Lead Machinist Jobs
Lead Machinist jobs are open across aerospace, automotive, defense, and industrial manufacturing, with specializations in CNC operations, precision turning, and tool-and-die work, from journeyman to senior lead and supervisor level. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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CNC Machinist 2/Machining Department Lead
**Job Title: **CNC Machinist II. / 2nd
Shift Lead
Department: Machining
**Reporting Structure: **Machining Supervisor
FTE: Full-Time (Monday through Thursday, 10 hour shifts)
**Shift: **2nd
**Location: *South Windham, CT (please check commute before applying)*
**Pay Range: **$35.00 - $40.00 per hour
Sign On Bonus: Sign on bonus for well qualified candidates.
**Benefits: **Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance, FSA, 401K and 401K Match, Life Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Employee Referral Program, Tuition Reimbursement, Paid Time Off, and Flexible Schedule Options.
**Job Pitch: **
We are always looking for qualified individuals to join our team at Micro Precision who pride themselves on offering excellent customer service, attention to detail, and supporting national defense in a manufacturing environment. We are currently looking for a CNC Machinist II. / 2nd
Shift Lead to join our team.
**About Micro Precision: **
Micro Precision is a precision manufacturing machine shop supporting national defense and homeland security customers for over 40 years. The theme of our mission, vision, and values is dedicated to protecting America, offering the highest quality with unrelenting deduction to our customers, and with zero fail accuracy. Through our tenure we have built strong foundational relationships with vendors and suppliers.
Job Summary:
Assist fellow machinist with set ups and programming.
Setup and operate computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools.
Program CNC mills and lathes for various operations
Adhere to quality assurance procedures and processes
Document actions in production and quality logs
Report nightly production status to the Manufacturing manager
Maintain a clean work environment.
Suggest tooling or strategy that will improve productivity.
Other duties as responsibilities necessitate.
Required Qualifications:
- US Citizenship is required per DoD requirements
- High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent
Minimum Qualifications:
Formal training or relevant experience operating CNC machine tools
Experience with ERP systems
Work independently and in groups to identify and resolve issues
Positive attitude with team mentality
Programming and Operating Mazak control mills and lathes
Experience with Fryer lathes
Physical & Mental:
General: Position requires ability to concentrate on details with occasional interruption and attend to tasks for 45 to 60 minutes at a time. Ability to understand theories behind related concepts and to remember multiple tasks given to self and others over periods of time; ability to prioritize given shifting priorities; ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written form.
**Environmental & Working Conditions: **
Industrial shop setting. Dust, dirt, metal debris from manufacturing will be encountered. Moderate levels of noise will be encountered.
**EEOC Statement: **
Micro Precision Group is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.
Lead Machinist Jobs by Experience Level
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Find Lead Machinist JobsLead Machinist Job Market
Who's Hiring


Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in lead machinist jobs.
- 5 or more years of CNC machining experience, including setup and programming
- Proficiency reading and interpreting engineering drawings and GD&T callouts
- Experience operating lathes, milling machines, and multi-axis machining centers
- Ability to supervise and mentor a team of two or more machinists
- NIMS certification or equivalent vocational or apprenticeship training preferred
- Familiarity with quality control tools including calipers, micrometers, and CMM
Tips for Your Lead Machinist Job Search
Quantify output on your resume
List the tolerances you routinely held, the materials you machined, and the number of operators you supervised. Lead machinist resumes that include specific tolerance specs and machine types get pulled faster than those listing only job duties.
List your certifications by issuing body
Spell out NIMS credentials, specific G-code controller certifications, and any manufacturer training by name. Generic phrases like 'certified machinist' mean less to hiring managers than 'NIMS Turning Operations Level 2' or 'Mazak Smooth Technology training.'
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists lead machinist openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings that name your machine types
Filter job listings by the CNC platforms you know, whether that's Fanuc, Haas, or Okuma. Applying to roles that match your controller experience means you skip the retraining conversation and interview as a ready-to-run candidate.
Prep for a skills demonstration, not just questions
Many lead machinist interviews include a shop floor component where you read a print, identify tooling, or walk through a setup. Review GD&T callouts you haven't used recently and be ready to explain your inspection process out loud.
Negotiate your shift differential upfront
Lead machinist roles frequently run second or third shift. Ask about differential pay and overtime structure before you accept an offer, since those figures affect your real take-home more than base rate alone on a 10-hour or 12-hour schedule.
Lead Machinist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most lead machinists?
HireBridge Recruiting, RTCA, and laborup are hiring the most lead machinists right now, with openings concentrated in California, Connecticut, and Florida, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Aerospace, defense, and heavy equipment manufacturers tend to post the highest volumes of lead-level roles.
How many lead machinist jobs are remote?
About 6% of lead machinist openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most machining work. The small remote share is concentrated in roles with a planning, programming, or quality-review focus rather than direct floor supervision.
How do you become a lead machinist?
Most lead machinists start as CNC operators or setup machinists, then build experience across multiple machine types and materials. Earning a NIMS credential or completing a formal apprenticeship strengthens your case for promotion. From there, demonstrating consistent quality output, the ability to read complex prints, and willingness to train junior operators positions you for a lead role.
Can you get hired as a lead machinist with limited experience?
Getting hired directly into a lead role with limited experience is uncommon because employers expect you to train and supervise others from day one. A realistic path is to target senior machinist or setup-specialist openings first, build a reputation for holding tight tolerances and hitting production targets, and move into a lead role after proving yourself on the floor.
What does the lead machinist interview process look like?
Most lead machinist interviews combine a phone or video screen with a technical in-person round. The in-person stage often includes a print-reading exercise, questions about your setup process for specific machines, and a discussion of how you handle scrap, downtime, or operator performance issues. Some shops add a short floor walk where you identify tooling or talk through a hypothetical setup.
Where can I find and apply to lead machinist jobs?
You can find and apply to lead machinist jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. Search for roles that match your machine type experience and location, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
See All 54 Lead Machinist Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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