Precision Machinist Jobs
Precision Machinist jobs are open across aerospace, defense, medical device manufacturing, and automotive, from entry-level operators to senior CNC machinists and manufacturing engineers, with specializations in CNC programming, tool and die work, and quality inspection. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 33+ Precision Machinist jobs
Company Overview
West Engineering Co., Inc., Ashland, Virginia, is a privately-owned premier engineering design and machining job shop specializing in the custom development and manufacturing of heavy-duty industrial machines, assemblies, and parts. With a state-of-the-art 62,000 square foot air-conditioned facility equipped with advanced CNC and precision machining resources, we serve industrial companies, government contractors, and heavy-duty manufacturing sectors with one-of-a-kind components, fixtures, and turn-key assemblies.
Overview
We are seeking a highly skilled CNC Okuma LC30 and LN35 Series Heavy-Duty Lathe Precision Machinist (top-tier superstar metal worker) to join our dynamic team. This role offers an exciting opportunity to work with complex metal parts using advanced CNC machinery in our turning centers. The ideal candidate will bring mechanical expertise, precision measurement skills, and a passion for manufacturing excellence to produce high-quality custom components that meet exact specifications.
Duties
● Set up and operate Precision Turning Center Department Okuma CNC lathes to produce complex high-precision metal parts.
● Program CNC lathe machines using CAD/CAM software, including the Okuma OSP (Okuma Sampling Path) computer controls, to ensure precise machining operations.
● Interpret detailed blueprints, schematics, and engineering drawings using GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing) standards for accurate manufacturing.
● Perform tooling setup and changeovers efficiently while maintaining optimal machine performance.
● Conduct precision measurements using calipers, micrometers, bore gauges, coordinate measuring machines (CMM), and other measurement instruments to verify part quality.
● Troubleshoot machining issues promptly to minimize downtime and ensure adherence to quality standards.
● Maintain a clean and organized work environment following lean manufacturing principles to optimize workflow.
Requirements
● Proven experience operating CNC machinery such as CNC lathes, mills, or multi-axis CNC machines in a manufacturing setting.
● Strong knowledge of lathe controls and programming; experience with CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software like SolidWorks or AutoCAD is highly desirable.
● Familiarity with CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) software for CNC programming and machining process optimization.
● Ability to interpret mechanical blueprints and schematics accurately; understanding of GD&T principles is essential.
● Mechanical aptitude with knowledge of tooling selection, geometry calculations, and machining tool setup for metalworking applications.
● Experience with electrical discharge machining (EDM), coordinate measuring machines (CMM), and precision measurement instruments such as bore gauges and micrometers is preferred.
● Knowledge of lean manufacturing practices to improve efficiency and reduce waste in machining processes.
● Strong math skills for precise measurement calculations and process adjustments.
Join us in shaping the future of heavy-duty industrial machinery by applying your expertise in CNC metal working! We value precision craftsmanship, innovative problem-solving, and a commitment to quality that drives our success in delivering custom solutions for our valued clients.
Insights For Qualified Machinist
A minimum of five (5) years direct experience as a precision machinist in a top-tier metal machining and custom manufacturing machine fabricating job shop environment is expected of applicants for this job. Stainless steel, carbon steel, corrosion resistant alloys, aluminum, brass, copper are typical metals that we machine. Some work may involve machinable non-metals. Large and heavy unique parts machining experience is a definite plus.
This is a qualified ASME Section VIII machine shop. Work normally consists of 4 ten-hour days (Monday-Thursday, 6:00 AM to 4:30 PM) within an air-conditioned building near I-95 in Hanover County, just north of metro-Richmond, Virginia. This job description is intended to provide an overview of the opportunity. Other duties may be assigned as needed.
Is This Your Reputation
● You seek to be the best at whatever task is at hand.
● You can visualize, plan, and get first-rate results.
● You can figure things out and make them happen.
● You are a self-starter and a team player.
● You are creative and thrive on machining challenges.
● You can also cheerfully accomplish the mundane.
● You prioritize safety, quality, and integrity.
● You like a good challenge and seek to expand your knowledge.
● You strive to learn and continue to grow your talents.
● You aspire to be part of a skilled "make-it-happen" team.
● You like to be genuinely appreciated.
If this describes you, stop skimming want ads and see if you can qualify for your next career steps towards joining the West Engineering team. Apply right now!
Your Next Steps
1. Applicants are encouraged view the company machining facility photo gallery on its web site, www.WestEngineering.com. If you are qualified, and like what you see and our location, then apply now for the job.
2. We thank each applicant and those selected for the next step will be contacted.
3. The job description is not intended to be all-inclusive, and additional duties may be assigned.
4. Must be able to safely lift ~ 40 pounds of material, tools, fixtures, etc.
5. Applicant must be able to fully comply with the United States citizenship and other requirements of Federal contractors and sub-contractors, and associated vendors.
6. Pay depends upon your qualifications, experience and demonstrated competence.
7. Work Location: Close to Lewistown Exit I-95, on the northern perimeter of metro-Richmond, Virginia (U.S.A.), in Hanover County, and just south of Ashland, VA, 23005.
Summary
West Engineering is an engineering design and full-service machining job shop. The company is focused on the custom design, development, fabrication of unique machine-tooling-components, and the turn-key manufacture of heavy duty, mass-production process industrial machines. This includes large parts, small components, prototypes, etc., mostly "one-of-a-kind" for industrial companies, government contractors, and similar heavy-duty manufacturing equipment and machine users. The company is not a sheet metal or mass production consumer products manufacturer. It has 3 bays, 10-ton and 5-ton overhead bridge cranes, heavy-duty quality assurance equipment, and is a qualified ASME Section VIII machine shop.
Our 33-member team works in a fully air-conditioned, 62,000 square foot, high-bay facility with a full array of CNC and precision machining, fabricating, assembly, quality control and finishing resources.
We continue the quality, integrity and value traditions set in 1919 by our founder, Edward West, Sr., and the company is still led daily by the West family.
Many discerning international corporations and privately owned manufacturers use West Engineering (and machining) as their preferred source for custom modules and machine engineering design, development, and manufacture.
So, if you are an experienced expert master machinist, problem-solver, communicator, and team member who wants a long-term career with a well-established (1919) privately-owned company, then grab this rare opportunity and apply right now. Bring your expertise in Okuma CNC lathe operation and programming to help us deliver exceptional custom machinery solutions to our valued and discerning customers!
Pay: $28.00 - $40.00 per hour
Expected hours: 40.0 per week
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
Precision Machinist Jobs by Experience Level
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Find Precision Machinist JobsPrecision Machinist Job Market
Who's Hiring

Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Chemicals & Materials
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in precision machinist jobs.
- CNC machine operation and programming experience on multi-axis equipment
- Ability to read and interpret engineering blueprints and GD&T drawings
- Proficiency with precision measuring instruments including micrometers and calipers
- High school diploma or equivalent, often with a vocational or apprenticeship credential
- Experience holding tight tolerances, typically within thousandths of an inch
- Familiarity with CAM software such as Mastercam, Fusion 360, or similar programs
Tips for Your Precision Machinist Job Search
List every machine and software you know
Employers filter resumes by specific equipment, so name every CNC platform, CAM software, and manual machine you've run. If you've worked on Haas, Mazak, or Fanuc controls, say so explicitly rather than writing 'CNC experience.'
Quantify your tolerance and inspection history
Hiring managers want to see how tight you've held tolerances. Include the tightest tolerance you've consistently held and the inspection tools you used, such as micrometers, CMMs, or optical comparators, directly on your resume.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists precision machinist openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target openings by material and industry
Shops hiring for titanium or Inconel work in aerospace rarely want a candidate whose background is only aluminum automotive parts. Tailor your application to highlight the materials you've machined that are most relevant to that specific industry.
Prepare for a hands-on skills test
Many precision machinist interviews include a live machine assessment or a blueprint reading exercise at the shop floor. Review GD&T callouts, practice interpreting multi-view drawings, and be ready to walk through your setup process out loud.
Negotiate shift differential and overtime early
Machine shops often run second and third shifts with pay premiums attached. Ask about shift structure and overtime expectations before accepting an offer, and factor the differential into your comparison when evaluating total compensation.
Precision Machinist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most precision machinists?
The companies hiring the most precision machinists right now include Maverick Tech, MacLean-Fogg, and West Engineering Co., with the largest share of openings in California, Virginia, and North Carolina, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Aerospace and defense contractors tend to drive the highest sustained demand for precision machinist roles.
How many precision machinist jobs are remote?
About 9% of precision machinist openings are fully remote or hybrid as of September 2026, since most roles require hands-on machine operation at a physical facility. The sub-areas most likely to allow partial remote work are CNC programming, CAM design, and quality documentation roles where machine time is not required every day.
How do you become a precision machinist?
Most precision machinists start through a vocational program, community college machining certificate, or a formal apprenticeship that combines classroom instruction with supervised shop time. From there, you build proficiency on manual machines before advancing to CNC equipment. Earning credentials like the National Institute for Metalworking Skills certification signals verified competency to employers and accelerates advancement into more complex work.
Can you get hired as a precision machinist with little or no experience?
Yes, entry-level machinist operator roles and apprenticeship positions are specifically designed for candidates with limited hands-on time. Employers hiring at this level look for mechanical aptitude, comfort with measurement tools, and basic blueprint reading ability. Completing a short vocational certificate or even a community college machining course before applying gives you a concrete credential that separates you from applicants with no formal training at all.
What does the precision machinist interview process look like?
Precision machinist interviews typically begin with a phone or in-person screen focused on your machine background, the materials you've worked with, and the tightest tolerances you've held. A shop floor tour and a hands-on skills assessment or blueprint reading exercise are common next steps. Final rounds often involve meeting a lead machinist or production supervisor who evaluates your setup approach and quality mindset before an offer is extended.
Where can I find and apply to precision machinist jobs?
You can find and apply to precision machinist jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your machine background, experience level, and preferred location, then apply directly to each one that fits.
See All 33 Precision Machinist Jobs
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