Lead CNC Machinist

Precision. Pride. Performance.

At Applied Aerospace & Defense, we manufacture complex aerospace and defense products where precision matters. But what we build is only part of who we are. How we work matters just as much.

We're looking for an experienced Lead CNC Machinist who knows how to make difficult parts—and knows how to help other machinists get better at making them too.

This is not a desk-based leadership position. It's a hands-on working Lead role for someone who wants to stay connected to the machines while becoming a technical leader within our Machine Shop.

Benefits | What we offer.

At Applied Aerospace and Defense in White Salmon we value a balanced work/life culture:

You'll:

• work a 4-day work week - Four 10 Hour shifts (Monday thru Thursday) - we will work the occasional Friday or Weekends when production requires it, but we do everything we can to give people time to enjoy the PNW!
• Full Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance. 
• PTO Accrual up to 120 hours. 
• 10 Paid Holidays
• Ancillary benefits: Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, Critical Care, Identity Theft and Legal Insurance.

Our Culture | Precision. Pride. Performance.

PRECISION means doing the work right. We pay attention to the details, understand the requirements, solve problems, and don't accept "close enough" when our customers are counting on us.

PRIDE means ownership. We care about the quality of our work, our workplace, and the people beside us. We help each other succeed, speak up when something isn't right, and take responsibility for the part we play.

PERFORMANCE means delivering results and continuing to get better. We solve problems instead of working around them, look for better ways to do the job, and understand that individual excellence matters most when it makes the entire team stronger.

For a Lead CNC Machinist, those aren't just words on a wall. We expect you to model them.

PRECISION | Make It Right.

You'll set up and operate CNC equipment to manufacture complex aerospace components, tooling, and fixtures to demanding specifications.

You'll:

• Perform complex CNC setups and machining operations.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and GD&T.
• Determine tooling, workholding, machining sequences, and setup strategies.
• Support program prove-out and first-part production.
• Perform precision measurements and verify dimensional conformance.
• Troubleshoot tooling, setup, dimensional, and machining problems.
• Work closely with CNC Programming, Engineering, and Quality to solve difficult manufacturing challenges.

PRIDE | Lead from the Machine.

Great machinists develop more than parts—they develop other machinists.

As our Lead CNC Machinist, you'll:

• Serve as a technical resource for the Machine Shop.
• Help coordinate daily machining priorities.
• Train and mentor less-experienced machinists.
• Support difficult setups and troubleshooting.
• Share machining knowledge and proven practices.
• Help establish expectations for craftsmanship, quality, safety, and accountability.
• Lead through your technical ability, judgment, consistency, and example.

PERFORMANCE | Make the Shop Better.

We aren't looking for someone who is satisfied because "that's how we've always done it."

You'll help us:

• Reduce setup and cycle time.
• Improve machine utilization.
• Reduce scrap and rework.
• Improve tooling and workholding.
• Solve recurring machining problems.
• Standardize successful machining practices.
• Improve production flow.
• Develop the capability of the entire Machine Shop.

What You Bring

We're looking for someone with:

• 5+ years of progressive CNC machining experience.
• Advanced CNC setup and machining capability.
• Experience producing complex, tight-tolerance components.
• Strong blueprint and GD&T interpretation skills.
• Advanced knowledge of tooling, workholding, speeds and feeds, offsets, and machining practices.
• Strong precision measurement skills.
• The ability to troubleshoot complex machining problems.
• Experience training, mentoring, or providing technical guidance to other machinists.
• A commitment to safety, quality, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Experience in aerospace/defense manufacturing, multi-axis machining, CNC programming/CAM, AS9100 environments, or previous Lead Machinist responsibilities is strongly preferred.

What Success Looks Like

Your success won't be measured only by the parts you personally produce.

We'll also look at whether the work is moving, quality is improving, problems are being solved, less-experienced machinists are developing, and the Machine Shop is becoming stronger because of your leadership.

We're looking for someone who wants to be known for the quality of their craft, who takes ownership when things get difficult, and who understands that being a Lead means helping the people around you become better.

Precision in the work. Pride in the craft. Performance as a team.

That's what we're looking for in our next Lead CNC Machinist.