CNC Machinist Apprentice

Overview

We are hiring an up-and-coming Junior CNC Machinist to join our established, ISO-certified custom steel processing and precision machining company in Birmingham. We operate across two advanced facilities and pride ourselves on being a true high-mix, low-volume shop. Here, you will work around incredibly unique, large-format machines manufacturing critical parts for top-tier clients in the aerospace, defense (DoD), commercial space exploration, and custom machine-building industries.

At PGI Steel, we recognize early talent when we see it, and we believe in making intentional investments to grow our people. We are not a mass-production, button-pushing house. We are a custom job shop where machinists own their work end-to-end—from performing complex setups and editing code to rigorous final inspections.

We know that mastering these skills takes time, experience, and the right environment. If you have the machining fundamentals down and are looking for a shop that will actively invest in your future, train you on complex setups, and grow your skillset day over day, this is the place for you.

If you are ready to truly grow your career in machining alongside great people who want to see you succeed, please reach out and let's chat details.

Compensation

• Base Pay: $23 - $28 / hr
• 2nd Shift Differential: +$4 / hr

Shifts

• 1st Shift: Monday – Friday, 6:00am - 2:30pm
• 2nd Shift: Monday – Thursday, 2:30pm - 1:00am

Key Responsibilities

As you train and expand your capabilities, your responsibilities will include:

• Set Up & Operate: Set up and run 3-axis CNC mills to machine custom steel plates and heavy weldments, scaling up to our large-format double-column machines and indexable heads as you grow.
• End-to-End Ownership: Run work from raw plate to finished part—setup, run, troubleshoot, inspect, and document.
• Programming & Editing: Read and interpret technical drawings and job travelers. Utilize your knowledge of G-code and M-code to make edits and adjustments directly at the machine controller (FANUC experience is a plus) to optimize cuts.
• Workholding & Rigging: Learn and build effective workholding strategies, including complex magnet setups. Safely operate forklifts and remote overhead cranes to maneuver heavy plates and large workpieces.
• Precision & Quality: Hold tight tolerances depending on customer specs. Perform rigorous self-inspections at the machine using your own precision manual tools (micrometers, box calipers, slide dial calipers, etc.).
• Maintenance: Conduct routine machine maintenance, calculate proper speeds and feeds for varied materials, and troubleshoot dimensional or tooling issues on the fly.

Qualifications

This profile is ideal for a machinist with strong custom-shop fundamentals who is ready to step up into larger, more complex work with a team that has their back.

• 3+ years of machining experience, specifically in a custom job shop or steel processing environment.
• Ability to run your own setups on 3-axis mills and handle medium-complexity parts independently.
• Solid print reading skills and confidence using manual inspection tools to verify your own work.
• Ability to read G&M code, make basic offsets/edits at the control, and navigate machine variables safely

Benefits

• Health, Dental, and Vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match AND Profit Sharing
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Maternity/Paternity leave