CNC Programmer

George P Johnson Experience Marketing; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

George P Johnson Experience Marketing is hiring a CNC Programmer to join our Nashville team. The role focuses on producing CNC programs, setup, and operations for cabinet and exhibit components, using AutoCAD, Inventor, and CAM tools to meet manufacturing needs.

You will collaborate with staff engineers and shop personnel to ensure schedules, quality, and safety standards are met, while optimizing machine utilization and processes in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of full-time 3D modeling in AutoCAD/Inventor in a cabinet/millwork or exhibit environment.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and technical specs for accurate part production.
• Extensive experience programming CNC machines using G-code and CAM software.

Responsibilities

• Program, set up, and operate CNC machines to produce precision parts.
• Interpret drawings and specs to ensure part accuracy and tolerances.
• Collaborate with engineers, fabrication team, and shop personnel to meet schedules and budgets.
• Troubleshoot programming, tooling, and machine issues to minimize downtime.

Skills

G-code programming

CNC setup

GD&T interpretation

Machining knowledge

Troubleshooting

Quality control

Time management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

3+ years 3D modeling in AutoCAD and/or Inventor

Experience in cabinet/millwork or exhibit industry

Strong CAD skills for assemblies and tooling

Tools

Cimtech RouterCIM/SolidCIM

Autodesk AutoCAD

Autodesk Inventor

Mastercam or GibbsCAM

Job description

GPJ is hiring a CNC Programmer to join our growing team.

This role is on-site, requiring you to report to our Nashville, TN office location a minimum of 5 days per week.

Your Role

As a CNC Programmer at GPJ, you are tasked with producing manufacturable CAD models, Nested Panel Sheets, NC Code files, DXF Profiles, Beam Saw Cut Lists, Exploded View Drawings, and Part Labels using CAD and CAM applications such as Cimtech RouterCIM/SolidCIM, Autodesk AutoCAD, and Autodesk Inventor. You work with Staff Engineers, Fabrication Project Managers, Fabrication Shop personnel, and Graphics Production teams to process scopes of work and complete action items on time and within budget. Your role is pivotal in ensuring the efficient operation of manufacturing processes and the delivery of high-quality products to customers.

Your responsibility is to provide exceptional service and high-caliber outputs to project stakeholders while upholding the Engineering Department's mission of delivering the best experience for customers through safety, stability, and sufficiency. Collaborating closely with the team, you address issues as they arise and ensure CNC programs are well-suited to the needs of the machines and the shop. This often involves direct follow-through with shop leadership, machine operators, carpenters, and metal fabricators. Additionally, you coordinate your efforts with teammates in the CNC department to streamline programming processes, minimize redundancy, and maintain efficient workflows.

Your Skills

• You have extensive experience programming CNC machines using G-code, CAM software (e.g., Mastercam, GibbsCAM), and CAD/CAM systems.
• You have hands‑on experience setting up and operating CNC machining centers, lathes, mills, and other CNC equipment.
• You can interpret engineering drawings, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) symbols, and technical specifications to produce accurate parts.
• You possess strong knowledge of machining processes, cutting tools, feeds and speeds, and machining strategies to achieve tight tolerances and high-quality surface finishes.
• You demonstrate excellent troubleshooting skills to diagnose and resolve issues related to CNC programming, tooling, and machine performance.
• You maintain exceptional attention to detail and accuracy in programming, machine setup, and inspection of machined parts to meet quality standards.
• You effectively manage your time, prioritize tasks, meet production deadlines, and optimize machine utilization.
• You collaborate effectively with machine operators, engineers, and other team members to maintain smooth workflows and maximize production efficiency.

Urgency

Decisive, responsive, and fast acting you achieve goals quickly both when working on your own and in collaboration with others. You demonstrate adaptability and agility when making on-the-spot decisions never sacrificing quality or work interactions. Cool under pressure. For the sake of time, you are able to eliminate unnecessary steps and use network resources to aid in project completion.

Attention to Communication

Able to relate ideas to others in many forms (email, phone, in person) and ensure that all who need to be informed are kept in the loop, making sure no detail is left out. Provide ideas, options, and collaborate with the cross‑functional team members.

Thoroughness

Ensure your work (and if applicable, the work of others) is complete and accurate. You can spot when details were overlooked, and take the initiative to complete the project, following up to ensure agreements/commitments are on track or have been fulfilled. When details are ambiguous, you ask questions to confirm you understand the expectations. Team members can easily follow your work, understand where you left off, and what comes next. You are prepared and organized for meetings and presentations.

Experience & Education

• A minimum of 3 years of recent full-time 3D modeling, in Autocad and/or Inventor, in a work environment similar to our business, such as cabinet making, millwork experience or another exhibit house.
• Strong CAD skills with the ability to comprehend part assembly and how tooling is applied to various materials and machine operations.
• Ability to work extended hours, possibly weekends and holidays, during peak periods which occur frequently throughout the year.

Your Impact

In your role, you will have influence and responsibility over:

• The CNC Programmer plays a vital role in the success of our fabrication/manufacturing operations. By programming, setting up, and operating CNC machines to produce precision parts, they contribute directly to the efficiency, accuracy, and quality of our manufacturing processes. Their ability to interpret engineering drawings and models, write efficient CNC programs, and conduct thorough inspections ensures that our products meet the highest standards of quality and precision. Additionally, their troubleshooting skills and proactive maintenance efforts help minimize downtime, maximize machine uptime, and optimize overall production output. Ultimately, the CNC Programmer's contributions have a significant impact on our company's ability to deliver exceptional products to our customers on time and within budget.

Who We Are

GPJ is the world leader in experiential marketing. Our 29 global offices are filled with fearless people dreaming up ideas that are transforming industries and bringing the most respected brands to life in powerfully, exciting ways. We are a part of the Project Worldwide family. An independent, employee‑owned global network of complementary, wholly owned agencies.

You read that “employee‑owned” part, right? You heard us correctly. You work hard, she works hard, we all work hard… we all succeed and reap the rewards. We have an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) – providing our employees with an ownership interest. We thought you would want to know that. In fact, there is a lot more you would want to know about us, like our FTO policy (no more “accruing” time off), our employer matching 401(k) plan (no vesting period), our low employee contribution healthcare option. But we are getting ahead of ourselves here, let’s talk about this exciting opportunity first and we can fill you in on our perks & benefits later.

GPJ is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected class. In addition to federal law requirements, GPJ complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. GPJ expresses prohibition of workplace harassment based on any protected class.