U

University of Texas at Austin

Public research university in Austin, TX

CNC Machinist & Programmer

Full-TimeUpdated on 10/24/2026
$60k
Mid
Austin, TX, USA
In PersonAustin UT campus; occasional travel to McDonald Observatory near Fort Davis, Texas.
Manufacturing & Production OperationsPrecision Machining & Toolmaking
Company Does Not Provide H1B Sponsorship

About the job

Requirements
  • High school graduation or GED, supplemented by or including vocational machine shop and other technical courses such as mathematics, physics, and blueprint reading.
  • Professional-level proficiency with MasterCAM to program CNC machines; ability to set up and operate CNC machines and use PC computers to run programs and save files.
  • Four years of skilled construction and maintenance of equipment, or experience as an instrument maker or machinist beyond the apprentice level.
  • Advanced knowledge of selecting and loading correct cutting tools, tool paths, and adjusting machine settings to meet product specifications.
  • Advanced knowledge of using a lathe, milling machines, drill press, micrometers, and other precision measuring devices.
  • Good working knowledge of trigonometry, geometry, and basic mathematics.
  • Ability to follow instructions when selecting appropriate tooling and fixtures.
  • Ability to work independently and under pressure, accept supervision, maintain a professional demeanor, work as a team member without day-to-day supervision, and communicate effectively with supervisors, co-workers, and customers.
  • Strong problem-solving skills.
  • Motivation and willingness to learn.
  • Willingness to teach others machining skills if necessary.
  • Strong mechanical aptitude.
  • Regular and punctual attendance.
  • A class C operator's driver's license is required. The selected applicant must provide a current three-year driving record from their current state of residence; applicants who are not Texas residents must obtain a Texas driver's license within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident.
Responsibilities
  • Fabricate high-quality, high-precision parts efficiently and on time using CAM programming and by setting up and operating CNC milling machines, lathes, and wire EDM; use judgment and initiative to match the machining process, layout, and setup to each job, including designing and building fixtures and jigs when necessary.
  • Use manual milling machines, lathes, and similar equipment to fabricate parts.
  • Assist researchers and design personnel in planning instrument design and construction, drawing on practical shop experience.
  • Maintain general-use perishable tools, instruct students and others using the machine shop as needed, and stay current on new manufacturing methods, practices, and tools.
  • Assemble, modify, repair, and maintain instruments and equipment, including mills, lathes, and wire EDM machines, for the Observatory, shop, and Astronomy Department.
  • Perform other duties as required to meet business needs, including driving a UT vehicle to pick up tools, materials, and parts.
Desired Qualifications
  • Five or more years of experience as an instrument maker, machinist, or tool and die maker.
  • Five or more years of experience programming and operating CNC mills, lathes, and wire EDM machines, specifically Hurco, HAAS, and Fanuc WEDM, and planning, laying out, and setting up tooling, jigs, and fixtures to fabricate single-part or multi-part jobs.
  • Five or more years of experience using MasterCAM software to program CNC machines.
  • Knowledge of solid modeling software, specifically Inventor and SolidWorks, MasterCAM tool libraries, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing.
  • Technical courses such as machine tool programming and blueprint reading.

About the company

U

University of Texas at Austin

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University of Texas at Austin is a public research university in Austin, Texas. It offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional education across a broad range of fields.

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