Job Description

Job Summary

General Atomics (GA), and its affiliated companies, is one of the world’s leading resources for high-technology systems development ranging from the nuclear fuel cycle to remotely piloted aircraft, airborne sensors, and advanced electric, electronic, wireless and laser technologies.

We have an exciting opportunity for a CNC Specialist to join our Inertial Fusion Technology (IFT) division within the Energy group. This position is based at our Torrey Pines Facility in San Diego, Ca, supporting the Inertial Confinement Fusion and High Energy Density Science Program. The components to be machined are typically high-precision parts produced in small quantities. Production schedules are reasonable; however, due dates are often inflexible.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
 

• Set up and operate common manual shop equipment such as lathes, mills, and saws.
• Set up and operate CNC lathes.
• Perform NC programming in both manual formats (plain G-code and parametric G-code) and CAD/CAM (Creo) using engineering specifications and drawings.
• Reviews engineering drawings to define configuration of parts and determine type and sequence of machine operations.
• Work on R&D and first-article items, including developing machining plans and writing programs in CAD/CAM software such as Creo and determining the tools and materials needed for the job.
• Serve as the lead machinist for production and R&D projects.
• Mentor and train other machinists.
• Work on process improvements for established production processes, as well as first-of-a-kind prototypes and first articles.
• Maintain strong customer focus and communicate effectively with customers such as Principal Investigators (PIs) for experiments.
• Inspect parts using micrometers, calipers, digital height gages, Trimos, measuring microscopes, indicators, gage blocks, surface plates, sine plates, and other tools as required.
• Inspect parts using advanced inspection tools such as CT and white-light optical profilers.
• Document inspection results by entering data into Excel templates and archiving records on the server.
• Responsible for observing all laws, regulations and other applicable obligations wherever and whenever business is conducted on behalf of the Company.
• Work in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices.
• Perform additional duties as assigned or required

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.


 

Job Qualifications

• Typically requires a bachelor’s degree in computer programming or a related field and 2 or more years of progressive experience in programming computer numerically controlled (CNC) machines. Equivalent professional experience may be substituted in lieu of education.
• Must demonstrate a complete understanding of CNC application principles, theories, and concepts, and must have leadership skills including organizing, scheduling, and coordinating work assignments to meet project milestones or established completion dates.

Must possess:
 

• Expertise with common manual shop equipment such as lathes, mills, and saws.
• Expertise and experience in setting up and operating CNC lathes.
• Expertise and experience with NC programming (both G-code and CAD/CAM).
• Expert-level skill with common manual inspection tools such as micrometers, calipers, digital height gages, indicators, gage blocks, surface plates, and sine plates.
• Experience and working knowledge of GD&T concepts, and the ability to apply them in work assignments.
• Experience mentoring or training machinists.
• Knowledge and experience in machining exotic materials such as beryllium, aerogels/foams, germanium, platinum, tantalum, etc.
• Experience in equipment maintenance and repair of CNC lathes and mills.
• Experience working on R&D and first-article projects, including developing machining plans and working side by side with project engineers.
• Experience serving as the lead machinist on production and R&D projects.
• Experience working on process improvements for established production processes, as well as first-of-a-kind prototypes and first articles.
• Customer focus and experience communicating with customers such as PIs for experiments.
• Ability to use good judgment and safe practices in a shop environment.
• Time management skills to maintain the flow of work within the unit.
• Good interpersonal and written communication skills to interface with employees and supervisors, and basic computer skills.
• Ability to work in a large laboratory or research environment requiring long periods of standing, walking, bending, and lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
• Flexibility to work extended hours as required.
• Must have or be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance.