5-Axis CNC Programmer / Machinist – Prototype & Defense Work (SolidCAM / Fanuc)

🔎At a Glance

• Company: Empire Group
• Location: Attleboro, MA (on-site)
• Job Type: Full-Time
• Compensation: $100,000 – $140,000 per year (based on experience)
• Shift: Day Shift | Typical start time of 6:00 AM or 7:00 AM
• Schedule: Standard 8-hour shifts with common half-days on Fridays
• Overtime: Available as needed
• Experience Level: Mid to Senior Level (5+ years preferred)
• Industry: Prototype Machining / Defense Manufacturing / Advanced Manufacturing
• Relocation Assistance: Not available — local candidates preferred
• CAM Software: SolidCAM (Mastercam experience highly transferable)

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Why This Role Exists

Empire Group is expanding its advanced machining capabilities and preparing to bring additional 5-axis machining capacity online to support complex defense and prototype manufacturing programs.

This role will play a key part in producing highly complex machined components for defense-related projects, including work tied to Black Hawk helicopter weaponization kits. The company is looking for a skilled CNC programmer/machinist who can help bridge current 3-axis and 4-axis operations into a more advanced 5-axis environment over the coming months.

This is an opportunity to join a highly entrepreneurial manufacturing company with a “25-year-old startup” feel — minimal bureaucracy, direct access to ownership, and exposure to advanced machining, additive manufacturing, and cutting-edge defense projects.

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The Work You’ll Be Doing

In this role, you will:

• Program and set up CNC milling machines for complex prototype and low-volume work
• Initially focus on 3-axis and 4-axis machining while helping transition into dedicated 5-axis production
• Create and optimize offline CNC programs using CAD models and blueprints
• Work closely with engineering and leadership on highly technical defense-related projects
• Set tooling, work offsets, fixtures, and verify setups at the machine
• Perform first-article and in-process inspections
• Troubleshoot machining issues and optimize programs for efficiency and quality
• Work on large, complex aluminum components and prototype-style parts
• Collaborate with a small, highly skilled team of programmers and machinists

Long-term, this position is expected to evolve into a more programming-heavy role as additional 5-axis projects ramp up.

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Machines, Controls & Software

You’ll work with equipment and software such as:

Machines

• Smart VMCs
• YCM vertical machining centers
• 3-axis and 4-axis milling platforms
• Upcoming dedicated 5-axis machining platform

Controls

• Fanuc
• Hurco

CAM Software

• SolidCAM
• Mastercam experience considered highly transferable

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Inspection & Technical Skills

• Blueprint reading
• GD&T interpretation
• Precision inspection tools
• CAD model-based programming workflows

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Materials You’ll Work With

• Aluminum
• Stainless steel
• Alloy steels
• Exotic metals
• Prototype and defense-grade materials

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What We’re Looking For

Required

• 5+ years of CNC programming and machining experience
• Strong milling background in a metal machining environment
• Experience with setup, tooling, offsets, and troubleshooting
• Ability to read blueprints and understand GD&T
• Experience programming from CAD models
• Prototype, low-volume, or high-complexity machining experience

Preferred

• 5-axis machining exposure
• SolidCAM experience
• Mastercam programming experience
• Defense, aerospace, or advanced manufacturing background
• Experience with Haas, Fanuc, or Hurco environments

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Not a Fit

This role is likely not a fit for candidates coming primarily from:

• Plastics machining
• High-volume production machining environments
• Repetitive production-only work

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Why Machinists Like Working Here

Machinists choose Empire Group because of the combination of advanced work, clean environment, and growth potential.

Highlights include:

• Extremely clean, climate-controlled shop
• Heated floors throughout the facility
• Small, highly skilled team environment
• Exposure to advanced manufacturing technologies
• Defense and drone-related projects
• Opportunity to rapidly grow into advanced 5-axis machining
• Minimal red tape and approachable ownership
• Future expansion into a newer, larger facility

This is the type of shop where skilled machinists can have direct impact on projects, processes, and future capabilities.

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Pay, Benefits & Schedule

Compensation

• $100,000 – $140,000 per year (DOE)
• Salary or hourly structure possible depending on candidate background

Benefits

• Blue Cross Blue Shield medical coverage
• Dental
• Vision
• Benefits begin after 30 days
• 401(k) with 4% company match after 12 months
• Short-term disability
• Life insurance
• PTO starts at 2 weeks and increases with seniority
• Paid company holidays

Schedule

• Day shift
• Typical start times of 6:00 AM or 7:00 AM
• Standard 8-hour shifts
• Half-days on Fridays are common
• Overtime available as needed

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Apply

Interested CNC programmers and machinists can apply directly through hireCNC.

👉 Apply Now or Save This Job to learn more about this opportunity with Empire Group.