CNC Programmer

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.