Advanced CAM Programmer and Machining Optimization Engineer
Is this you?
- You’re the engineer who stands at the machine and asks: Can we make it faster? More reliable? Reduce tooling cost? Improve quality? Automate it?
- You translate prints and GD&T into stable, high‑throughput CNC processes—then keep refining.
- You partner with machinists, programmers, and automation techs to push performance.
Role Snapshot
- Own the development, programming, prove‑out, and optimization of CNC machining processes for production.
- Create and edit CNC programs using Mastercam (and other CAM), including toolpaths and posts.
- Define machining strategies, feeds/speeds, tooling, workholding, and fixturing.
- Improve existing lines for cycle time, throughput, tool life, quality, and OEE.
- Engineer and refine turnkey machining and automation solutions from concept to steady‑state.
- Support prove‑outs, run‑offs, installations, and customer acceptance.
- Diagnose part quality issues, chatter, dimensional variation, chip control, tool wear, and machine performance.
- Collaborate across CNC programming, machining, controls, automation, and customer teams.
- Standardize processes and author clear documentation.
- Select tools, fixtures, and workholding for new applications.
- Analyze production data to drive improvements and cost reductions.
- Integrate CNCs with robotics, automated material handling, and other manufacturing systems.
- Participate in commissioning and production launches.
- Conduct tests; capture results, lessons learned, and recommendations.
- Provide in‑field troubleshooting and optimization support.
- Stay current on machining tech, tooling, CAM strategies, and best practices.
End‑to‑End Thinking (Turnkey)
Beyond G‑code, you’ll design the whole flow:
- Part handling and material flow
- Machine selection/configuration
- CNC programming
- Tool selection/management
- Workholding/fixturing
- Robotics/machine tending
- Cycle‑time optimization
- Chip/coolant management
- Inspection and quality requirements
- Process reliability/repeatability
- Operator interaction
- Production throughput
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related; or equivalent hands‑on industry experience.
- Several years of professional CNC programming and machining.
- Strong command of milling and/or turning.
- Production‑focused CNC program development and optimization experience.
- Depth in cutting tools, feeds/speeds, workholding, fixturing, and machining fundamentals.
- Systematic troubleshooting approach.
- Hands‑on work at the machine during programming/prove‑out/optimization.
- Analytical problem‑solver; able to interpret drawings, GD&T, and mfg docs.
- Clear communicator; effective with customers and cross‑functional partners.
- Willingness to travel and work in active manufacturing environments.
Preferred Background
- Mastercam programming, toolpath optimization, and post‑processing
- HAAS and/or Okuma CNCs
- Fanuc controls
- Multi‑axis (4‑ and 5‑axis) machining
- CNC turning and milling
- High‑speed machining
- Complex fixturing/workholding design
- Robotic machine tending
- Automated material handling
- CNC machine integration and machine vision
- Process simulation/verification
- Tool management and tool‑life optimization
- Production machining environments
- Turnkey automation projects
Key Competencies
- CNC programming (G‑Code/M‑Code)
- Mastercam and CAM methodologies
- Process development
- Machining optimization
- Milling and turning
- Toolpath, feeds, and speeds optimization
- Cutting tool selection
- Workholding and fixturing
- Cycle‑time reduction
- Process troubleshooting and root‑cause analysis
- Turnkey manufacturing systems
- Robotics and automation
- Production launch
- Continuous improvement
- Customer technical support
Travel & Work Environment
Expect hands‑on work with CNC machinery, automation, tooling, and cutting fluids, plus travel to customer sites for process development, prove‑outs, installations, commissioning, and production launches.
Why You’ll Like It Here
Own challenging CNC machining and automation projects end‑to‑end. Shape outcomes through programming, process development, turnkey integration, and relentless optimization. Work directly with advanced CNC and automation technologies—making measurable impact on performance, efficiency, and customer success.
You Should Be Proficient In
- GD&T
- Equipment Troubleshooting
- Troubleshooting Skills
- CNC Programming
- G‑Code
- Design for Assembly (DFA)
- M‑Code
Machines & Technologies You’ll Use
- 3D Modeling
- gibbscam
- mastercam
Ready to turn great code into great parts? Let’s talk.