Senior CMM Programmer

Job Details

Job Location: Schultes Precision - Buffalo Grove, IL

Salary Range: $35.00 - $45.00Hourly

Schultes Precision Manufacturing is seeking an experienced Senior CMM Programmer to support our precision machining operations. This position is responsible for developing, optimizing, and executing advanced Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) programs to ensure manufactured components meet stringent dimensional, geometric, and customer specifications.

The ideal candidate will possess advanced programming proficiency in ZEISS CALYPSO and/or Hexagon PC-DMIS, a comprehensive understanding of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), and a strong technical background in CNC machining processes.

Beyond dimensional inspection, this individual will serve as a critical technical resource to manufacturing operations, collaborating with machinists, CNC programmers, and manufacturing engineers to troubleshoot nonconforming components, identify root causes of dimensional variation, and develop effective corrective actions.

This role requires a proactive, solutions-oriented professional who can translate complex inspection data into actionable manufacturing improvements.

Supervisory Responsibilities

N/A

Duties/Responsibilities

CMM Programming & Dimensional Inspection

• Develop, validate, and optimize advanced CMM inspection programs using ZEISS CALYPSO and/or Hexagon PC-DMIS.
• Create efficient, repeatable inspection routines for complex precision-machined components, including tight-tolerance features and complex geometries.
• Interpret engineering drawings, CAD models, GD&T specifications, and customer requirements to establish accurate inspection methods.
• Utilize CAD-based programming and appropriate measurement strategies to improve inspection accuracy, efficiency, and repeatability.
• Develop and maintain CMM programs, inspection documentation, measurement reports, and inspection procedures.
• Evaluate measurement strategies, probe configurations, alignments, and fixturing to ensure reliable dimensional results.
• Support first article inspections (FAI), production inspections, and customer-specific dimensional reporting requirements.
• Troubleshoot CMM programming issues, measurement inconsistencies, and inspection-related discrepancies.

Manufacturing Support & Root Cause Analysis

• Partner directly with CNC machinists, setup personnel, programmers, and manufacturing engineers to investigate components that fail dimensional inspection.
• Analyze inspection results to distinguish between actual machining defects, measurement errors, setup issues, and process variation.
• Apply practical knowledge of CNC machining, tooling, workholding, part setups, and manufacturing processes to identify potential causes of dimensional nonconformance.
• Provide actionable technical feedback to manufacturing teams regarding dimensional deviations, feature relationships, and potential process corrections.
• Assist in identifying and resolving issues related to tool wear, machine offsets, workholding, thermal effects, part distortion, and machining strategies.
• Support root cause investigations and corrective action activities to prevent recurring dimensional defects.
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineering to improve process capability, dimensional consistency, and overall part quality.

Quality Systems & Continuous Improvement

• Support the development and improvement of dimensional inspection standards, programming practices, and quality control processes.
• Participate in nonconformance investigations, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with Quality and Manufacturing to reduce scrap, rework, and inspection-related production delays.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to CMM operators, quality technicians, and other inspection personnel.
• Maintain compliance with applicable quality management systems, customer requirements, and internal procedures.
• Identify opportunities to improve inspection throughput through program optimization, standardized inspection methods, and efficient measurement strategies.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to independently develop, troubleshoot, and optimize complex CMM programs.
• Advanced understanding of GD&T principles and their practical application to dimensional inspection.
• Strong ability to interpret complex engineering drawings, CAD models, and precision machining specifications.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while supporting cross-functional manufacturing and quality teams.

Education and Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of hands‑on CMM programming experience in a precision manufacturing or CNC machining environment.
• Advanced proficiency in at least one of the following CMM programming platforms: ZEISS CALYPSO, Hexagon PC-DMIS, Experience programming in both ZEISS CALYPSO and Hexagon PC-DMIS.
• Previous hands‑on experience as a CNC machinist, setup technician, CNC programmer, or manufacturing engineer is a plus.
• Working knowledge of CNC milling and turning processes, machining setups, cutting tools, workholding, and dimensional control.
• Proven experience troubleshooting dimensional nonconformances and collaborating with manufacturing teams on corrective actions.
• Experience inspecting tight‑tolerance, complex precision‑machined components.
• Experience with multi‑axis CNC machining, complex geometries, and high‑precision components.
• Familiarity with ASME Y14.5 GD&T standards.
• Experience with first article inspection requirements, including AS9102 where applicable.
• Experience with ISO 9001, AS9100, or other applicable quality management systems.
• Knowledge of measurement system analysis (MSA), gauge repeatability and reproducibility (Gage R&R), and statistical process control (SPC).
• Experience developing inspection fixtures and optimizing inspection strategies for production environments.
• Experience supporting formal root cause analysis and corrective action methodologies.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands and fingers, feel/reach with hands/arms, talk and hear.

The employee frequently is required to sit and walk. The employee is occasionally required to bend and stop, push and pull, reach above shoulder level, kneel, squat, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job to include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to moving mechanical parts and fumes or airborne particles. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

ITAR Compliance Notice

Our facility operates in compliance with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and handles export-controlled technical data and materials. Certain positions require access to information regulated under U.S. export control laws.

As a condition of employment for positions requiring such access, applicants must qualify as a U.S. Person, as defined under ITAR (22 CFR § 120.62), or otherwise be authorized to access the applicable export-controlled information under U.S. law.

For ITAR purposes, a U.S. Person generally includes a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or certain individuals granted protected status under U.S. immigration law.