How to hire a machinist-set-up

How to hire a machinist-set-up, step by step

Here's a step-by-step machinist-set-up hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a machinist-set-up job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new machinist-set-up
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your machinist-set-up job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a machinist-set-up for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A machinist-set-up's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, machinist-set ups from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents machinist-set-up salaries for various positions.

   Type of Machinist-Set-Up	Description	Hourly rate
   Machinist-Set-Up	Machinists and tool and die makers set up and operate a variety of computer-controlled and mechanically controlled machine tools to produce precision metal parts, instruments, and tools.	$14-27
   Tool Technician	Tool technicians are skilled professionals who are responsible for repairing a variety of pneumatic and hand tools as well as disassemble defective electrical equipment in a manufacturing firm using these hand tools. These technicians are required to coordinate with other areas of the company to schedule and perform preventive maintenance duties... Show more	$13-29
   Grinder	Depending on the industry, a grinder has a diverse range of duties. Typically, they oversee setting up and operating bearing grinders, cam grinders, and CNC lathes... Show more	$12-19

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CNC Machines
   • Tolerances
   • Calipers
   • Lathe Machines
   • Grinders
   • Aluminum
   • Micrometers
   • Haas
   • Print Specifications
   • Aerospace
   • G Code
   • Brazing
   • FANUC
   • Mazak

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage output according to company quality standards and corresponding ISO certification.
   • Set up and run CNC lathe with dual spindles and live tooling, run parts with Tol.
   • Experience setting up and running Haas mill production.
   • Program, setup and operation of Haas milling machines
   • Machine parts to quality specifications using Mazak lathes.
   • Turn in first articals and run job to print and customer specs.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your machinist-set-up job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A machinist-set-up can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, machinist-set ups' average salary in oklahoma is 30% less than in new mexico.
   • Seniority. Entry-level machinist-set ups 47% less than senior-level machinist-set ups.
   • Certifications. A machinist-set-up with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a machinist-set-up's salary.

   Average machinist-set-up salary

   $42,559yearly

   $20.46 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level machinist-set-up salary

   $31,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 30, 2026

4. Writing a machinist-set-up job description

   A job description for a machinist-set-up role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a machinist-set-up job description:

   Machinist-set-up job description example

   **PDS Tech is currently seeking a** **CNC Horizontal Mill Setup Machinist** **for our client in Fremont, CA**
   
   **These are Direct Hire opportunities! Manufactures and supplies precision machined/fabricated parts and assemblies for the semiconductor capital equipment industry. Job location is onsite in Fremont, CA.**
   **WORK 36 HOURS GET PAID FOR 40!!**
   
   **EARN QUARTERLY PRODUCTIVITY BONUS!!!**
   
   **Detailed Description**
   
   **Performs tasks such as, but not limited to, the following:**
   
   Studying blueprints, sketches, drawings, manuals, specifications, or sample part to determine dimensions and tolerances of finished workpiece, sequence of operations, and setup requirements. Measuring, marking, and scribing dimensions and reference points on materials or workpiece as guides for subsequent machining. Selecting, aligning, and securing holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories, and materials on machines, such as mills, lathes, and grinders. Calculates and sets controls to regulate machining factors, such as speed, feed, coolant flow, and depth and angle of cut, or enters commands to retrieve, input, or edit computerized machine control media. Starts and observes machine operation to detect malfunctions or out-of-tolerance machining and adjusts machine controls or control media as required. May verify conformance of finished work piece to specifications, using precision measuring instruments. Setting up and operating machine on trial run to verify accuracy of machine settings or programmed control data. May fit and assemble parts into complete assembly, using jigs, fixtures, surface plate, surface table, hand tools, and power tools. Verifying dimensions and alignment of assembly, using measuring instruments, such as micrometers, height gauges and gauge blocks. May install machined replacement parts in mechanisms, machines, and equipment, and test operation of unit to ensure functionality and performance. May develop specifications from general description and draw sketch of part or product to be fabricated. May confers with engineers, production personnel, programmers, or others to resolve machining or assembly problems. Communicates with co-workers and supervisor to receive instructions and coordinate activities. Inspecting and measuring parts to gather statistical process control data. Set up of specialty equipment such as 5th axis, 90-degree angle heads and probes. Program parts using cad cam software and run parts complete per print
   
   **Weekend shift (6 AM - 6:30 PM Fri-Sun)**
   
   **Knowledge/Skills/Competencies** **:**
   
   + **Able to perform Horizontal Mill Setups independently**
   
   + In-depth knowledge and understanding of machine operations.
   
   + In-depth knowledge of product quality issues.
   
   + Ability to set up, operate, calibrate, and maintain machines and tools.
   
   + Familiar with commonly used concepts, practices, and procedures on a Horizontal Mill.
   
   + In-depth knowledge and understanding of **Horizontal Mill machine operations** , product quality issues, GDT, programs, macros & cam software.
   
   + Ability to recognize errors in the **g code** and make edits prior to machining the workplace.
   
   + Ability to work effectively with team members and lead the team to high quality production within tight deadlines.
   
   + **Expert w/ Mastercam Software or equivalent**
   
   **The operations manufacture parts from aluminum, titanium, copper, stainless steel, castings, and other materials. Manufacturing services include prototype, quick-turn, CNC turning and milling, assembly and testing, JIT, and Kanban. Sites are ISO 9001 compliant, which is recognized around the world as the model Quality Management System standard.**
   
   **Typical Experience:**
   
   Seven to ten years relevant experience
   
   **Typical Education:**
   
   High school diploma and additional courses after high school, or an equivalent combination of education and experience and a commitment towards further/additional education
   
   All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or other legally protected status.

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5. Post your job

   To find the right machinist-set-up for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with machinist-set ups they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit machinist-set ups who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your machinist-set-up job on Zippia to find and recruit machinist-set-up candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit machinist-set ups, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new machinist-set-up

   Once you've selected the best machinist-set-up candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new machinist-set-up. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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