CNC Machinist III – 3/4/5-Axis Lathe Machinist (Second Shift | Aerospace & Defense)

At a Glance

• Company: Barber-Nichols
• Location: Arvada, Colorado (On-site)
• Job Type: Full-Time
• Pay Range: $40 – $54 per hour + shift differential + OT at 1.5x
• Sign-On Bonus: $5,000
• Shift: Second Shift
• Shift Differential: 15% premium over base rate
• Overtime: Time and a half over 40 hours
• Experience Level: Senior (8+ years machining experience)
• Work Authorization: U.S. Person required (ITAR / Security Clearance eligible role)
• Published: April 13, 2026

Why This Role Exists

Barber-Nichols is a premier provider of custom turbomachinery solutions supporting the aerospace, defense, cryogenics, and energy industries.

This role exists to support increasing demand for high-precision CNC machining of mission-critical components used in advanced systems such as NASA deep-space missions and U.S. Navy defense programs.

At BN, machinists are essential contributors to technology that powers space exploration, national defense, and advanced engineering innovation.

The Work You’ll Be Doing

In this role, you will:

• Set up and operate manual machines in support of CNC machining operations
• Set up and operate 2-axis CNC horizontal machines and VTL lathes
• Set up and operate 3, 4, and 5-axis CNC lathes and machining systems
• Interpret complex engineering drawings, GD&T, and manufacturing instructions
• Stage, organize, and move materials to support production flow
• Evaluate, select, and requisition tooling and machining supplies
• Perform precision setups and maintain consistent part quality
• Support both prototype and production machining environments
• Work closely with engineering, programming, and quality teams
• Ensure safety, accuracy, and first-time quality across all operations

Machines, Tools & Environment

You will work with:

• CNC lathes (2-axis, multi-axis, and advanced configurations)
• Vertical Turret Lathes (VTLs)
• Horizontal CNC machining centers
• 3-axis, 4-axis, and 5-axis CNC lathe systems
• Manual machining equipment for support operations
• Precision inspection tools (calipers, micrometers, gauges, indicators)
• Aerospace-grade machining environment (ISO / AS9100 standards)

What We’re Looking For

Required

• 8+ years of CNC machining experience in a job shop / prototype / aerospace manufacturing environment
• Strong experience in setup and operation of CNC lathes and/or mills
• Experience with manual machining in support of CNC operations
• Ability to read and interpret complex engineering drawings and GD&T
• Strong understanding of tooling, setups, offsets, and machining processes
• Experience working in ISO / AS / MIL-spec environments
• Ability to work with detailed written and verbal instructions
• U.S. Citizenship or eligible U.S. Person status (ITAR requirement)

Preferred

• 5-axis machining experience (lathe or mill-turn environments)
• Experience with VTLs or horizontal machining centers
• Aerospace, defense, or turbomachinery manufacturing background
• High-mix, low-volume prototype machining experience
• Strong quality-driven mindset with attention to precision

Why Machinists Like Working Here

Machinists choose Barber-Nichols because:

• You work on world-class aerospace and defense programs
• Every component has real mission-critical impact
• Challenging machining work — not repetitive production runs
• Strong engineering collaboration and technical environment
• Long-term stability with over 55 years of industry excellence
• Opportunity to grow into advanced machining and leadership roles

Pay, Benefits & Schedule

Pay

• $40 – $54/hour (based on experience)
• 15% shift differential (second shift)
• Time and a half for overtime (over 40 hours)
• $5,000 sign-on bonus

Benefits

• ~80% employer-paid medical insurance premiums
• HSA/FSA with company contributions
• 401(k) with up to 7.25% employer contributions
• Employee stock purchase discount (NYSE: GHM)
• 4 weeks PTO (increasing to 5 weeks with tenure)
• Paid holidays + floating holiday + volunteer time
• Tuition reimbursement from day one
• Paid parental, military, jury duty, and bereavement leave
• Relocation assistance (if applicable)
• Employee wellness and culture programs

Important Requirements (ITAR / Security Clearance)

This position requires compliance with U.S. export control regulations (ITAR) and eligibility for a U.S. Security Clearance.

Applicants must be:
• U.S. Citizens, or
• Lawful Permanent Residents, or
• Other protected individuals under U.S. export law

Equal Opportunity Employer

Barber-Nichols is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants are considered without regard to race, gender, disability, veteran status, or other protected categories.

Apply

Apply today to join Barber-Nichols and contribute to advanced turbomachinery systems that power space exploration, defense, and next-generation energy technologies.