Senior CNC Production Programmer

Job Description

Job Description

About the Role

Complete Metal Design is looking for an experienced Senior CNC Production Programmer who owns the front end of every job — programming, setup, and first-article proveout — across our mills and lathes. You'll take a part from print or 3D model through to a proven program: planning the strategy, writing the program, dialing in the setup, and running the first article. Once the part is proven, you hand it off to an operator to run production.

This is a true hands-on role. If you'd rather be stuck behind a desk all day, this isn't it. We want a programmer who is just as comfortable at a control, indicating a vise, and making chips as they are writing a program.

What You'll Do

• Own the front end of every job: programming, setup, and first-article proveout — then pass the proven part off to an operator to run production.
• Develop CNC programs for 3-axis and multi-axis mills and lathes.
• Review customer prints and 3D models to plan machining strategy, fixturing, and tooling.
• Perform full machine setups: workholding, tool loading and offsets, work offsets, and program proveout.
• Run first articles yourself — dial in the program, verify dimensions, and confirm the process is solid before handing it off.
• Hand off a proven, documented job to an operator so they can run production with confidence.
• Create and maintain tool libraries and programming templates.
• Produce setup sheets, tool lists, and work instructions so operators can run the job cleanly after you've proven it out.
• Edit programs at the control when needed during proveout; troubleshoot and optimize to reduce cycle times and improve finish quality.
• Work closely with engineering, estimating, and production to provide DFM feedback and realistic machining time estimates.
• Mentor operators and junior programmers; help establish and enforce programming and setup standards.
• Support continuous improvement efforts — fixturing design, workholding upgrades, and process documentation.

What We're Looking For

• 5+ years of hands-on CNC experience in a production machine shop, with real time spent programming, setting up, and proving out first articles — not just programming from a desk.
• Strong experience programming and setting up 3-axis mills and CNC lathes (live tooling a plus).
• Comfortable at the control during proveout — editing programs, touching off tools, setting work offsets, and making the call on speeds/feeds adjustments to get a clean first article.
• Deep understanding of machining fundamentals: speeds and feeds, tool selection, workholding, and material behavior across aluminum, steel, stainless, and non-ferrous metals.
• Ability to read and interpret complex mechanical drawings, GD&T, and 3D models.
• Strong communication skills; able to work cross-functionally with engineering, estimating, and production.
• Willingness to be on the floor every day — this is not a desk job.

Nice to Have

• Experience with 5-axis programming.
• Experience with cavity and core mold making.
• Shop floor leadership or lead-programmer experience.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Health, dental
• Paid time off and holidays
• 401(k)
• Stable, growing shop with a mix of interesting prototype, production, and aerospace work
• A team that values craftsmanship and gives programmers real ownership of their work

How to Apply

Send your resume and a brief note about the kinds of parts and machines you've programmed to View email address on ziprecruiter.com . Any sample program output or portfolio highlights you're able to share are welcome.

Complete Metal Design, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status.