Experienced Machinist (Fabricator/Technician)

Location

Fort Collins, CO | United States

Job description

Posting #: 2024 - 002

Date of posting: March 8th, 2024 

Location: Fort Collins, Colorado 80524

Residency Requirement: U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident (Green Card)

Time commitment: Full Time or Part Time optional

Travel requirements: None

Reporting structure: Reports directly to the VP of Engineering

Salary Range: $43,000 – $78,000 (depending on experience)

JOB DESCRIPTION

Are you a skilled Machinist looking to apply your expertise in a dynamic engineering environment? Our company is seeking a dedicated individual to join our team as a Machinist for our new machining and fabrication shop. In this role, you will embark on a career path that offers ample opportunities for diversity, growth, and advancement within our organization.

Our shop is newly created, so you can get in on the ground floor. The shop is largely to support Czero’s advanced engineering and research & development activities, where you will be exposed to a diverse assortment of projects that need custom and prototype parts fabricated. We are also extending our shop to the public, catering to a broader customer base, providing a wide array of challenges and opportunities for your creativity and innovation. While our primary objective is to find a skilled machinist, a well-rounded individual with the skills (or willingness to learn) to perform other fabrication and technician tasks is also highly preferred.

• We know it is crucial to have a skilled machinist in our shop to ensure the efficient operation and high-quality output of the facility. Your expertise not only guarantees precise machining of components but also contributes to problem-solving and innovation, laying a solid foundation for the shop's success and growth. You will utilize your technical proficiency to operate and maintain various machining equipment. Your primary responsibilities will include running the CNC machines, interpreting manufacturing drawings and specifications, setting up machinery, and producing precision parts to exact specifications.
• We are seeking a machinist who demonstrates adaptability and versatility in a dynamic environment, as our new machine shop may experience fluctuating workloads. This shop will operate as a job shop and will focus on small quantity orders and prototypes as opposed to high volume production. In addition to machining, you will likely be performing other fabrication tasks such as welding, sheet metal forming, etc. as well as providing laboratory support for highly technical energy-related projects. Alongside machining tasks, we need an individual who is willing to contribute to other engineering projects during periods of lower demand, maximizing productivity and fostering a collaborative spirit within the team. This might include welding, fabrication, assembling and wiring equipment and control panels, and supporting testing activities.
• If you are entrepreneurial-minded and eager to contribute to the development and expansion of our shop, you can play a vital role in shaping the direction of our growing machining and fabrication shop business. Whether it's identifying new opportunities, optimizing processes, or fostering client relationships, your innovative spirit and proactive approach will be instrumental in driving the success of our machine shop.

At Czero, we work on a wide variety of projects, for companies large and small, developing technological innovations and advancing mechanical, electrical, electromechanical, electrohydraulic and electrochemical systems and subsystems. We specialize in the engineering, design, and development of first- and second-stage prototype systems. On a given day, our projects may include high-efficiency powertrain systems, power generation, energy storage systems, large scale system integration, and packaging of precision laboratory instrumentation, to name a few.

The successful candidate will work with highly skilled engineers in a collaborative environment, supporting research and development projects for our clients. If you're passionate about contributing to innovative projects and thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, we encourage you to apply and become an integral part of our team.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

High School Degree or GED required. Advanced technical training, apprenticeship, certificate, or associate degree programs in precision machining is highly desirable.

Representative Tasks

• Operating the CNC machines and other equipment to produce precision parts and assemblies.
• Review manufacturing drawings and specifications to gain a thorough understanding of the requirements.
• Developing a plan of action (shop routing) to manufacture parts according to specifications.
• Setting up equipment including making custom fixturing required to complete each step of the manufacturing plan.
• Managing multiple jobs in the shop with a focus on quality and efficiency.
• Inspecting finished parts for flaws, defects, and conformance to the specifications.
• Measuring, preparing, and marking raw materials needed to manufacture parts.
• Maintaining equipment located throughout the machine shop.

Required Experience and Capabilities

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in a machine shop. Strong references expected.
• Machining Skills
  • Expertise in running CNC milling machines to produce precision parts. This includes machine setup, fixturing, tool setting, milling, and machine cleaning and maintenance.
  • Experience machining a wide variety of materials and the ability to adapt/adjust the manufacturing processes to optimize for the material.
  • Experience running manual mills.
  • Ability to manage multiple jobs and communicate with the internal team as well as customers.
  • Ability to take precise measurements of parts for part verification. Experience with metrology equipment preferred.
  • Math skills to take precise measurements and make calculations.
  • Knowledge of how to operate band saws, grinders, and other tools needed to prepare material or post process parts.
• Open to Performing/Learning other Fabrication/Technician Skills (welding, electric wiring, prototype assembly, test, etc).
• Work Approach
  • High performer.
  • Detail oriented.
  • Capable of working well with minimal supervision yet works well with team members.
  • Goal driven.
  • Willing to go the extra mile for the team.
• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills.
• Critical thinking skills to develop effective manufacturing plans based on specifications.
• Problem-solving skills to troubleshoot issues that arise during the manufacturing process.
• Ability to lift roughly 50 to 75 pounds and remain stationary throughout long periods of time.
• Can work under the pressure of deadlines.
• Understanding of health and safety regulations to reduce the risk of workplace accidents.

Additional consideration given to those with experience in these areas

• Machining certification from the National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) or similar.
• Experience running 4-axis CNC milling machines.
• Experience running CNC and /or manual lathes to produce precision parts.
• Experience with 3D CAD software.
• Experience with CNC programming using Fusion, Mastercam, or similar.
• Experience with Fanuc control systems.
• Experience with surface grinding.
• Experience with post processing (sandblasting, painting, powder coating, anodizing, etc.)
• Experience with metrology.
• Experience with calibration.
• Experience with welding, sheet metal forming, and other fabrication skills.
• Knowledge and experience with GD&T per ASME Y14.5.
• Business acumen to create quotes: calculate costs, determine pricing and terms to provide potential customers with accurate estimates for the goods and services.
• General Technician Skills
  • General fabrication and assembly of large systems.
  • Ability to assemble complex systems from prints.
  • Assembling high precision components.
• Pressurized Systems
  • Experience with high pressure hydraulic systems.
  • Experience with high pressure gas systems.
• Automotive Skills
  • Engine, transmission rebuilding.
  • Electric vehicle or hybrid experience.
  • General automotive.
• Electronic Skills
  • Wiring, soldering.
  • Working with electronic test equipment (meters, scopes, other instrumentation).
  • Basic electronic circuit skills and trouble shooting.
• Testing Skills
  • Capable of following test plans and running tests.
  • Organized and good communications skills.
• Computer Savvy
  • Skilled at working with computers and electronic instruments.
  • Capable of learning new electronic systems.
• Exceptional Mechanical Aptitude & Intuition
  • Fundamental understanding of mechanical systems.
  • Ability to quickly understand new, complex systems.
  • Ability to troubleshoot complex systems.

Residency Requirements

Must be U.S. citizen or a Permanent Resident (Green Card)

The right fit for our team

Beyond technical ability, we’re looking for someone who is smart, creative, innovative, hardworking, able to handle multiple projects at a time, and tenacious when it comes to a tough challenge. Everyone at Czero enjoys the challenge of tackling hard problems and is willing to put in the time and effort to solve them. Additionally, we have a true team environment, so it’s crucial that you can collaborate effectively with diverse team members.

Salary and Benefits

Czero offers a flexible and collaborative workplace with competitive salary and a generous benefits package, including:

• Employer sponsored health insurance
• Employer paid Long Term Disability
• 401k retirement plan with employer match.
• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off, accumulating from your first day.
• Annual discretionary bonus and salary adjustments

ABOUT CZERO

Czero is a dynamic, rapidly evolving engineering services/contract research and development firm committed to delivering high-quality solutions to our clients. Czero specializes in early-stage R&D in the areas of cleantech, energy, power generation, and transportation. We are 17 years old and have delivered on over 400 projects. Our clients include the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, National Labs, Universities, and companies of all sizes including start-ups. Our team takes on wide-ranging engineering challenges, developing new technologies and delivering high quality proof-of-concept prototype systems. We are passionate about the environment, and our work centers on scalable, cost-effective solutions to increase energy efficiency, improve energy storage and delivery, and decrease harmful emissions. Czero has a strong network of partner companies, suppliers, and university collaboration partners, including Colorado State University, often working with university researchers on cutting edge technology development. If you join our team, you will find Czero an interesting, challenging, and rewarding place to work. Your contributions will make a significant impact on high-profile projects that are positive for our clients, the environment, and the economy.

We celebrate employment equity and diversity. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals and do not discriminate based on disability, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or any other basis protected under federal, state, provincial or local laws. Czero is an equal opportunity employer.

RECRUITERS

Please do not contact us regarding this or other positions at Czero; we already have an established relationship with a great recruiting team. Thanks!

Job tags

Salary

$43k - $78k