Abbess Instruments and Systems, Inc.

🔎 At a glance

Company Name: Abbess Instruments and Systems, Inc.
Location: Holliston, MA
Founded: 1986
Shop Type: In-house CNC machining supporting an in-house manufacturer of vacuum and thermal vacuum systems
Industries Served: Aerospace, electronics, materials science, and government/research testing (including NASA-related specifications)
Production Style: Custom, precision component production supporting engineered vacuum and thermal vacuum systems
Machining Capabilities: CNC milling (Bridgeport machines with ProtoTRAK controls)
Certifications: ISO 9001:2015

🏭 About Abbess Instruments and Systems, Inc.

Abbess Instruments and Systems, Inc. has designed and manufactured vacuum chambers and thermal vacuum systems from Holliston, Massachusetts since 1986. The company builds systems used for satellite testing, altitude flight simulation, deep space simulation, and other process applications, including systems built to NASA's GSFC-STD-7000 specification. Abbess supports customers across aerospace, electronics, and materials-science research, along with government agencies and laboratories.

Precision machined components are built in-house to support that equipment, and the shop operates under an ISO 9001:2015 quality management system. Abbess also offers retrofit and upgrade services for existing systems, giving its machining team exposure to both new-build and rework projects.

👍 Why you'll like working here

This isn't high-volume production work. The parts you machine go into custom-engineered vacuum and thermal vacuum systems built for aerospace, space simulation, and scientific research programs, so the work is varied rather than repetitive. Abbess is a smaller, established shop that has been in business since 1986, and machinists work under an ISO 9001:2015 quality system with training provided on additional equipment, including CNC burn table, laser, and water jet, for those who want to build out their skill set.

⚙️ What you'll be working on

Machinists at Abbess set up, operate, and clean CNC mills, working from drafted work orders and coordinating requirements with the CAD engineering team. Day-to-day work includes reviewing blueprints, programming and machining parts on Bridgeport/ProtoTRAK equipment, and performing first-piece and in-process inspection with calipers, micrometers, and pin gauges. Machinists also complete required production documentation and can cross-train on CNC burn table, laser, water jet, and saw equipment as needed.

⭐ Shop highlights

• In business since 1986, based in Holliston, MA
• ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management system
• In-house machining supporting custom-engineered vacuum and thermal vacuum systems
• Products support aerospace, satellite, and scientific research programs
• Cross-training available on CNC burn table, laser, water jet, and saw equipment

🛠️ Machines & technology

CNC Mills: Bridgeport mills with ProtoTRAK conversational CNC controls
Other Production Equipment: CNC burn table, laser, water jet, and saws (cross-training available)

📏 Quality & inspection

Abbess operates under an ISO 9001:2015 quality management system. Machinists perform first-piece and in-process inspection using layouts, tape measures, calipers, micrometers, and pin gauges, and follow the company's documented procedures as part of its continuous-improvement process.

💼 Current CNC career opportunities

• CNC Operator/Machinist I - Holliston, MA

View current opportunities and apply through hireCNC.