Lathe Operator
About the job
- Strong understanding of CNC programming and process development.
- Experience machining tight-tolerance precision components.
- Advanced blueprint reading and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) interpretation skills.
- Knowledge of material movement and dimensional change resulting from outside processing operations.
- Experience with precision inspection equipment and measurement techniques.
- At least 5 years of advanced CNC turning experience in precision manufacturing.
- Ability to independently manage setups, programming, and process validation.
- Program, set up, and operate CNC lathes and turning centers for precision component manufacturing.
- Develop complete machining processes from print review through final inspection.
- Interpret engineering drawings, CAD models, and customer specifications.
- Plan machining operations to compensate for dimensional changes caused by heat treating, coating, grinding, and other outside processing.
- Establish workholding methods and tooling strategies for complex precision parts.
- Create and optimize CNC programs to maximize efficiency and repeatability.
- Perform in-process inspections and final dimensional verification.
- Troubleshoot machining, tooling, and quality issues.
- Work with engineering and quality teams on new product introduction and process improvement.
- Maintain setup documentation, tooling records, and process standards.
- Mentor junior machinists and assist with technical training.
- Support lean manufacturing and continuous improvement efforts.
- Ball screw, aerospace, or high-precision manufacturing experience.
About the company
Kaney provides high-reliability engineering and manufacturing for aerospace, defense, and medical markets, with AS9100 certification and vertical integration. It designs and builds electromechanical actuators, smart servos with embedded DO-178 Level A software, power-management systems, and precision gearboxes for mission-critical applications, plus test labs and certification support. It differentiates itself by offering full lifecycle services—from architecture and design to FAA/EASA certification, build-to-print manufacturing, and system integration laboratories—serving top customers like Boeing and the USAF. Its goal is to deliver certified propulsion, avionics, and medical motion-control solutions with complete lifecycle support, growing through strategic acquisitions and partnerships.
Company Size
51-200
Company Stage
Grant
Total Funding
$1.9M
Headquarters
Rockford, Illinois
Founded
N/A
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- July 14, 2026's $2.88 million BGT expansion lifts capacity and automation immediately.
- Velocity One's Charlesbank backing funds R&D, hiring, and acquisition-driven cross-selling in 2026.
- Northrop Grumman's 2024 Supplier Excellence Award validates Kaney's quality and opens deeper defense work.
What critics are saying
- Velocity One integration after February 24, 2026 can disrupt Kaney's engineering culture and customers.
- Boeing, Honeywell, Northrop Grumman, and Safran dependence creates brutal program-concentration risk.
- If AAM or defense orders slip, Kaney's capital-heavy plants face underutilization and covenant stress.
What makes Kaney unique
- Kaney pairs AS9100 manufacturing with FAA Part 145 and EASA repair capabilities, rare for 2026.
- Its motion-control systems fly on commercial jets, AAM aircraft, and defense platforms.
- BGT Aerospace adds precision ball screws and grinding for mission-critical aerospace and medical components.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Flexible Work Hours
Professional Development Budget
Training Programs
Company News
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Kaney, a Velocity One portfolio company, is investing $2.88 million to expand its BGT Aerospace facility in Freeland, Michigan. The investment will add advanced production equipment including new machining, precision grinding, automation, and inspection technologies to increase manufacturing capacity for precision ball screw assemblies and motion control components. As part of the expansion, Kaney has selected Morris Midwest to supply multiple five-axis CNC machining centres. The company also appointed Dustin Sargent as director of operations and site lead for BGT Aerospace. BGT Aerospace manufactures precision components for aerospace, defence, space, and advanced mobility applications. Its customers include Northrop Grumman, Safran, Virgin Galactic, and Hummingbird Aero. The company received the 2024 Northrop Grumman Supplier Excellence Award for Strategic Excellence.
Kaney announces $2.88 million investment to expand BGT Aerospace operations in Freeland. * ACCESS Newswire * 18 hrs ago * 2 min to read FREELAND, MI / ACCESS Newswire / July 14, 2026 / Kaney, Inc., a Velocity One portfolio company, today announced a $2.88 million investment in its BGT Aerospace facility in Freeland, Michigan, expanding manufacturing capacity, adding advanced production equipment, and reinforcing the company's long-term commitment to the local community. The investment supports Kaney's strategy to strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities for aerospace, defense, space, and advanced mobility applications. "This investment reflects our confidence in BGT Aerospace and the Freeland community," said Steven Martinez, president, Kaney. "By investing in our people and expanding our manufacturing capabilities, we are positioning BGT for continued growth while strengthening our ability to support the evolving needs of the aerospace and defense industry."
Rockford engineering firm Kaney Aerospace joins national defense tech ecosystem. Posted: Feb 25, 2026 / 01:36 PM CST Updated: Feb 25, 2026 / 05:38 PM CST ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) - Rockford's Kaney Aerospace, known for its advanced actuation, motion-control and power-system technologies, has been acquired by Velocity One, an aerospace and defense platform backed by Charlesbank Capital Partners. Kaney, founded and headquartered in Rockford, employs more than 110 workers, including over 20 engineers in electrical, mechanical, software and aerospace disciplines. The company develops high-reliability motion-control systems, electric brake components, cockpit controls, and test-lab architecture used by major commercial and defense aviation programs worldwide. Its products fly on platforms ranging from traditional commercial jets to emerging Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and autonomous aircraft. In addition to aerospace, Kaney supplies tens of thousands of components and systems to major medical-device manufacturers each year, including high-precision gear assemblies and robotic system components. The company also operates an FAA Part 145 and EASA-certified repair station. Rockford executive takes pride in manufacturing aircraft components and parts Jeffrey J. Kaney, Sr., who has led the company through years of expansion into high-value engineering and electromechanical systems, continues in his leadership role. Karan Talreja, Vice President at Charlesbank Capital Partners, said the acquisition strengthens Velocity One's capabilities in motion control and actuation - core engineering areas that Kaney has built its reputation around. "Kaney Aerospace is a natural addition to the Velocity One platform, adding motion control and actuation capabilities that complement our existing portfolio," Talreja said in the announcement. Kaney Aerospace has been one of the Rockford region's key contributors to the aerospace supply chain - an industry that employs thousands across northern Illinois. While the companies did not disclose financial details, the acquisition places Rockford-based engineering and manufacturing talent into a larger national defense-technology ecosystem.
Velocity One, an aerospace and defense platform backed by Charlesbank Capital Partners, has acquired Kaney Aerospace. Financial terms were not disclosed. Headquartered in Rockford, Illinois, Kaney Aerospace specialises in electromechanical actuation, motion control and advanced power solutions for aerospace and medical applications. The company operates an FAA Part 145 and EASA-certified repair station, serving commercial and defense platforms worldwide, with growing adoption in Advanced Air Mobility and autonomous vehicles. The acquisition expands Velocity One's portfolio, which includes Cartridge Actuated Devices, EMCORE Corporation and Aerosphere Power & Navigation. Since 2022, Velocity One has assembled specialised aerospace and defense companies with expertise in mission-critical systems. RBC Capital Markets advised Kaney Aerospace, whilst Foley & Lardner served as legal counsel to Velocity One.