CNC Production & Estimating Lead

Pen Manufacturing; Anaheim (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Pen Manufacturing is rebuilding its CNC department and seeks a hands-on CNC Production & Estimating Lead to run work, quote jobs, and help define process improvements. You will program and run CNC mills and lathes, estimate machine time, and help standardize tooling, fixturing, and workflows.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years CNC experience (programming + set up), can train operators, and will lead process development as volume grows.

Qualifications

• 5+ years CNC experience including programming and set up (G-code, CAM).
• Experience quoting jobs and estimating machine time.
• Familiarity with mills and lathes and CAM tools.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and problem solving skills.
• Experience with tooling selection, fixturing, and setup best practices.
• Bonus: experience with manufacturing quoting tools or ERP integration.

Responsibilities

• Program, set up, and run CNC mills and lathes.
• Review prints and create accurate machine time estimates.
• Prepare cost-based quotes for CNC work and collaborate with sales/engineering.

Skills

CNC programming

CNC setup

Estimating / quotes

Tooling selection

CAM tools

Troubleshooting

Leadership/mentoring

Tools

ERP systems

CAM software

G-code

Job description

Pen Manufacturing is rebuilding our CNC department and seeking a highly capable CNC Production & Estimating Lead who can run work, quote jobs, and help define process until the department is firing on all cylinders.

This is not a typical machine operator role. You will be expected to:

• Program and run CNC machines
• Quote jobs accurately and competitively
• Help rebuild and standardize CNC processes
• Advise on tooling, fixturing, and potential machine upgrades
• Train and support operators as volume grows

If you are the hands-on technical professional who enjoys both the machine shop floor and the strategy behind quoting and process improvement, this position is built for you.

Key Responsibilities

Machine Operations & Programming

• Program, set up, and run CNC mills and lathes
• Ensure parts are produced to spec and quality standards
• Troubleshoot tooling, feeds/speeds, and fixturing

Estimating & Quoting

• Review prints and create accurate machine time estimates
• Prepare cost-based quotes for CNC work
• Collaborate with sales and engineering to price jobs competitively

Process Development & Leadership

• Help define standard work and best practices
• Recommend tooling, software, and machine upgrades
• Support training of additional operators as volume increases
• Act as technical lead for the CNC department

Ideal Background

• 5+ years CNC experience, including programming + set up (G-code, CAM) [A must]
• Comfortable quoting jobs and estimating machine time
• Experience with a mix of mills/lathes, and familiarity with CAM tools
• Strong mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills
• Experience with tooling selection, fixturing, and setup best practices
• Bonus: experience with manufacturing quoting tools or ERP integration
• Bonus: experience with machine upgrades or shop rebuilds

This role needs someone who can do, teach, and improve.

Compensation

• Competitive base salary (please include your expected range when applying)
• Performance bonus tied to throughput improvement and quoting accuracy
• Opportunity for expanded leadership responsibilities as CNC department grows

Why This Role Matters

• Be central to rebuilding CNC capacity
• Shape how we quote, price, and deliver CNC work
• Influence decisions about tooling and machine investments
• Train and lead future CNC talent

The pay range for this role is:

70,000 - 110,000 USD per year (Anaheim, CA)