Brad Foote Gearing

CNC Machining Careers in Cicero, Illinois

Precision Gears & Gearboxes | Large-Part Machining | Heavy Industry

🔎 At a glance

Company Name: Brad Foote Gearing
Location: Cicero, IL 60804
Founded: 1924
Shop Type: Precision gear and gearbox manufacturer
Industries Served: Power generation, infrastructure, defense and heavy industry
Production Style: High-mix, low-volume and production machining
Machining Capabilities: 5-axis milling, CNC turning, vertical turning, gear cutting and gear grinding
Materials: Large steel components
Certification: ISO 9001 registered

🏭 About Brad Foote Gearing

Brad Foote Gear Works has manufactured precision gears and gearboxes since 1924. From its Cicero, Illinois operation, the company produces gears, pinions, shafts and gearbox components for demanding power-generation, infrastructure, defense and heavy-industrial applications. The work ranges from components approximately one inch in diameter to extremely large gearing approaching 140 inches.

The approximately 200,000-square-foot Cicero facility brings together CNC milling, CNC turning, vertical turning, gear cutting, gear grinding and manual machining. Brad Foote has invested approximately $10 million in new machinery over the past five years, including sophisticated 5-axis and large-part equipment. Its diversified product offering and long-term customer demand support continued growth while giving machinists access to technically interesting work.

👍 Why you'll like working here

Machinists at Brad Foote work on tangible, large-scale components using a mix of modern CNC equipment and traditional machining skill. The shop includes a climate-controlled area for 5-axis milling and gear grinding, and roles range from true 5-axis setup and conversational programming to Mazak turning, VTL work, Fanuc milling and close-tolerance manual turning.

The company offers medical, dental and vision coverage, a company HSA contribution, 401(k), life insurance, short- and long-term disability and guaranteed annual pay increases each February. Overtime is available but is not mandatory, and ongoing investment creates room to learn additional machines and processes.

⚙️ What you'll be working on

The Cicero team manufactures and finishes large precision gears and related components. Machinists work from shop orders, blueprints, models and machining instructions; set up fixtures and tooling; program or edit at the machine; run production; and inspect work throughout the process. The plant supports both repeat production and high-mix, low-volume jobs.

⭐ Shop highlights

• More than 100 years of precision gear manufacturing
• Approximately 200,000-square-foot Cicero facility
• Approximately $10 million invested in machinery over five years
• True 5-axis milling and large-part turning
• Climate-controlled 5-axis and gear-grinding area
• Components ranging from roughly one inch to 140 inches in diameter
• Optional overtime and guaranteed annual pay increases
• Diversified heavy-industrial customer base

🛠️ Machines & technology

CNC Mills: DMG Mori 5-axis mills with Siemens and CELOS; Fanuc-controlled vertical bridge mill and horizontal mill
CNC Lathes / Turning: Mazak Quick Turn, E-500 and Slant 60 machines with Mazatrol; Toshiba VTLs with Fanuc controls
Other Production Equipment: Gear hobbing, gashing, gear grinding, engine lathes, turret lathes and vertical boring mills
Specialized Software: GearMillPro for applicable gear-programming work

📏 Quality & inspection

Brad Foote is ISO 9001 registered and is known for quality-focused gear manufacturing. Machinists inspect work throughout the operation using precision-measuring tools and follow documented shop orders, blueprints and process instructions.

💼 Current CNC career opportunities

• CNC Machinist – 5-Axis / Mazak / VTL (2nd Shift)
• Manual Turning Machinist – Large Gears / VBM (1st Shift)

View current opportunities and apply through hireCNC.