CNC Applications Engineer

H. T. PROF Group; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

H. T. PROF Group is seeking an Applications Engineer with a focus on CNC turning to quote, design, and optimize high-precision machining solutions.

You will translate customer requirements into scalable manufacturing plans and collaborate with sales, operations, and quality to drive continuous improvement. The role emphasizes robust programming strategy, process robustness, and efficient tooling/workholding, with onsite engagement across departments to ensure manufacturability and customer

Qualifications

• 7+ years supporting CNC turning in precision manufacturing.
• Ability to translate customer requirements into machining strategies.
• Strong knowledge of CNC programming and CAM systems.

Responsibilities

• Analyze customer prints to develop machining strategies and quotes.
• Design and optimize CNC turning processes for repeatability and efficiency.
• Create and review CNC programs; support standards and best practices.
• Provide advanced troubleshooting and manufacturing support.
• Identify continuous improvement opportunities in tooling and processes.
• Define tooling, workholding, and process controls with quality alignment.
• Collaborate across engineering, operations, quality, and sales.

Skills

CNC turning

Process optimization

G-code programming

CAM systems

Quoting

Education

Associate degree in Manufacturing/Engineering

Job description

This role functions as a technical authority for high-precision CNC turning applications, supporting customer quoting, process design, and manufacturing optimization. The Applications Engineer partners closely with sales, operations, and quality teams to translate customer requirements into efficient, scalable machining solutions while driving continuous improvement across production processes.

Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Applications Engineering & Quoting– Analyze customer prints and specifications to develop complete machining strategies, including process flow, tooling approach, cycle-time assumptions, and labor inputs for accurate quoting.
• Process Design & Optimization– Develop, validate, and refine CNC turning processes focused on repeatability, efficiency, and manufacturability rather than daily machine operation.
• Programming Strategy & Review– Create, review, and optimize CNC programs with an emphasis on process robustness, tool life, and throughput; support programming standards and best practices.
• Manufacturing Support & Troubleshooting– Provide advanced technical support for complex setup, programming, or process issues; act as escalation point rather than primary operator.
• Continuous Improvement– Identify opportunities to reduce cycle time, tooling cost, and secondary operations through improved process design and technology application.
• Tooling & Workholding Strategy– Define tooling, collet, and workholding solutions that support efficient, scalable production.
• Quality & Compliance Collaboration– Work with Quality teams to establish inspection strategies and process controls that ensure consistent compliance with tight tolerance requirements.
• Cross-Functional Engagement– Actively participate in discussions across engineering, operations, quality, and commercial teams to support manufacturability and customer success.
• Work Environment– Fully onsite role with strong interaction across departments.

Qualifications:

• Associate degree or equivalent technical education in Manufacturing Engineering, CNC Programming, or a related field
• 7+ years of experience supporting CNC turning processes in a precision manufacturing environment, with a strong applications or process-engineering focus
• Demonstrated ability to translate customer requirements into complete machining strategies rather than solely executing production work
• Advanced knowledge of CNC programming principles (G‑code) and CAM systems, with an emphasis on optimization and standardization