CNC Applications Support Specialist

5th Axis Inc; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

100% company-paid medical coverage for

Life and disability insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Career advancement opportunities

Job summary

5th Axis in San Diego seeks a CNC Applications Support Specialist with hands-on machining experience to guide customers and distributors. You’ll diagnose setup, fixturing, and workholding challenges, provide technical guidance on 3-, 4-, and 5-axis machines, and translate shop-floor feedback to our Engineering team.

Join a customer‑centric team that rewards practical problem-solving, offers competitive pay, full medical coverage, a 401(k) with company match, and ongoing career development.

Qualifications

• Three years of hands-on CNC machining experience.
• Experience operating or setting up 3-, 4-, and 5-axis machining centers.
• Strong problem-solving and clear communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose setup and fixturing challenges with machinists.
• Provide guidance on workholding systems, zero-point solutions, and related accessories.
• Troubleshoot clamping, alignment, and setup efficiency.
• Support customer applications involving 3-, 4-, and 5-axis machining centers.
• Recommend products and solutions based on customer applications.
• Escalate complex technical issues to Engineering with actionable information.
• Document technical cases and customer interactions in CRM/ERP systems.

Skills

CNC machining

3-, 4-, 5-axis machines

Fixturing & workholding

Troubleshooting

Customer communication

Engineering collaboration

ERP & CRM familiarity

Bilingual English/Spanish

High school diploma or equivalent

Machining apprenticeship preferred

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Machining apprenticeship

Technical training or certification

Tools

Epicor

Salesforce

ERP systems

Job description

Position:CNC Applications Support Specialist

Location: San Diego, CA

Job Id:302

# of Openings:1

Turn Your CNC Expertise Into Customer Success at 5th Axis

At 5th Axis, we’re global leaders in precision machining, automated production, and turnkey manufacturing solutions. From advanced workholding systems to zero-point technology, we design, build, and deliver solutions that empower machinists and manufacturers worldwide.

If you’re an experienced CNC machinist who enjoys solving technical challenges, improving setups, and helping others succeed, this is an opportunity to take your expertise beyond the machine.

A Technical Support Role Built for Machinists

As a CNC Applications Support Specialist, you’ll work directly with machinists, engineers, distributors, and manufacturing teams to solve real-world machining, workholding, and fixturing challenges.

You’ll use your shop-floor experience to troubleshoot applications, recommend solutions, and help customers get the best performance from 5th Axis products.

This position requires hands-on CNC machining experience. It is not an IT help desk, software support, or general customer service role. Applicants without experience operating or setting up CNC machines will not be considered.

What the Job Looks Like

• A machinist calls because a 5-axis setup is losing repeatability—you help identify the fixturing issue.


• A customer needs to fixture a complex part—you guide them toward an appropriate workholding solution.


• You review photos, prints, and setup information to troubleshoot machining problems.


• You help customers improve clamping, alignment, setup efficiency, and consistency.


• You translate shop-floor challenges into clear, actionable feedback for Engineering.


• You coordinate with internal teams to resolve product, replacement, or order-related concerns.

What You’ll Do Here

• Work directly with machinists to diagnose and resolve setup and fixturing challenges.


• Provide technical guidance on CNC workholding systems, zero-point solutions, and related accessories.


• Troubleshoot issues involving clamping, alignment, repeatability, and setup efficiency.


• Support customer applications involving 3-, 4-, and 5-axis machining centers.


• Recommend products and solutions based on customer applications and machining requirements.


• Escalate complex technical issues to Engineering with clear and actionable information.


• Communicate with customers by phone and email to resolve machining and product-related concerns.


• Assist with RMAs, replacement parts, order support, and shipping coordination as needed.


• Document technical cases, customer interactions, and solutions in CRM and ERP systems.


• Provide customers and distribution partners with product guidance and machining insight.


• Share customer and shop-floor feedback to support product and process improvements.


• Help deliver a responsive, knowledgeable, and professional customer experience.

What You’ll Bring

• At least three years of hands‑on CNC machining experience as an operator, setup machinist, applications specialist, programmer, or similar technical professional.


• Experience operating or setting up 3-, 4-, or 5-axis machining centers.


• A strong understanding of CNC setups, fixturing, workholding, and machining problem-solving.


• The ability to explain machining concepts and technical solutions clearly.


• Strong troubleshooting skills and close attention to detail.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.


• The ability to organize and manage multiple technical cases and priorities.


• Experience working with engineers, production teams, customers, or distributors is a plus.


• Familiarity with ERP and CRM systems; Epicor and Salesforce experience is a plus.


• Bilingual English/Spanish communication skills are a plus but not required.


• A high school diploma or equivalent.


• Technical training, certification, or a machining apprenticeship is preferred.

Who This Role Is Ideal For

• Experienced machinists who want to move away from daily machine operation without leaving the industry.


• CNC setup machinists or programmers who enjoy troubleshooting and helping others.


• Machining leads who are comfortable explaining technical concepts and guiding less‑experienced machinists.


• Applications‑or process‑focused machinists who want greater exposure to customers, products, and engineering challenges.


• Customer‑focused manufacturing professionals who can translate shop‑floor problems into practical solutions.


• CNC professionals looking to apply their experience in a technical, customer‑facing role.

Why You’ll Love Working With Us

• Competitive pay with performance‑based bonus opportunities


• 100% company‑paid medical coverage available for employees


• Company‑paid life and disability insurance


• 401(k) with up to a 5% company match


• Generous paid time off and paid holidays


• Training and meaningful opportunities for career advancement


• A supportive, non‑corporate culture where your ideas matter


• Company-sponsored team events and activities

Ready to Take Your CNC Experience Beyond the Machine?

This is more than a support position. It’s an opportunity to apply your machining experience in a broader role, solve real manufacturing challenges, and become a trusted resource for the machinists who rely on our products every day.

5th Axis is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity, value different perspectives, and believe everyone has the ability to make an impact. If you need an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact [e-mail] .