CNC Programmer and Machinist

Knafs is a goofy little company that makes interesting pocket knife schtuff. We’re a small operation with 10 employees launching this rocket ship to glory in Clearfield, Utah. We sell our products on , Kickstarter, Amazon, and to 50+ dealers across the world.

The Job:

We need someone who dreams in feeds and speeds. Work holding is their happy place. This person finds chips and tumbling media enchanting. Their nightmares involve chatter and trying to remember if they turned off the compressor. We need a tinkerer, troubleshooter, and dependable leader who is ready to build a shop. We’re creating Phase II of our domestic manufacturing, and we need a jack-of-all-trades who has experience as a programmer, machinist, researcher, and dadgummit-problem-solver.

This will be a skeleton crew shop at the beginning, but the sky’s the limit. This person will work closely with our existing contract manufacturing engineer to mentor and train on our current process. We need someone who knows how to self direct and level up. Must love coolant, calipers, precision knife manufacturing, and space kitties.

Responsibilities:

• Machine: program, set-up, and run 3 axis mills including a Syil X7 named CNC3PO and 2 future mills (probably a Haas VF2 and a Mini Mill, but we’re still deciding). We’ll let you name the next mill if you join our Crew.
• Manage: expectations, production timelines (we use Trello), prototypes, more prototypes, machine maintenance, and shop cleanliness.
• Create:
  Create and modify programs in Fusion
  360. Someday we might be fancy enough for Solidworks and Master Cam, but have you seen the prices on that schtuff? We’re still wildly scrappy.
• Quality: make sure all parts are precise and within spec. Knife people are picky. We must also be picky, fastidious even.
• Communication: use in-person conversations, messages, email, project management, or a good ‘ol phone call to communicate ideas, challenges, and progress.
• Curiosity:
  This is a big deal. Asking “what if?” and “could we?” are critical. This is not a passive job where management gives you strict parameters for everything; we’re building the system together in real-time.
• Use Fusion
  360 to design 3D models, drawings, and specifications for fixtures and work holding. Create fixtures. Test fixtures. Redesign fixtures. Make it happen. Constantly improves processes.
• Accurate measuring tool use (for instance: micrometers, calipers, eyes, hands, gut, etc,) to create tight tolerances
• Set up and operate: CNC and manual mills, surface grinders, belt grinders, lathes, drill presses, tumblers, sand blasters, band saws, and that janky arbor press setup (also: it’s not janky if it works, eh?).
• Knowledge of G-Code, machine offsets, and part location.
• Ability to create and read engineering drawings.
• Knowledge of materials and material properties:
  • Knife steels: how heat affects steel.
  • Composite handle materials:
    Micarta, G10, Ultem, etc.
• Education:
  
  3-5 years of work experience. Certificates and formal training are helpful, but degrees from the school of hard knocks are also perfectly acceptable, provided the skills and work experience line up.
• Able to work in a manufacturing environment, and sit or stand for long periods. Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. Comfortable with pocket knives.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Notes on the Company:

We run on these core values:

• Dependable - We do it right
• Scrappy - Solutions from elbow grease and basic tools
• Kind - Make their day
• Humble - Willing to listen, learn, and teach
• Employee discounts on everything we make
• Growth:
  Knafs is on a wild growth pattern right now. We’re seeing cool things happen, and we need people who are willing to grow with us. We can’t promise you the Moon, but that’s where we’re headed