CNC Machinist Setup Operator

About the role

Founded in 1959 by Ed Miller near Chicago, Prince Industries has grown from a one-man shop into a global manufacturing partner. With seven facilities across the U.S. and China, we serve industries from hydraulics to aerospace, handling everything from just-in-time components to high-volume assemblies. At Prince, we don’t just make parts—we solve complex supply chain challenges. We are a strategic partner, focused on helping clients improve products, reduce costs, and simplify operations. Certified to ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485, and AS9100 standards, we combine quality, innovation, and growth-minded thinking to deliver real value.

Prince is looking for a CNC Machinist – Set Up Operator to add to our Team! This position will report to the Production Manager and will operate CNC Milling Machines to machine metallic and non-metallic workpieces by performing a variety of duties.

Responsibilities

• Machine setup, operation, and startup, restarting the machine, adjusts tooling to maintain proper sizes, replaces broken or worn tooling.
• Verify conformance of work piece to specifications, using measuring instruments such as micrometers, calipers, and go-no-go gauges.
• Secures all tooling and instruments required; Positions and secures work piece in holding device, machine table, chuck, centers, or fixtures.
• Understand how to adjust work offsets and part zero.
• Understand how to adjust the speed and feed of the machine according to different part specifications.
• Observes daily preventative machine maintenance: proper coolant levels, filters, fan operation, cleans machines, etc.
• Responsible for loading tools, setting tool Diameters so that cutter radius compensation may be used.
• Understand how to install Workholding.
• Additional responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor may include department transfers to meet production needs.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a CNC related field - set up experience preferred.
• Experience in vertical and horizontal milling machines setup.
• Ability to quickly use the control panel to do offsets and edits on 2-3 of the FMS machinery.
• Tolerance: Ability to machine parts to +/- 0.0005” for diameter and +/- 0.001” for length.
• Ability to read and interpret GD&T blueprints to the needed specification in creating a part.
• Regularly required to stand and reach the duration of shift, 8-10 hours.
• Frequently required to talk or hear.
• Frequently required to perform repetitive or short-cycle work.
• Occasionally required to walk; sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, or bend.
• Regularly lift, push or pull up to 15 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include