CNC Engineer

CNC EngineerThe CNC Engineer is responsible for providing engineering and technical support for CNC machining processes and equipment used in the manufacturing of aluminum wheels. This position focuses on CNC programming, process development, tooling, machine capability, cycle-time optimization, quality improvement, new product launches, and continuous improvement.The CNC Engineer works closely with Production, Quality, Maintenance, Tooling, and other Engineering personnel to develop and optimize machining processes that meet safety, quality, productivity, and cost requirements. This position supports the introduction of new products and equipment, investigates machining and process-related issues, develops corrective actions, and identifies opportunities to improve process capability, efficiency, repeatability, and overall equipment effectiveness.Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesFollows all company safety policies, procedures, and work practices and actively contributes to a safe, clean, and organized work environment.Provides engineering and technical support for CNC machining operations, equipment, tooling, fixtures, and associated manufacturing processes.Develops, reviews, modifies, and optimizes CNC programs and machining parameters to meet product specifications and production requirements.Evaluates machining processes to improve cycle time, throughput, repeatability, dimensional accuracy, surface finish, tool life, and overall process capability.Develops and establishes machining parameters, feeds, speeds, tooling requirements, offsets, work holding methods, and process standards.Provides engineering support during machine changeovers and production changes, including tooling, programming, machine parameters, offsets, fixtures, and process validation when changing wheel types or product configurations.Troubleshoots CNC machining and process-related issues affecting product quality, dimensional accuracy, cycle time, scrap, throughput, and production performance.Performs root-cause analysis of recurring machining defects, process variation, tooling failures, and equipment-related process concerns and develops effective corrective and preventive actions.Analyzes production and process data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement in quality, productivity, scrap, cycle time, tooling cost, and equipment utilization.Works closely with Quality to investigate dimensional and machining-related defects and establish corrective actions that improve process capability and product consistency.Develops and implements process improvements that increase manufacturing efficiency, improve quality, reduce scrap, decrease cycle time, extend tool life, and reduce manufacturing costs.Identifies opportunities for automation, error-proofing, process optimization, and equipment modernization and supports implementation of approved improvements.Applies engineering principles to evaluate CNC machine and process capability and recommends improvements to safety, quality, throughput, repeatability, reliability, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).Evaluates cutting tools and tooling performance and works with suppliers to improve tool life, machining performance, quality, and cost.Supports the development and implementation of new CNC machining processes for new products, product changes, and continuous improvement projects.Develops technical requirements and specifications for CNC equipment, tooling, fixtures, machine upgrades, controls, and related engineering projects.Reads and interprets engineering drawings, GD&T, machine drawings, electrical schematics, control diagrams, and other technical documentation necessary to support CNC processes and equipment.Collaborates with Maintenance when equipment-related problems affect machining performance and assists in determining whether concerns are related to equipment condition, programming, tooling, controls, or manufacturing processes.Develops and maintains process documentation, including setup sheets, work instructions, CNC program revisions, tooling information, process parameters, engineering changes, and validation records.Ensures appropriate backups and revision control are maintained for CNC programs, machine parameters, and other critical process information.Works with equipment manufacturers, tooling suppliers, integrators, contractors, and other technical resources to resolve machining issues and implement process improvements.Performs other related engineering and technical responsibilities as assigned.Skills and ExperienceBachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related technical field preferred. An associate degree or equivalent combination of technical education and relevant CNC machining experience may be considered.Previous CNC machining, manufacturing engineering, or CNC process engineering experience in a manufacturing environment preferred.Strong knowledge of CNC machining principles, processes, programming, tooling, fixturing, and machine setup.Knowledge of CNC controls, programming, offsets, parameters, and debugging.Experience developing or optimizing CNC programs and machining processes.Strong understanding of cutting tools, feeds and speeds, tool life, workholding, and machining-process optimization.Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, tolerances, and GD&T.Ability to analyze machining and quality problems, identify root causes, and implement effective corrective actions.Understanding of manufacturing process capability, variation, continuous improvement, and root-cause analysis.Familiarity with CNC machine controls, servos, sensors, automation, robotics, and industrial control systems preferred.Working knowledge of PLCs and machine-control systems is beneficial but is not the primary focus of the position.Ability to support the specification, installation, programming, testing, validation, and launch of CNC machinery and manufacturing processes.Experience with CAD/CAM software and other applicable engineering or CNC programming software preferred.Ability to use Microsoft Office and other applicable engineering and manufacturing software.Strong problem-solving, analytical, and critical-thinking skills.Ability to manage multiple engineering projects, priorities, and production-support activities.Ability to communicate effectively with Production, Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, suppliers, and management.Ability to work independently while effectively collaborating as part of a cross-functional team.Familiarity with current CNC machining technologies, automation, robotics, tooling, and manufacturing methods preferred.Organizational CultureWork safely and follow established rules and guidelines for safe work.Report to work on time and with a positive and professional attitude.Remain focused on assigned responsibilities and priorities.Take responsibility for work performance, results, and completion of assigned tasks.Maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and other departments.Support a positive and consistent workflow throughout the company.Work with a sense of urgency when production or business needs require it.Support, coach, and mentor coworkers when appropriate.Positively support change and continuous improvement throughout the company.Communicate effectively and professionally with all levels of the organization.Promote continuous improvement, manufacturing excellence, process stability, and product quality throughout the facility.Physical Work ConditionsMust be able to work in a manufacturing environment that may include elevated temperatures, noise, and other industrial conditions.Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods while supporting manufacturing and engineering activities.Must be able to work around CNC machinery, automated equipment, tooling, robotics, and other industrial equipment.Must be able to safely access CNC equipment and manufacturing processes for setup, testing, troubleshooting, validation, and engineering activities.Must be able to wear required personal protective equipment.Must be able to lift and handle tooling, gauges, fixtures, components, and other items associated with CNC machining and engineering activities within established safety requirements.Must be able to respond to machining, process, quality, and production issues throughout the manufacturing facility.Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.