Start Your Career with Diamond Metals a division of Bico Steel At Diamond Metals, we take pride in our reputation for quality, reliability, and craftsmanship. Alongside our divisions, Integrity Fab & Machine and Integrity Die Sets, we offer a full range of steel processing, machining, fabrication, and die solutions to customers across multiple industries. We're looking for driven, team-oriented individuals who are ready to grow their careers in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. BICO Steel | Your Competitive Advantage Since 1896 Our Diamond Metals division is looking for a Lead CNC Mill Machinist / Programmer . Reporting to the Shift Supervisor and Operations Manager, this position provides technical leadership for CNC milling operations, including programming, process development and optimization, operator training, and day-to-day production support. Job Summary Diamond Metals is seeking an experienced Lead CNC Mill Machinist / Programmer to serve as the technical lead for CNC milling operations. This hands-on role ensures milling equipment is programmed, set up, and operated safely, accurately, and efficiently; provides daily technical direction and training to Mill Operators; and partners with production management to improve throughput, utilization, quality, and process consistency. Key Responsibilities

• Review the daily machine lineup and production schedule and assist management in coordinating work across the milling department
• Independently create, modify, optimize, and troubleshoot CNC machine programs based on part requirements, material specifications, drawings, and production needs
• Establish and optimize speeds, feeds, tooling, cutting parameters, workholding, and machining sequences for safe, efficient, and repeatable processes
• Perform and support complex machine setups, program prove-outs, and first-piece validation before production runs
• Diagnose and resolve programming, tooling, setup, dimensional, and machining-process issues; escalate equipment-repair issues to Maintenance
• Ensure machined parts meet drawings, specifications, tolerances, and quality requirements, including dimensional verification and inspection as required
• Provide technical direction, hands-on support, training, and mentoring to Mill Operators on programming, setups, tooling, machine operation, troubleshooting, and machining practices
• Assist management in evaluating operator competency and identifying training and development needs
• Develop, document, and standardize machining processes, programs, setups, and best practices across operators and shifts
• Identify and implement improvements in machine utilization, throughput, cycle time, tooling performance, material removal, and overall milling efficiency
• Monitor production progress and communicate anticipated scheduling, quality, tooling, or capacity issues to management
• Ensure effective shift handoffs covering work in process, machine status, programs, tooling requirements, and production priorities
• Reinforce expectations for safety, quality, productivity, housekeeping, and proper equipment care
• Perform other production and technical duties as required to support milling operations Required Qualifications
• Minimum of three to five years of experience operating CNC milling equipment or equivalent demonstrated experience
• Advanced proficiency in CNC machine programming, including independently creating, modifying, optimizing, and troubleshooting programs
• Ability to independently determine and optimize speeds, feeds, tooling, cutting parameters, and machining sequences
• Advanced blueprint-reading and dimensional-interpretation skills
• Strong knowledge of machining principles, tooling selection, workholding, setup methods, and dimensional inspection
• Ability to distinguish programming, tooling, setup, and process issues from equipment conditions requiring Maintenance support
• Demonstrated ability to train, mentor, and provide technical direction to machine operators Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with CAD/CAM programming software
• Previous lead experience coordinating workflow and developing CNC operators Skills & Competencies
• Advanced CNC programming, setup, tooling, and process-optimization expertise
• Strong problem-solving, communication, organizational, and technical-leadership skills
• Ability to balance direct machining responsibilities with programming, troubleshooting, operator development, and production support
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Production, Quality, Maintenance, Mill Operators, and management
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, quality, productivity, housekeeping, proper equipment care, and continuous improvement Work Environment & Physical Requirements
• Hands-on manufacturing role performed in a CNC milling department
• Work is coordinated with Shift Supervisors and the Operations Manager based on production schedules, customer requirements, and departmental priorities
• Perform operator-level inspections, cleaning, and routine equipment care; identify concerns and coordinate repair and preventive-maintenance needs with Maintenance
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area and ensure departmental housekeeping standards are followed
• Take ownership of milling operations' technical performance and continually improve safety, quality, machine utilization, throughput, and process consistency Compensation & Benefits
• Starting wage of $28.00-$32.00 per hour Additional Requirements
• Serve as the milling department's primary technical resource, provide day-to-day work direction, reinforce established operating standards, and communicate performance, safety, quality, or production concerns to management Equal Opportunity Statement BICO Steel is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Pay:

$28.00 - $32.00 per hour

Benefits:

401(k) Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person