Title: CNC Programmer/Machinist (Haas Mills & Lathes)

Location: Poway, California
Employment Type: Full-time, Direct Hire
Work Arrangement: On-site
Compensation: $35 $40 per hour, depending on experience

Position Overview

An established manufacturer in the Poway area is seeking an experienced CNC Programmer/Machinist to support both production machining and R&D prototype work.

This is a hands-on programming and machining position requiring someone who can take a part from an engineering drawing or CAD model through CAM programming, machine setup, program prove-out, machining, and initial inspection.

The company uses the latest version of Mastercam to program Haas CNC mills and lathes. This is not an operator-only or setup-only position; candidates must have practical experience creating CNC programs, performing complete setups, troubleshooting machining issues, and producing conforming parts.

Key Responsibilities

• Create CNC programs in Mastercam from engineering drawings, CAD models, specifications, and manufacturing requirements.
• Program Haas 3-axis vertical machining centers and CNC turning centers.
• Post, upload, verify, and troubleshoot programs at the machine.
• Perform complete machine setups, including tooling, fixtures, workholding, tool offsets, work offsets, and raw material.
• Run setup pieces and prove out new programs, tooling, and machining processes.
• Make G-code and M-code edits at the machine when required.
• Select appropriate cutting tools, toolholders, workholding, machining strategies, speeds, feeds, and cutting parameters.
• Machine production parts, prototype components, fixtures, tooling, and other R&D-related work.
• Inspect first pieces using standard precision measuring equipment and coordinate with Quality to confirm conformance.
• Troubleshoot dimensional, programming, tooling, cycle-time, surface-finish, and general machining problems.
• Develop or modify custom fixtures and workholding when needed.
• Create and maintain setup sheets, tool lists, programs, process instructions, and other manufacturing documentation.
• Provide manufacturability and machining-process feedback to engineering.
• Support improvements involving cycle time, tool life, setup reduction, quality, and process repeatability.
• Coordinate material, tooling, fixture, and outside-processing requirements with purchasing and other departments.
• Perform routine machine care and basic preventive maintenance.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized work area.

Required Qualifications

• Five or more years of CNC machining experience involving machine setup and operation in a manufacturing or precision-machining environment.
• At least two years of hands-on CNC programming experience.
• Experience creating CNC programs with Mastercam rather than only running or making minor edits to existing programs.
• Ability to independently program, set up, prove out, troubleshoot, and operate both CNC mills and CNC lathes.
• Experience with Haas machining centers, Haas turning centers, and Haas controls strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of G-code, M-code, work offsets, tool offsets, canned cycles, cutter compensation, and program troubleshooting.
• Experience programming and machining both 3-axis milled components and turned parts.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, CAD models, GD&T, dimensional tolerances, and manufacturing specifications.
• Strong working knowledge of cutting tools, toolholders, workholding, fixture design, speeds and feeds, and general machine-shop practices.
• Experience using precision measuring equipment such as calipers, micrometers, height gauges, bore gauges, indicators, thread gauges, and related inspection tools.
• Knowledge of threads, thread classes, fits, surface finishes, and close-tolerance machining.
• Ability to work independently while communicating effectively with engineering, quality, purchasing, production, and management.
• Strong troubleshooting, documentation, organization, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting both prototype and production machining.
• Experience developing custom fixtures, tooling, or workholding.
• Experience machining a variety of metals and engineering materials.
• Experience with horizontal machining centers, mill-turn equipment, live-tool lathes, or additional multi-axis equipment.
• Previous involvement in tooling optimization, cycle-time reduction, process development, or design-for-manufacturability reviews.
• Experience working within an established manufacturing quality system.

Education

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent work experience required.
• Technical coursework, vocational training, apprenticeship, or an associate degree in machining, manufacturing technology, or a related discipline is preferred.

Benefits

The company offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) matching
• Paid time off and company holidays
• Tuition reimbursement
• Wellness reimbursement
• Company-paid short-term disability and life insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Professional development and internal advancement opportunities