Overview

The CNC Programmer / Machinist supports daily machine-shop production by editing and troubleshooting G-code programs for CNC mills, lathes, and vertical turret lathes (VTLs). This hands-on role works closely with operators to resolve programming and tooling issues, assist with setups and work offsets, and adapt existing programs and workholding for new jobs.

The primary focus is responding quickly to production needs in a shop where approximately 98% of existing programs were manually written. CAM programming is beneficial, but the ability to understand existing code and make effective modifications is essential.

Responsibilities

• Edit and troubleshoot existing G-code programs for mills, lathes, and VTLs.
• Create new programs by copying and modifying existing programs to meet job requirements.
• Help operators set up machines, dial in work offsets, and resolve machine alarms, tooling issues, and program errors.
• Adapt and use existing fixtures, workholding, and custom jigs to reduce setup time and improve production.
• Interpret blueprints and identify drawing or model errors, providing feedback to engineering.
• Use micrometers, calipers, height gauges, and bore gauges to verify first-piece inspections.
• Research unfamiliar controller functions and existing programs to resolve issues independently.
• Serve at times as the primary contact for the machine-shop area.
• Support machine operation and program prove-outs when an operator is unavailable.
• Develop programs in SolidCAM as time and production priorities allow, selecting programming approaches that best support timely production.

Required Qualifications

• Machinist background with demonstrated CNC programming experience.
• Ability to edit existing G-code on mills, lathes, and VTLs and create new programs from existing programs.
• Experience working with existing shop fixtures, workholding, and custom jigs.
• Ability to interpret blueprints and recognize drawing or model discrepancies.
• Proficiency with precision measuring tools for first-piece inspection.
• Ability to work across different controllers and independently research unfamiliar functions. The shop uses Fanuc, Mitsubishi, Okuma, and Giddings & Lewis; experience with every controller is not required.
• Strong communication and troubleshooting skills, with the ability to work directly alongside operators and respond to last-minute production needs.
• Willingness to take responsibility for shop support and act as the area’s primary contact when needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• SolidCAM experience for mills and lathes, or proficiency with other CAM software.
• Four-axis milling and live-tooling experience.
• Ability to run machines independently to prove programs when operators are unavailable.