent machining.

• Aligns and secures holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories, and materials onto machines.

• Selects the appropriate tools, machines, and materials to be used in preparation of machinery work. 

• Monitors the feed and speed of machines during the machining process.  Machines parts to specifications using machine tools such as lathes, milling machines, shapers, or grinders.

• Sets up, adjusts, and operates all of the basic machine tools and many specialized or advanced variation tools to perform precision machining operations.

• Detects equipment malfunctions or out of tolerance machining and adjusts machine, within capabilities, controls or control media as required to ensure quality of productions.  Reports all machine malfunctions.

• May help to resolve machining or quality issues.

• Independently operate traditional and advanced subtractive manufacturing equipment, including but not limited to 5-axis CNC machines, CNC and manual mills, CNC and manual lathes, and Electrical Discharge Machines (EDM).

• Develop toolpath and digital manufacturing plans (i.e. g-code) using Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software such as Mastercam and maintain digital file traceability and configuration management of said files.

• Perform measurements and develop fixtures for shop use.

• Teams with the Research and Development (R&D) community to mature lower technology readiness level (TRL) manufacturing concepts, such as additive manufacturing and model-based definition (e.g., 3D PDFs).

• Thinks “outside the box” to develop manufacturing strategies for new processes.

• Independently operate AM equipment, including but not limited to Hybrid Wire-Arc AM (WAAM) Haas VF-5 CNC Integration, Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) AM, and/or Polymer Material Extrusion AM machines.

• Follow all safety guidelines and standard operating procedures to prepare AM builds.

• Ability to obtain operator certifications as required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

High school diploma or General Education Degree (GED) and five (5) + years experience with CNC set-up and operation at a level that would be obtained working in a machine shop and/or through a vocational school program.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work is primarily performed in a factory, machine shop or construction environment. Ability to move or transfer products and to lift up to 50 lbs., when required. While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The ability to verbally communicate alarms or warnings clearly, concisely, loudly and quickly, to clearly and quickly hear or otherwise sense alarms or warnings and take appropriate action. Frequently required to maintain equilibrium to prevent falling when moving, walking, standing, kneeling or crouching - particularly on narrow, uneven, irregular, slippery surfaces, going up or down ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles or other objects using hands, arms, feet or legs. Frequently required to bend the body downward and forward, bending leg and spine - working in a bent over position.  Frequently required to sense physical attributes such as size, shape, temperature, texture or sharpness of an object by touching. Frequently required to grasp, grip or apply pressure to an object with the fingers and palm, holding an object in the hand.  Frequently required to lift, raise or lower objects in a vertical direction, particularly heavy or bulky objects.  Moving objects backward, forward, in or out in a horizontal direction, particularly heavy or bulky objects.  Pulling, exerting a steady backward, downward, upward or outward force against an object - jerking, plucking, wrenching, stretching, towing, drawing, dragging or tugging objects in a sustained motion.  Pushing, pressing against something with steady forward, downward, upward or outward force - shoving, pushing, compressing, squeezing, mashing, packing, pressing, jamming, compacting, or squashing objects in a sustained motion. The ability to see and distinguish colors, to visually distinguish shapes and patterns, to accurately sense distances (depth perception), to accurately see objects and detect motion at wide angles (peripheral vision).  Frequently uses the lower extremities and back muscles and moving on foot, particularly for long distances. May have exposure to indoor/outdoor adverse weather conditions. Frequent exposure to noise - workers must wear protective hearing equipment or frequently shout in order to be heard above the ambient noise level.  Exposure to pollutants or allergens which can adversely affect the skin and/or the respiratory system such as gases, smoke, odors, mists, fumes, dust, chemicals, oils or solvents. Exposure to hazardous working conditions including moving machinery, electricity and/or working in high places. May be exposed to hot objects, flames or sparks. The job requires the use of protective equipment such as hard hats, respirators, aprons, gloves, special clothing, safety shoes and safety glasses.    

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform successfully the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

EOE including Disability/Vet

The estimated pay range for this role is $28.37 to $38.40, with the final offer contingent on location, skillset, and experience. 

CNI offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical

• Dental

• Vision

• 401(k)

• Family Planning/Fertility Assistance

• STD/LTD/Basic Life/AD&D

• Legal-Aid Program

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Paid Time Off (PTO) – (11) Federal Holidays

• Training and Development Opportunities

Your application submission will be considered for all potential employment opportunities with Chickasaw Nation Industries (CNI).

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