Job at a glance
POSITION SUMMARY The CNC Programmer develops, modifies, validates, and maintains CNC programs for Decavo's 3-, 4-, and 5-axis machining centers used to manufacture aluminum tooling and trim composite parts. This position determines tooling, workholding, feeds, speeds, machining sequences, and toolpaths; creates clear setup documentation; and supports machinists during program prove-out and production.
The CNC Programmer works closely with Production, Engineering, and Quality to improve manufacturability, quality, productivity, and schedule performance; and may occasionally set up and operate CNC equipment to validate programs or support production requirements. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES CNC PROGRAMMING AND PROCESS DEVELOPMENT Create, modify, and maintain CNC programs using Mastercam or comparable CAD/CAM software for aluminum-tooling and composite-trimming operations.
Translate engineering drawings, CAD models, specifications, work instructions, and GD&T requirements into safe, repeatable, and efficient machining processes. Determine appropriate tooling, workholding, machining sequences, feeds, speeds, stepovers, depths of cut, and toolpaths with input from Engineering and Production as appropriate. Simulate and verify programs to identify collisions, overtravel, gouging, excess material, or other risks before release to production.
Develop and maintain setup sheets, tool lists, workholding instructions, program notes, and other documentation needed for consistent execution. Maintain CNC program revision control, naming conventions, approvals, backups, and release status in accordance with document-control requirements. Optimize programs and machining methods to improve cycle time, tool life, quality, repeatability, and equipment utilization.
Troubleshoot program, post-processor, tooling, workholding, and machining issues and implement approved corrections. Occasionally set up and operate CNC equipment to prove out programs, manufacture aluminum tooling, or support production requirements. PRODUCTION AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT Work closely with Engineering to review designs for manufacturability, machining capability, tolerance requirements, and efficient processing.
Provide technical support to machinists during setup, first-piece production, tool changes, offset adjustments, and troubleshooting. Communicate foreseeable programming, tooling, capacity, and schedule constraints to the CNC Machining Manager and propose practical solutions. Coordinate programming priorities with the CNC Machining Manager to support production schedules and customer requirements. Provide training and guidance to machining personnel on approved programs, setup documentation, tooling strategies, and process changes.
QUALITY AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT Support first-piece and in-process verification using approved drawings, specifications, work instructions, and precision measuring instruments. Partner with Quality and Engineering to investigate nonconformances, determine root causes, and implement corrective actions related to CNC programs and machining processes. Follow applicable AS9100 procedures, customer requirements, export-control requirements, and document-control practices.
Identify and implement continuous-improvement opportunities involving programming standards, tooling, workflows, cycle time, quality, and yield. Operate CNC equipment in accordance with established safety procedures, work instructions, machine-guarding requirements, and manufacturer guidance. Maintain clean and orderly work areas and promptly address or report equipment damage, unsafe conditions, and potential foreign-object debris.