CNC Programmer

Express Employment Professionals - Cincinnati East; St. Catharines; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

Express Employment Professionals - Cincinnati East is seeking an experienced CNC Programmer to join a precision manufacturing team in St. Catharines, ON.

The role focuses on developing and optimizing 5-axis programs for complex components, supporting setup through production, and ensuring high-tolerance quality. The ideal candidate will bring deep 5-axis programming and hands-on setup experience, strong GD&T skills, and a proven ability to improve cycle times, tooling usage, and process

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience programming 5-axis CNC mills.
• 5+ years of hands-on CNC setup and operating experience.
• Strong ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and GD&T.
• Experience with aluminum, steel, stainless steel, and high-temperature alloys.
• Experience optimizing tooling, speeds, feeds, and setups.

Responsibilities

• Create CNC programs for complex, tight-tolerance 5-axis components.
• Develop machining strategies, toolpaths, workholding concepts, and setup plans.
• Select cutting tools, speeds, feeds, and machining parameters.
• Interpret engineering drawings, 3D models, specifications, tolerances, and GD&T.
• Program parts using aluminum, steel, stainless steel, and high-temperature alloys.
• Support machinists during setup, prove-out, and production.
• Troubleshoot programming, tooling, workholding, dimensional, and surface-finish issues.
• Optimize programs to improve cycle time, tool life, quality, and reliability.
• Verify programs using simulation and collision-detection software.
• Maintain setup documentation, tooling information, and program revisions.
• Collaborate with machining, engineering, quality, and production teams.
• Apply lessons learned to improve repeat jobs and programming standards.

Skills

5-axis programming

CNC setup

GD&T interpretation

tooling & workholding

troubleshooting

reading drawings

Tools

PowerMill

Collision detection software

Job description

CNC Programmer – 5-Axis

Location: St Catharines, ON
Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Pay Rate: $40–$50/hour, based on experience

Our client is a growing precision manufacturing company specializing in complex, high-precision CNC machining. We are looking for an experienced CNC Programmer with strong 5-axis programming and hands-on machining experience to join their team.

This is an excellent opportunity for a highly skilled programmer who understands how CAM programming decisions impact setup time, tooling, machine performance, part quality, and repeatability.

What We Offer

• Competitive pay of $40–$50/hour
• Stable, full-time employment
• Complex and technically challenging machining projects
• Modern CNC equipment and advanced manufacturing technology
• Opportunity to influence programming and manufacturing processes
• Collaborative team environment
• Long-term career growth

Position Overview

As a CNC Programmer, you will develop efficient and reliable programs for complex 5-axis CNC milling equipment, while supporting jobs from initial programming through setup, prove-out, first-off inspection, and production.

Key Responsibilities

• Create CNC programs for complex, tight-tolerance 5-axis components
• Develop machining strategies, toolpaths, workholding concepts, and setup plans
• Select cutting tools, speeds, feeds, and machining parameters
• Interpret engineering drawings, 3D models, specifications, tolerances, and GD&T
• Program parts using aluminum, steel, stainless steel, and high-temperature alloys
• Support machinists during setup, prove-out, and production
• Troubleshoot programming, tooling, workholding, dimensional, and surface-finish issues
• Optimize programs to improve cycle time, tool life, quality, and reliability
• Verify programs using simulation and collision-detection software
• Maintain setup documentation, tooling information, and program revisions
• Collaborate with machining, engineering, quality, and production teams
• Apply lessons learned to improve repeat jobs and programming standards

What We’re Looking For

• 5+ years of experience programming 5-axis CNC mills
• 5+ years of hands‑on CNC setup and operating experience
• Strong experience machining complex, tight-tolerance components
• Strong knowledge of machining fundamentals, tooling, workholding, speeds, feeds, and tool wear
• Experience with aluminum, steel, stainless steel, and high-temperature alloys
• Strong ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and GD&T
• Proven ability to take programs from initial setup through successful production
• Excellent troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills

Preferred Qualifications

• PowerMill or similar advanced CAM experience
• Experience with DMG MORI or comparable 5-axis machining centres
• Heidenhain control experience
• Aerospace, nuclear, defence, energy, or other high-precision manufacturing experience
• Knowledge of probing, in-process inspection, and process verification
• Experience reducing setup and cycle times and improving repeatability

The Ideal Candidate

You are a hands‑on CNC Programmer who understands what works on the shop floor, not just on the computer. You can develop safe, accurate, efficient programs, support machinists through prove‑out, troubleshoot issues quickly, and continuously improve machining processes.