CNC Programmer

Job Details

Prototype & Low-Volume Precision Machining | San Diego, CA

Salary: $30 - $40 per hour

Founded more than two decades ago and based in San Diego, we are a locally operated precision manufacturing company specializing in low-volume, high-quality prototyping and machining. We support customers in aerospace, defense, automation, energy, healthcare, homeland security, and X-ray inspection by transforming drawings and CAD models into finished components. Our broader capabilities include tooling and fixtures, fabrication, welding, CAD support, design consultation, mechanical assembly, and part verification.

• Program custom, complex components in a high-mix prototype and short-run environment
• Work with a broad variety of materials, geometries, and customer requirements
• Influence machining strategy, tooling, work holding, cycle time, and manufacturability
• Collaborate directly with machinists, leadership, and customers on production challenges
• Work across milling, turning, tooling, fixture, and prototype applications
• Join a locally operated precision manufacturing team with more than 20 years of history

• Develop and optimize CNC programs for mills and/or lathes using customer drawings, CAD models, and manufacturing specifications.
• Create safe and efficient machining strategies for prototype, one-off, and low-volume components.
• Select cutting tools, feeds, speeds, work holding, and operation sequences based on geometry, material, tolerance, and machine capability.
• Generate, review, and validate toolpaths using the company’s designated CAD/CAM platform.
• Produce setup sheets, tooling lists, operation instructions, and other documentation needed by setup machinists.
• Review drawings and models for dimensions, tolerances, GD&T, material specifications, and potential manufacturability concerns.
• Perform program prove-outs and support first-article production at the machine.
• Troubleshoot dimensional, finish, tooling, collision-risk, and cycle-time issues.
• Revise programs and machining processes based on inspection results and operator feedback.
• Make or support manual G-code edits when necessary.
• Design or recommend fixtures, soft jaws, and custom work holding for complex components.
• Collaborate with machining, quality, engineering, and leadership personnel to prioritize jobs and resolve technical issues.
• Improve cycle times, tool life, setup efficiency, and overall process reliability without compromising quality.
• Maintain organized program revisions, setup documentation, tool libraries, and manufacturing records.
• Provide machining and design-for-manufacturability input during the quoting or preproduction process when requested.
• Assist and mentor setup machinists in program execution and machining best practices.

High school diploma or equivalent; an associate degree, technical diploma, apprenticeship, or CNC programming certification is preferred.

Minimum 3–5 years of CNC programming experience in precision manufacturing.

Experience programming CNC mills and/or CNC lathes from drawings and 2D/3D CAD models.

Strong CAD/CAM experience; exact software platform to be confirmed with the client.

Experience in a fast-paced, high-mix, low-volume job shop is strongly preferred.

Strong understanding of machining processes, cutting tools, feeds and speeds, work holding, and operation sequencing.

Ability to read complex blueprints, dimensional tolerances, and GD&T.

Working knowledge of G-code and machine-level program editing.

Experience supporting program prove-outs, first-article machining, and dimensional corrections.

Ability to develop clear setup sheets and operator instructions.

Experience programming multiple materials, including aluminum and stainless…