CNC Programmer

Society of Defense Financial Management; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 41,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobot is seeking a seasoned CNC programmer for prototype and low-volume production in San Diego. You will develop and optimize programs for mills and lathes driven by customer drawings and CAD models.

The role covers toolpath validation, setup documentation, and collaboration with engineers to improve cycle times and manufacturability. The ideal candidate has 3–5 years of CNC programming experience, strong CAD/CAM skills, and a solid grasp of GD&T and tooling strategies.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; an associate degree, technical diploma, apprenticeship, or CNC programming certification is preferred.
• Minimum 3–5 years of CNC programming experience in precision manufacturing.
• Experience programming CNC mills and/or CNC lathes from drawings and 2D/3D CAD models.
• Strong CAD/CAM experience; exact software platform to be confirmed with the client.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize CNC programs for mills and/or lathes using customer drawings, CAD models, and manufacturing specifications.
• Create safe and efficient machining strategies for prototype, one-off, and low-volume components.
• Select cutting tools, feeds, speeds, workholding, and operation sequences based on geometry, material, tolerance, and machine capability.
• Generate, review, and validate toolpaths using the company’s designated CAD/CAM platform.
• Produce setup sheets, tooling lists, operation instructions, and other documentation needed by setup machinists.
• Review drawings and models for dimensions, tolerances, GD&T, material specifications, and potential manufacturability concerns.
• Perform program prove-outs and support first-article production at the machine.
• Troubleshoot dimensional, finish, tooling, collision-risk, and cycle-time issues.
• Revise programs and machining processes based on inspection results and operator feedback.
• Make or support manual G-code edits when necessary.
• Design or recommend fixtures, soft jaws, and custom workholding for complex components.
• Collaborate with machining, quality, engineering, and leadership personnel to prioritize jobs and resolve technical issues.
• Improve cycle times, tool life, setup efficiency, and overall process reliability without compromising quality.
• Maintain organized program revisions, setup documentation, tool libraries, and manufacturing records.
• Provide machining and design-for-manufacturability input during the quoting or preproduction process when requested.
• Assist and mentor setup machinists in program execution and machining best practices.

Skills

CNC programming

CNC milling

CNC lathe

CAD/CAM

GD&T

Drafting from CAD models

tooling selection

fixture design

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate degree or CNC certification

Tools

CAD/CAM software

Job description

Prototype & Low-Volume Precision Machining | San Diego, CA

This Jobot Job is hosted by: Adrian Martinez

Salary: $30 - $40 per hour

A bit about us:

Founded more than two decades ago and based in San Diego, we are a locally operated precision manufacturing company specializing in low-volume, high-quality prototyping and machining. We support customers in aerospace, defense, automation, energy, healthcare, homeland security, and X-ray inspection by transforming drawings and CAD models into finished components. Our broader capabilities include tooling and fixtures, fabrication, welding, CAD support, design consultation, mechanical assembly, and part verification.

Why join us?

• Program custom, complex components in a high-mix prototype and short-run environment
• Work with a broad variety of materials, geometries, and customer requirements
• Influence machining strategy, tooling, workholding, cycle time, and manufacturability
• Collaborate directly with machinists, leadership, and customers on production challenges
• Work across milling, turning, tooling, fixture, and prototype applications
• Join a locally operated precision manufacturing team with more than 20 years of history

Job Details

Key Responsibilities and Duties

• Develop and optimize CNC programs for mills and/or lathes using customer drawings, CAD models, and manufacturing specifications.
• Create safe and efficient machining strategies for prototype, one-off, and low-volume components.
• Select cutting tools, feeds, speeds, workholding, and operation sequences based on geometry, material, tolerance, and machine capability.
• Generate, review, and validate toolpaths using the company’s designated CAD/CAM platform.
• Produce setup sheets, tooling lists, operation instructions, and other documentation needed by setup machinists.
• Review drawings and models for dimensions, tolerances, GD&T, material specifications, and potential manufacturability concerns.
• Perform program prove-outs and support first-article production at the machine.
• Troubleshoot dimensional, finish, tooling, collision-risk, and cycle-time issues.
• Revise programs and machining processes based on inspection results and operator feedback.
• Make or support manual G-code edits when necessary.
• Design or recommend fixtures, soft jaws, and custom workholding for complex components.
• Collaborate with machining, quality, engineering, and leadership personnel to prioritize jobs and resolve technical issues.
• Improve cycle times, tool life, setup efficiency, and overall process reliability without compromising quality.
• Maintain organized program revisions, setup documentation, tool libraries, and manufacturing records.
• Provide machining and design-for-manufacturability input during the quoting or preproduction process when requested.
• Assist and mentor setup machinists in program execution and machining best practices.

Qualifications Needed:

• High school diploma or equivalent; an associate degree, technical diploma, apprenticeship, or CNC programming certification is preferred.
• Minimum 3–5 years of CNC programming experience in precision manufacturing.
• Experience programming CNC mills and/or CNC lathes from drawings and 2D/3D CAD models.
• Strong CAD/CAM experience; exact software platform to be confirmed with the client.
• Experience in a fast-paced, high-mix, low-volume job shop is strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of machining processes, cutting tools, feeds and speeds, workholding, and operation sequencing.
• Ability to read complex blueprints, dimensional tolerances, and GD&T.
• Working knowledge of G-code and machine-level program editing.
• Experience supporting program prove-outs, first-article machining, and dimensional corrections.
• Ability to develop clear setup sheets and operator instructions.
• Experience programming multiple materials, including aluminum and stainless steel.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot machining problems and improve process efficiency.
• Ability to balance quality, manufacturability, cycle time, and tooling costs across multiple active jobs.

Preferred:

• Programming experience for both CNC mills and CNC lathes
• Prototype, one-off, and short-run manufacturing experience
• Fixture, soft-jaw, jig, or custom workholding design experience
• Experience with 3D milling, complex contours, or multi-operation components
• Experience machining plastics, copper, brass, titanium, or other specialty materials
• Experience supporting aerospace, defense, healthcare, automation, or other precision applications
• Ability and willingness to set up and operate machines in addition to programming

Jobot is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide an inclusive work environment that celebrates diversity and all qualified candidates receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age (40 and over), disability, military status, genetic information or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Jobot also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. It is Jobot’s policy to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions.

Sometimes Jobot is required to perform background checks with your authorization. Jobot will consider qualified candidates with criminal histories in a manner consistent with any applicable federal, state, or local law regarding criminal backgrounds, including but not limited to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring and the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.