CNC Programmer

Darwin Recruitment; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Health benefits

401k

Hot lunch

Job summary

Darwin Recruitment in Alameda, CA, is seeking a Production CNC Programmer to program multi-axis CNCs using NX CAM, lead tooling selections, and drive a lights-out production approach.

Ideal candidate has 10+ years CNC machining in fast-paced environments and 2+ years NX CAM with 5-axis, live tooling. The role includes equity and strong benefits; reports to Production Shop Manager.

Qualifications

• 10+ years as CNC machinist in a fast-paced shop.
• 2+ years with NX CAM and programming/operating 5‑axis mills with live tooling.
• Experience interpreting drawings and GD&T.

Responsibilities

• Program CNC machines using NX CAM and set tool choices, feeds, and speeds.
• Interpret drawings and select tools, workholding and inspection gear.
• Operate multi-axis mills and lathes, incl. 5-axis with live tooling.
• Lead production by supplying pre-programmed jobs and setup guidance.
• Set up CNC machines and verify with QA.
• Operate manual machines when required.
• Inspect in-process parts with handheld tools and QC lab.
• Collaborate with shop staff, engineering, and vendors.
• Identify bottlenecks and propose improvements.

Skills

5-axis milling

Live tooling

GD&T

Shop drawings

Tools

NX CAM

Mastercam

CATIA

ESPRIT

Job description

Production CNC Programmer
Alameda, California

This is a launch company applying an agile approach to space launch, building on over a decade of technology development in rocket propulsion, structures and avionics. They deliver routine access to Earth orbit for enterprises launching services powered by small satellites.

Their headquarters sits in Alameda, between San Francisco and Oakland. The campus supports full cycle rocket production, from design through manufacturing and test, plus mission control.

The production team is a small, highly skilled group running multi axis lights out cell systems. They take raw material to finished form against dimensional requirements and schedule constraints, with the goal of producing parts faster, cheaper and at higher quality than any outside shop.

This role reports directly to the Production Shop Manager.

What you will do

• Programme production CNC machines using CAM software such as NX, making tool selections and calculating feeds and speeds
• Interpret dimensioned part drawings and select the correct machine tools, workholding and inspection equipment
• Use pallet sequences, tool life counters, bar feeders and tool break detection to drive a lights out approach to machining
• Lead production on your machines by keeping setup and operator personnel supplied with pre programmed jobs and setup guidance
• Set up and operate CNC machines, or hand off to support personnel, including new tool setup and workholding, proofing programs and loading parts
• Operate manual metal cutting machinery including knee mills, manual lathes, drill presses, surface grinders and saws
• Inspect in process parts with handheld tools, working with the Quality Control lab where needed
• Work with shop staff, Quality Control, engineering personnel and machine vendors
• Identify bottlenecks and recurring issues, and offer solutions to improve shop effectiveness

Who this suits

• Someone with 10 or more years as a CNC machinist, used to a fast paced shop
• 2 or more years with NX CAM, and experience programming and running 5 axis mills, mill turns, horizontal mills, and lathes with live tooling
• Someone who has kept setup and operator personnel supplied with pre programmed jobs, and is comfortable mentoring team members relying on their direction
• Someone who makes independent priority calls on scheduling machines and operators based on scope of work
• Fluent in shop drawings and GD&T, able to calculate feeds and speeds and solve geometry problems, and confident with calipers, micrometers, hard gauges and surface plate inspection
• Comfortable working with machine vendors, CAM vendors and other technical vendors to resolve machine issues
• Able to lift 40lbs or more, push heavy carts or crates, and stretch, reach, kneel or crawl as tasks require
• Useful extras: Mastercat, CATIA or ESPRIT, high mix job shop experience, fabrication including welding, sheet metal, waterjet or assembly, engineering or design training, lean certifications, wire, sinker or drill EDM

What you get

$170,000 to $200,000. Equity as part of the package. Health, vision, dental and 401k. Hot lunch every day, quarterly off sites and frequent happy hours. This role is subject to US export control regulations, so it is contingent on US citizenship, lawful permanent residence, protected individual status, or eligibility to obtain the required authorisations from the Department of State.