Senior Advanced Machinist

Basic Qualifications

Technical certificate or 7 years of experience or equivalent is required.

CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS:Applicants selected will be subject to a U.S. Government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Due to the nature of work performed within our facilities, U.S. citizenship is required.

Responsibilities for this Position

Developing mission-critical systems that help keep people safe is what we do. At General Dynamics Mission Systems, you’ll be part of the team that helps heroes make a true impact. The work we do is important. The challenges we face are career-defining. The opportunity we can offer is one-of-a-kind. We apply advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, AR/VR, Cloud Native and Quantum Physics to solve our customers’ missions in cyber, RF, undersea, interstellar and everything in between.

As a Machinist for General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) Precision Structures & Optics (PSO) located in Cullman, AL, you’ll be a member of a cross functional team responsible for manufacturing Beryllium products for use in the most demanding applications, across the aerospace, defense, and nuclear industries. Our products are used in high performance sensing systems for targeting and acquisition, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, and are hardened for the battlefield environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Set up and operate CNC and manual equipment, including mills, lathes and grinders as required.
• Produce precision components to close tolerances when specified by engineering drawings.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), setup sheets, routers, and work instructions.
• Follow approved manufacturing procedures, machining sequences, inspection requirements, and revision-controlled documentation. Obtain authorization before deviating from established instructions.
• Perform complex setups using appropriate tooling, fixtures, and workholding methods to maintain accuracy and repeatability.
• Establish and verify tool offsets and work coordinates; select or adjust speeds and feeds within approved process requirements.
• Load and verify CNC programs and perform controlled prove-outs in accordance with established procedures. Make only authorized program changes.
• Monitor tool wear, dimensional variation, surface finish, and part distortion; make authorized adjustments to maintain conformance.
• Troubleshoot complex machining and setup issues and collaborate with manufacturing engineering, programming, and quality personnel when resolution requires additional support.
• Identify and report nonconforming conditions, segregate affected material, and obtain approved disposition before rework or continued processing.
• Mentor less-experienced machinists in setup techniques, precision measurement, troubleshooting, and adherence to approved procedures.
• Recommend improvements to tooling, setups, and machining methods through established review and approval processes.
• Follow all applicable safety, housekeeping, and machine-guarding requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Precision machining experience, including independent setup and operation of both CNC and manual equipment.
• Engineering drawing interpretation and GD&T, including datum structures, position, profile, flatness, perpendicularity, and runout.
• CNC controls and G-code interpretation.
• Cutting-tool selection, workholding principles, and machining characteristics of commonly used aerospace materials.
• Independently completing complex CNC and manual machine setups.
• Consistently holding close tolerances and achieving specified surface finishes.
• Applying shop mathematics, geometry, and trigonometry to machining and inspection tasks.
• Following detailed procedures and work instructions without unauthorized deviations.
• Maintaining accurate records and communicating technical information clearly.
• Work independently while recognizing when engineering, quality, or supervisory guidance is required.
• Maintain sustained attention to detail during complex and repetitive operations.
• Recognize process variation and take timely action to prevent nonconforming product.
• Demonstrated experience producing complex components to close tolerances.
• Aerospace or other high-precision manufacturing experience preferred.
• Familiarity with AS9100 quality requirements.
• Experience interpreting coordinate measuring machine (CMM) inspection reports.

Salary Note

This estimate represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors (geographic location, etc.). Actual pay may vary. This job posting will remain open until the position is filled.

Combined Salary Range

USD $38.90 - USD $42.67 /Hr.

Company Overview

General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) engineers a diverse portfolio of high technology solutions, products and services that enable customers to successfully execute missions across all domains of operation. With a global team of 12,000+ top professionals, we partner with the best in industry to expand the bounds of innovation in the defense and scientific arenas. Given the nature of our work and who we are, we value trust, honesty, alignment and transparency. We offer highly competitive benefits and pride ourselves in being a great place to work with a shared sense of purpose. You will also enjoy a flexible work environment where contributions are recognized and rewarded. If who we are and what we do resonates with you, we invite you to join our high-performance team!

Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans