Head Machinist

Position : Head Machinist

Location : Portland, Oregon

Company : Paladin Engineering

Employment Type : Full-Time, On-site

About Paladin Engineering

Paladin Engineering is a Portland-based engineering and product development company specializing in precision mechanical systems. Our bike brand, Paladin Bikes, produces high-performance machined mountain bikes and components. We combine advanced machining, innovative design, and meticulous craftsmanship to deliver machines and mountain bikes that perform at the highest level.

We are seeking a

Head Machinist

to own the fabrication of our bike parts, from prototype through production, and support our engineering projects in robotics and other industries. This is a hands-on machinist role focused on CAM and producing complex, multi-axis components from one-off applications to small batch production. Strong CAD skills and leadership experience are a major plus to support our team growth and expansion of our capabilities.

Responsibilities

Machining & Production

Program, set up, and operate multi-axis CNC mills and lathes for bike components.

Interpret 3D CAD models and technical drawings to produce complex, tight-tolerance parts.

Select tooling and fixtures to optimize part quality and machining efficiency.

Maintain process and inspection standards.

Maintain a well-organized shop environment including equipment, tooling and materials inventories.

Support assembly of bike frames and other machines as needed.

Support the selection of new machining centers as our company grows.

CAD & Design Support

Collaborate with engineers to optimize DFM and other engineering objectives.

Create and maintain fixture CAD models and documentation as necessary for production.

Sufficient skills to adjust and maintain bike and engineering component CAD are a plus.

Leadership & Collaboration

Lead machining operations and coordinate work with junior machinists and technicians.

Mentor team members in advanced machining techniques and best practices.

Contribute to continuous improvement in workflows, setups, and part quality.

Sufficient leadership aptitude to advance into a production manager role is a plus.

Qualifications

7+ years of machining experience with 3+ years of experience programming for

multi-axis mills

Aptitude for programming and fixture design for complex geometries.

Strong understanding of GD&T, tolerances, and precision measurement.

Experience in prototype or low-volume production environments.

Leadership or mentoring experience is highly desirable.

Extensive CAD experience is highly desirable.

Stoke for mountain bikes is a plus.

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive pay based on experience.

Tight-knit, collaborative, and hands-on work environment.

Opportunities for professional growth and advanced machining projects.

Health insurance, paid time off and company holidays.

Please submit a pdf portfolio with images of your work. Personal projects welcome. We appreciate skill and craft in many fields.