Design and CNC Programming Manager

Design and CNC Programming Manager, Steel Pool Products

Location: Knoxville, Tennessee Corporate Island Campus and Manufacturing Center (2901 Leisure Island Way, Knoxville, TN 37914)

Join the Explore Industries Team!

At Explore Industries, we’re more than just a leader in swimming pool design and manufacturing—we’re a team driven by respect, integrity, and innovation. We believe in empowering our employees, fostering collaboration, and delivering top-quality products that set industry standards.

We are hiring a Design and CNC Programming Manager to lead product design, CNC programming, and technical documentation for our steel packaged pool product line. This on-site role is based at our Knoxville manufacturing facility and works with the sheet metal fabrication equipment it programs.

You will program the plant’s state of the art automated sheet metal equipment, set the design standards those programs depend on, and build the design team behind the work. Day to day, that means CAD, CNC programming, and close coordination with manufacturing so steel wall components are designed right and produced efficiently.

Key Responsibilities

• Program and optimize automated punching, shearing, and panel-bending equipment for stock and custom steel wall components.
• Develop and refine nesting and bending programs to reduce material scrap and maximize machine output.
• Lead 2D and 3D CAD development for steel wall panels, rails, braces, and hardware for strength, fit-up, and field assembly.
• Finalize existing steel panel designs and work with a licensed professional engineer to obtain engineering approval; build and maintain a specification book of stock pool offerings.
• Create production drawings, assemblies, cut lists, bills of material, and installation documentation; coordinate liner, coping, deck, plumbing, and equipment layouts so kits ship complete.
• Work with manufacturing and purchasing on gauges, coatings, tooling, hardware, and vendor components; support engineering changes, new models, and plant and field feedback.
• Help select and standardize the division's CAD platform and design workflows; build and lead a small design team across multiple locations, including remote and overseas design resources.

What We’re Looking For

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of CNC programming experience on sheet metal fabrication equipment such as turret punches, punch-and-shear systems, panel benders, or press brakes.
• 5+ years of professional production CAD experience; proficiency in AutoCAD and/or SolidWorks.
• Experience designing sheet metal, formed steel, or similar fabricated products, including complete drawing packages (assemblies, details, BOMs, and revision history).
• Working knowledge of manufacturing processes: punching, shearing, forming, welding, coating, and hardware assembly.
• Clear written and verbal communication with plants, vendors, engineers, and field teams.
• Must be able to work on-site in Knoxville, Tennessee, with occasional travel to Albany, New York.
• Hands-on programming or operating experience on automated punch, shear, and/or panel-bend systems preferred. Manufacturer training is provided.
• Experience leading or mentoring a design or programming team, including remote or overseas partners; swimming pool, spa, or building products industry experience preferred.

Why Explore Industries?

Compensation

• Salary Range: $85,000 - $105,000 annually
• Actual compensation will be based on experience and job-related skills.

Benefits & Additional Compensation
Eligible employees may receive access to the following benefits and programs, subject to plan terms and eligibility requirements:

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays
• 401(k) with company match
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance options
• Optional life and disability insurance
• Other incentive or compensation programs may be available depending on the position

Learn more about us at exploreindustries.com.

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.