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CNC Machinist I/II (2nd Shift, M-F 2:40pm-11:10pm)

Woodward · Niles, IL · $16.49–$28.60 an hour · Full time

Posted Jul 31, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

This is third shift, 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. How have you handled overnight work before, and what helps you stay sharp?

What they are checking: Whether they can work nights reliably and safely, which this schedule depends on.

Tell me about a time you made a scrap part. What happened and what did you learn?

What they are checking: Whether they own errors honestly and change their process, which matters on costly aerospace parts.

What would you do

Your part starts measuring out of tolerance halfway through a run. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they stop, find the cause like tool wear or heat, and protect quality instead of pushing parts through.

How do you hand off a job to the next shift so they can pick up without problems?

What they are checking: Whether they communicate clearly across shifts so setups, issues and counts are not lost.

About the work

What CNC machines and controls have you run, and what was the most complex part you made on them?

What they are checking: Whether their real machine experience matches a Machinist I, II or III level at Woodward.

Walk me through how you set up a job from a blueprint, from reading the print to running the first piece.

What they are checking: Whether they know the full setup sequence, including offsets, tooling and first-piece inspection.

How do you read GD&T callouts like true position or flatness, and how do you check them?

What they are checking: Whether they understand geometric tolerances well enough to make aerospace parts that pass inspection.

What measuring tools do you use most, and how do you make sure they're giving you good readings?

What they are checking: Whether they use micrometers, bore gauges and indicators correctly and respect calibration.

Have you edited G-code or adjusted offsets at the machine? Tell me about a change you made and why.

What they are checking: Whether they can make safe, sensible program and offset changes rather than only pressing cycle start.

What safety habits do you follow around a running CNC machine?

What they are checking: Whether they take machine guarding, chip handling and PPE seriously every time.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Woodward from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

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The full job description

As published by Woodward.

0 Woodward is committed to creating a great workplace for all team members. Our company and its members are committed to acting with integrity, being respectful and accountable to one another, and staying humble and driven, while maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards. We are steadfastly committed to attracting the best talent across our communities, creating a rewarding workplace. Together we are fulfilling our purpose to design and deliver energy control solutions our partners count on to power a clean future. Woodward supports our members’ wellbeing and regularly benchmarks with other companies in our industry to offer an extensive Total Reward package for this position. Salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. • Estimated base pay: • Machinist I - $16.49 - $28.60 • Machinist II - $17.15 - $33.28 • Open to leveling up role and pay to a Level III • Hours: 2nd Shift (2:40pm-11:10pm) • All members included in cash bonus opportunity • 401(k) match (4.5%) • Annual Woodward stock contribution (5%) • Tuition reimbursement and Training/Professional Development opportunities for all members • 12 paid holidays • Industry leading medical, dental, and vision Insurance upon date of hire • Vacation / Sick Time / Vacation Buy-up / Short Term Disability / Bereavement leave • Paid parental leave • Adoption Assistance • Employee Assistance Program, including mental health benefits • Member Life & AD&D / Long Term Disability / Member Optional Life • Member referral bonus • Spouse / Child Optional Life / Optional AD&D / Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending • Voluntary benefits, including: • Home / Auto Insurance discounts • Whole Life Insurance / Critical Illness Insurance / Legal Assistance / Military Leave Are you ready to make your mark? If you’re a Machinist, we have an exciting opportunity for you. What you will be doing • Set up and operate one or more of the following machines: • CNC Lathe Machines • CNC Mill/Turn Machines • CNC OD/ID Grinders • Complete paperwork while adhering to record retention requirements. • Document nonconforming material according to procedures, participate in activities to implement root cause and corrective actions identified. • Utilize work instructions, set-up sheets and method documents to correctly operate machines and inspect machined parts. • Utilize various gauging equipment to ensure conformance to the engineering specifications and standards through the production run. • Obtain certifications as necessary for required processes. What We Are Looking For • Machinist I: • High School Diploma- Required • 0-2 years’ experience in related work or applicable degree • General knowledge of machines and equipment functionality, and how tools could be used on such equipment/machines. This includes the ability to learn new systems quickly, understanding how parts relate, and how they impact system functionality. • Knowledge of CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) programming/machining including the ability to read, understand, edit basic programs and/or basic knowledge of one or more of the following skills - grinding, turning, milling, drilling. • Machinist II: • High school diploma or equivalent required • 2-5 years' experience in related work • Knowledge of and ability to apply inspection techniques (e.g., formalized inspection standards, inspection instructions, best practices) and use inspection tools efficiently. The ability to read and use micrometers, functional and cylindrical gauges, comparators, indicator setups, calibration stickers and scales. • Intermediate ability to read, interpret and use the information presented in drawings, diagrams and blueprints to determine appropriate activities, tools, and next steps in the production process. • Intermediate knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing such as perpendicularity, parallelism, flatness. This includes the ability to interpret tolerances on prints and perform inspection techniques. This includes the ability to interpret datum structures, material condition tolerances, orientation tolerances. • Knowledge of CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) programming/machining including the ability to read, understand, edit basic programs and/or basic knowledge of one or more of the following skills - grinding, turning, milling, drilling. • General knowledge of machines and equipment functionality, and how tools could be used on such equipment/machines. This includes the ability to learn new systems quickly, understanding how parts relate, and how they impact system functionality. This also includes process optimization or the ability to identify opportunities to improve current production processes and to implement the necessary steps for the improvements. • The ability to define, diagnose, and resolve problems. This includes the ability to acquire and apply new knowledge and skills and the ability to integrate knowledge of current resources and constraints, priorities and manufacturing processes. This position requires use of information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).   All applicants must be U.S. Persons within the meaning of the ITAR and EAR, or eligible to obtain all required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce.  The ITAR defines a U.S. Person as a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident (i.e., 'Green Card holder'), or a protected person (e.g., asylee, or refugee). Woodward is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other category protected under federal, state, or local laws.

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