Hire CNC Machinists

Time to shortlist is typically 2 weeks from scoping call. Total time to placement (shortlist through offer acceptance) is typically 3–4 weeks for direct hire; contract starts can be faster once the markup structure is agreed. 5-axis programmers on Inconel, Swiss specialists, off-shift seats at remote launch or test sites, and clearance requirements can add a week or two.

Most US CNC Machinists at aerospace, defense and space manufacturers land between $28 and $42 per hour ($58K–$87K annualized) at the setup-and-run level depending on metro and shift. 5-axis programmer-machinists, superalloy specialists and lead machinists typically run $40–$55 per hour ($83K–$115K with overtime and differentials), with CNC programmers on salary from $85K to $115K. These are market bands; we confirm live market bands during scoping. See our CNC machinist and aerospace welder salary guide for the full breakdown.

Yes. CNC Machinist seats run as direct hire, contract or temp-to-hire through our Recruiting Support model — the same verification, references and credential checks apply whether the machinist starts on your payroll or on contract for a rate ramp, a second-shift launch or a first-article surge. Ask us for the markup structure in writing on the scoping call.

A CNC Operator loads parts, presses cycle start, checks a few dimensions and calls for help when something drifts. A CNC Machinist owns the setup — fixturing, tooling, offsets, program edits and first article — and can run a new part number from print without a programmer standing beside the machine. Most aerospace shops need both; the machinist-to-operator ratio drives what we verify and what the seat should cost.

A dedicated CNC Programmer writes toolpaths in Mastercam or NX offline and hands the machinist a proven program; at many aerospace shops the senior machinist does both. A Manufacturing Engineer owns the routing, process plan, tooling strategy and cell layout the machinist works inside, and a Tooling Engineer designs the fixtures. We scope which of those duties sit in the machinist seat before we search.

It depends on the seat. NIMS CNC Milling and Turning credentials are a clean signal for setup-and-run machinists and are required by some defense primes and apprenticeship-based shops; launch and engine manufacturers weigh verified first-article and superalloy history on comparable parts more heavily. A NIMS credential held alongside real 5-axis setup ownership is the strongest combination. We confirm the requirement during scoping and verify credentials directly with NIMS.

Yes. Every CNC Machinist placement carries a replacement guarantee. Guarantee terms, including how they apply to contract and temp-to-hire starts, are confirmed in writing at engagement start.

Yes. Multi-hire builds (a lead machinist plus 5-axis, lathe and EDM machinists for a new engine or structures cell, or a full 2nd or 3rd shift ahead of a rate ramp) route through embedded recruiting or RPO. Adjacent seats — Aerospace Welders, NDT Technicians, Quality Engineers and Production Supervisors — can be scoped in the same engagement.