CNC Machinist

Lincoln Motor Company; Long Beach (CA); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 159,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Parental leave

Vehicle discount program

Tuition assistance

Employee resource groups

Paid time off

Job summary

Ford Motor Company is seeking a skilled CNC Programmer/Operator in California to develop and optimize CNC programs for prototype vehicle parts. You will set up and run 5-axis milling machines, collaborating with design and engineering teams to ensure manufacturability and high quality.

You will troubleshoot processes, monitor tool life, and maintain documentation while adhering to safety standards in a hybrid onsite role. The position offers strong growth in a global manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• 5–7+ years of CNC Programmer/Operator experience.
• Proven CNC programming using CAM software.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and blueprints.
• Strong knowledge of material properties and machinability of metals, plastics, composites.
• Troubleshoot CNC machining problems to improve quality and efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and troubleshoot CNC programs (G-code) using CAM software.
• Set up and operate CNC milling machines with appropriate tooling and parameters.
• Produce precision parts for prototype vehicles meeting tight tolerances.
• Collaborate with design engineers to ensure manufacturability.
• Improve machining processes to reduce cycle times and material waste.
• Inspect finished parts with precision measuring instruments for conformance.
• Maintain an organized inventory of CNC tooling and ensure tool availability.
• Keep accurate records of CNC programs, setups, and machining parameters.
• Adhere to safety procedures to maintain a safe workplace.

Skills

CNC programming

G-code

CAM software

Engineering drawings

Troubleshooting

Tools

PowerMill

Autodesk Fusion

HEIDENHAIN controls

Siemens controls

Job description

We made history and now we work to transform the future – for our customers, our communities and our families. You'll see your work on the road every day, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At Ford, you can build more than vehicles. Come build what matters.

Product Creation and Industrialization (PC&I) brings together Ford’s vehicle, electric, digital and design teams with our global manufacturing system. Working as one end-to-end organization, we turn ideas into high-quality vehicles, software and experiences across gas, hybrid and electric, designed around what customers need.

In this position as a CNC Programmer/Operator, you will be responsible for programming, setting up, and operating CNC milling machines and 5-axis gantry mills (DMG MORI and Fooke) to produce high-quality parts and components for prototype vehicles. You will work closely with our design and engineering teams to translate engineering designs into precise and efficient CNC programs, ensuring the accurate and timely delivery of parts for prototype builds. Your expertise in CNC programming, machine operation, commitment to safety, teamwork, and quality workmanship will be essential to your success in this role.

What you’ll do

• Develop, optimize, and troubleshoot CNC programs (G-code) using CAM software (e.g., PowerMill, Autodesk Fusion) based on 3D CAD models and engineering drawings.
• Set up and operate CNC milling machines including selecting appropriate tooling, fixturing, and cutting parameters to achieve desired part geometries and surface finishes.
• Produce precision parts and components for prototype vehicles, ensuring adherence to tight tolerances and quality standards.
• Work closely with design engineers to understand design intent, identify potential manufacturing challenges, and provide feedback on design manufacturability.
• Continuously evaluate and improve CNC machining processes to increase efficiency, reduce cycle times, and minimize material waste.
• Inspect finished parts using precision measuring instruments to verify conformance to specifications.
• Manage and maintain an organized inventory of CNC tooling, ensuring availability of necessary tools for upcoming projects.
• Maintain accurate records of CNC programs, setup sheets, and machining parameters.
• Adhere to all safety procedures and protocols to ensure a safe working environment.

You’ll have

• 5-7+ years of experience as a CNC Programmer/Operator.
• Proven expertise in CNC programming using CAM software.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and blueprints.
• Strong understanding of material properties and machinability of various metals, plastics, foams, and composites.
• Ability to troubleshoot CNC machining problems and identify solutions to improve part quality and efficiency.
• Familiarity with CAD/CAM software workflows and integration.
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with design and fabrication teams.
• High attention to detail and a commitment to producing high-quality parts.
• Physical job requirements:
• Ability to lift 50-70+lbs.
• Stand for long periods of time, bend or twist body, kneel, stoop, or crouch.

Even better, you may have

• Familiarity with rapid prototyping techniques and workflows.
• Ability to create and modify CAD models for fixturing and tooling purposes.
• Experience with reverse engineering techniques for creating CAD models from physical parts.
• 5-Axis Gantry Milling experience.
• Experience with PowerMill.
• HEIDENHAIN and Siemens controls.

As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder…or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:

• Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage
• Paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments and more
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
• Tuition assistance
• Established and active employee resource groups
• Paid time off for individual and team community service
• Generous vacation time, sick/personal time, and paid holidays, including between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day

This position is a salary grade 7 and ranges from $95,300-$159,400.

Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.

This position is hybrid with a requirement to be onsite four or more days per week.