About Wisconsin Ordnance Works

Wisconsin Ordnance Works is a small-business defense manufacturer producing precision machined and fabricated components for the Defense Logistics Agency and major defense primes. We operate under AS9100D / ISO 9001:2015, ITAR/EAR, and CMMC Level 2. Our parts go on vehicles and systems the warfighter depends on, and our customers hold us to that standard.

Our values

We Care. This is not just our "job"—this is an all-encompassing passion that drives us to deliver far beyond the expectations of our customers and our associates.
We Do What Is Right. We put ethics in front of business. It does not mean that we are always right, or that our customer is always right. It means that we choose to do what is right—even if it punishes us.
We Fix It. When we encounter an error, a shortcoming, an omission, or a failure—whether it originates internally or externally—we step in and solve the problem using every means at our disposal.
We Are All In. We meet the quality requirements of our business partners through strict adherence to validated procedures, a total commitment to excellence, and a focus on improving the lives of those we serve.

Our best operators live "We Fix It" and "We Are All In" every shift: they catch problems at the machine, and they follow the print and the procedure every time.

The Role

We are hiring a strong CNC Lathe Setup Machinist. You will set up and run CNC lathes independently, producing precision defense components to print in alloy steel, titanium, aluminum, and other materials. You own the setup and the parts coming off your machine: you check them, you keep them in tolerance, and you stop the line when something is wrong. If you can take a job from print to proven first part without hand-holding, and you show up every day, we want to talk to you.

Why WOW

People stay. Our associates typically build long careers here.
Room to grow. Machinists who prove themselves have real paths into lead, production leadership, quality, and engineering.
Four 10s. A four-day, 10-hour work week, with overtime available.

What You'll Do

Run CNC lathes and turning centers through production jobs: load material, run cycles, and keep the machine producing.
Inspect parts at the machine with calipers, micrometers, height gauges, bore gauges, and indicators.
Make tool offset and wear adjustments to hold tolerance.
Read drawings, including GD&T, and follow routers and work instructions exactly.
Record inspection results accurately per our AS9100 quality system.
Stop and escalate when something is wrong. Nonconforming parts do not move forward.
Set up new jobs from the print and setup sheet: workholding, tool selection, offsets, and first-article prove-out.
Keep your machine and work area clean and safe; follow 5S and safety procedures.

What You Bring

Required

3+ years setting up and running CNC lathes independently: workholding, tooling, offsets, and first-part prove-out.
Able to read blueprints and use precision measuring instruments.
Able to edit programs at the control and troubleshoot tool wear, chatter, and dimensional drift.
A dependable attendance record and a track record of following procedures.
Must be a U.S. person under ITAR.

Preferred

CAM programming experience (Mastercam, GibbsCAM, or similar).
GD&T knowledge.
Experience machining a range of materials, including alloy steel, titanium, and aluminum.
Experience in an AS9100, ISO 9001, aerospace, or defense shop.

Work Environment

Work is on the production floor on a four-day, 10-hour schedule, with overtime available. Safety glasses, safety footwear, and other PPE required. Must be able to stand for a full shift and lift up to 50 lbs.

Benefits

Annual profit-based year-end bonus (historically up to 10% of annual pay), health benefits, and paid time off.

Wisconsin Ordnance Works is an equal opportunity employer. This position requires access to export-controlled information; applicants must be U.S. persons as defined by ITAR (22 CFR 120.62).

You should be proficient in:

GD&T
CNC Tooling
Troubleshooting Skills
AS9100 Quality Systems
G-Code
CNC Machine Setup & Changeover
Precision Measurement & Hand Metrology
Advanced Inspection & Gauge Measurement
Machine Setups for Production Runs
Troubleshooting CNC Machines
Blueprint Reading

Machines & technologies you'll use:

CNC Lathe (2-4 axis)