Senior CAD/CAM Manufacturing Engineer -- Thermoformed Plastics

Job Description

Job Description

Role snapshot

Picture your day starting at 6:30 AM in a precision plastics shop, opening a new SolidWorks model and mapping out the cleanest toolpaths for a multi‑axis CNC router. By mid‑morning, you've tuned a CAM program, built a quick fixture to stabilize a thermoformed part, and walked out to the floor to validate speeds, feeds, and hold-down strategy. After lunch, you troubleshoot a setup, coach a teammate on GD&T callouts, and close the loop by documenting the engineering change for future runs. You wrap at 3:00 PM having shipped quality parts and set up the next improvement.

This is a direct, hands-on role that reports to the Head of Engineering and blends CAD/CAM programming, fixture/tooling design, and shop‑floor problem solving. You’ll be a key contributor in a growing, custom plastics operation focused on thermoforming and precision fabrication—with a clear pathway to technical leadership while staying close to the work.

What you’ll do

• Create and update CAD models, manufacturing drawings, and tooling/fixture designs for thermoformed and fabricated plastic components.
• Program, refine, and verify CAM for CNC machining and routing, including multi‑axis applications.
• Support setups and production on CNC routers and related equipment; validate toolpaths on the floor.
• Design fixtures, molds, and production aids to improve throughput, repeatability, and quality.
• Partner with engineering and production to resolve issues and drive continuous improvement.
• Troubleshoot programming, tooling, and setup challenges at the machine.
• Conduct DFM reviews and recommend process enhancements for manufacturability.
• Assist with estimating, project planning, and workflow coordination.
• Maintain organized documentation for ECNs, tooling, fixtures, and CNC programs.
• Apply blueprint interpretation and GD support inspection and quality verification.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to less experienced teammates.

What you bring

• 5+ years of CAD/CAM programming in a manufacturing setting.
• Depth in CAD design, CAM programming, and CNC machining fundamentals.
• Track record designing tooling, fixtures, and production aids.
• Hands-on CNC setup experience, including multi‑axis equipment.
• Strong grasp of machining principles, manufacturing processes, and production flow.
• Fluency reading drawings/blueprints with GD&T.
• Excellent troubleshooting, problem solving, and collaboration skills.
• Comfort working independently while supporting cross‑functional teams.

Preferred

• Background in plastic fabrication, thermoforming, CNC routing, or similar environments.
• Programming experience on 3‑axis and 5‑axis CNC equipment.
• Familiarity with SolidWorks, CAMWorks, or comparable CAD/CAM tools.
• Mentoring, training, or technical leadership experience.
• Experience with Fagor or similar CNC controls.

Compensation, schedule, and location

Pay: $35.00 – $42.00+ per hour (DOE)

Schedule: Monday – Friday | 6:30 AM – 3:00 PM

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Reports to: Head of Engineering

Job Type: Full-Time | Direct Hire | Non-Exempt

Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) Plan
• Paid Time Off (PTO)

Why you’ll thrive here

• Direct hire role with long-term growth and a path toward technical leadership.
• Highly technical, hands-on engineering in a custom plastics environment.
• Close collaboration with engineering leadership and cross‑functional teams.
• Diverse work spanning design, CAM, tooling, and on‑the‑floor support.
• Growing company with meaningful investment in expansion.
• Stay hands‑on while elevating standards through mentorship and continuous improvement.

Core proficiencies

• GD&T
• Equipment Troubleshooting
• CNC Tooling
• Troubleshooting Skills
• CNC Programming
• G-Code
• Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
• M-Code
• Precision Measurement & Hand Metrology
• Advanced Inspection & Gauge Measurement
• Aerospace Manufacturing
• Machine Setups for Production Runs

Machines & technologies you’ll use

• CNC Mill (3-4 axis VMC)
• CAM Software
• CNC Mill (5+ axis VMC)