Shape the Future of Flight as a CNC Turning Programmer

Location: San Jose, CA | Schedule: 1st Shift

TekPro is collaborating with a high-tech precision machining manufacturer in San Jose to hire an experienced CNC Turning Programmer. If you thrive on crafting reliable programs for complex, tight-tolerance parts and enjoy partnering with shop-floor teams to deliver first-pass quality, this opportunity is for you.

A Day in the Life

You’ll start your morning translating detailed drawings and CAD models into efficient CNC lathe toolpaths. After simulating your work and validating clearances, you’ll head to the floor to support setups and first article runs. Midday might find you fine-tuning feeds, speeds, or workholding to shave seconds off cycle time without sacrificing surface finish. In the afternoon, you’ll document revisions for ISO/AS9100 compliance, collaborate with quality on FAI, and coach machinists or junior programmers on best practices. Before you wrap, you’ll note opportunities for the next kaizen—maybe a new insert geometry or CAM strategy to boost repeatability.

What You’ll Do

• Create, prove out, and optimize CNC lathe programs for intricate aerospace components.
• Develop machining strategies from engineering drawings, CAD models, and GD&T.
• Program turning operations: facing, roughing, finishing, grooving, threading, drilling, and boring.
• Select tools, inserts, workholding, speeds, and feeds to balance cycle time, tool life, and quality.
• Simulate and verify programs to ensure accurate, efficient, and safe machine motion.
• Drive repeatable production results through robust programming and documentation.
• Partner with setup techs and machinists to implement, debug, and validate programs.
• Provide hands-on support during setups, first articles, and production troubleshooting.
• Collaborate with engineering and quality to resolve dimensional issues and meet customer requirements.
• Troubleshoot programming, tooling, workholding, and machining challenges on the floor.
• Maintain ISO/AS9100-compliant documentation: programs, tooling lists, setup sheets, and revisions.
• Champion continuous improvement to reduce setup time, cycle time, tooling cost, and scrap.
• Evaluate new CAM features, cutting tools, and methods to elevate capability and throughput.

Qualifications

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent; technical training or apprenticeship preferred.
• 5+ years of CNC machining experience with proven CNC lathe programming in production.
• Strong proficiency in G-code and CAM (Mastercam or comparable).
• Hands-on experience with CNC turning/lathe equipment.
• Expertise in reading drawings and CAD models with strong GD&T knowledge.
• Deep knowledge of turning tools, inserts, workholding, speeds/feeds, and best practices.
• History of programming and machining tight-tolerance parts.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving in a production setting.

Preferred

• Background in aerospace, defense, medical device, semiconductor, or other high-precision industries.
• Experience with multi-axis CNC lathes or mill-turn platforms.
• Familiarity with Lean/continuous improvement systems.
• Experience with ERP/MRP for production tracking and documentation.

Work Environment

• Mix of office-based programming and shop floor engagement.
• Exposure to machining conditions: noise, coolant, chips, and moving equipment.
• Occasional hands-on support during setups and production troubleshooting.
• Standard business hours with occasional overtime aligned to production needs.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Employer Match

Tools & Technologies

• CNC Lathe (2–4 axis)
• CNC Lathe (5+ axis)
• CAM Software (Mastercam)
• CAD/CAM

You should be proficient in: CNC Programming

Ready to build flight-grade components with a high-growth aerospace manufacturer? Apply now.