CNC Programmer — Mills and Lathes

Astro Craft Inc; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Paid time off

Overtime pay

Climate-controlled shop

Job summary

Astro Craft Inc is hiring a hands-on CNC programmer to support milling and lathe work. Use Mastercam to translate drawings and CAD models into precise parts, covering programming, setup support, and production optimization.

Candidates with 1–2 years of programming experience are welcome; experience in both milling and turning is preferred, with willingness to learn the other area. On-site shop with benefits and safety-focused culture.

Qualifications

• At least one year of hands-on CNC programming experience in milling, turning or both.
• Familiarity with Mastercam and creating/editing machining operations.
• Able to read engineering drawings and apply tolerances.
• Experience programming similar mills/turns or the ability to learn quickly.
• Practical CNC setup knowledge and use of feeds, speeds, tool offsets.

Responsibilities

• Create, edit and improve CNC mill and lathe programs in Mastercam from drawings and CAD models.
• Read part dimensions, tolerances, material requirements and GD&T; seek clarification when unclear.
• Plan mill operations (facing, pockets, profiles, drilling, tapping), select tools, fixtures and setups.
• Check programs before release and test safely for tool motion and clearances.
• Plan turning operations (turning, facing, boring, drilling, threading) and verify tool paths and offsets.
• Prepare setup sheets with tool lists, offsets, and inspection points.
• Assist in machine setup and support machinists during first runs; adjust as needed.
• Collaborate with Quality for first-piece checks before routine production.

Skills

CNC programming

Mastercam

GD&T reading

G-code/M-code

Machining setup

Education

Machining coursework / technical certificate

Tools

Mastercam

Job description

Since 1968, Astro Craft has made precision parts and mechanical assemblies for manufacturers. We serve customers in aerospace, medical, packaging and other industries. Our shop brings together CNC milling, turning and Swiss machining, supported by a Quality team and precision inspection equipment.

About the Role

We are hiring a hands‑on CNC programmer to support both milling and lathe work. You will use Mastercam to turn customer drawings and CAD models into accurate, repeatable parts. The role covers machining plans, programming, setup support, safe test runs, production troubleshooting and process improvement.

Candidates with 1–2 years of relevant programming experience are welcome, as are more experienced programmers. Experience in both milling and turning is preferred. If you are stronger in one area, you must be willing and able to build skills in the other. You should have practical machining skills and familiarity with Mastercam. You must know how to program equipment like ours or learn our machines and controls quickly. Assignments and technical review will match your skills.

Programming & Production Responsibilities

• Create, edit and improve CNC mill and lathe programs in Mastercam using customer drawings and CAD models.
• Read part dimensions, tolerances, material requirements and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T). Ask for clarification when a requirement is unclear.
• For mill jobs, plan operations such as facing, pockets, profiles, drilling and tapping. Choose tools and fixtures, plan access to each surface, and reduce unnecessary setups.
• Check programs before release. Confirm that the program output is suitable for the machine and control. Test new programs safely to check tool motion, clearances and part results.
• For lathe jobs, plan turning, facing, boring, drilling, threading and parting operations. Select suitable tools, jaws or collets, and check part support and tool clearances.
• Set suitable feeds and speeds for each operation. Prepare setup sheets with tool lists, work offsets, workholding details and inspection points.
• Help set up machines and support machinists during first runs. Adjust programs, tools and offsets to achieve the required dimensions and finish.
• Work with Quality on first‑piece checks and first‑article inspection, when required, before moving a job into routine production.

Process Improvement Responsibilities

• Solve programming and machining problems. Identify the cause of poor finish, tool wear, scrap, rework or lost production time.
• Improve proven jobs by reducing unnecessary setups, handling and cycle time while protecting part quality.
• Work with management to review new mill and lathe work, choose a suitable machine and make better use of existing capacity.
• Keep programs, Mastercam files, setup sheets and revisions organized so the correct information is available for repeat jobs.
• Document successful methods and share them with the team. Coordinate with machinists, Quality and management when a job changes.
• Follow shop safety and quality procedures. Help other employees learn proven methods when your experience allows.

Required Qualifications

• At least one year of hands‑on CNC programming experience in milling, turning or both. Candidates with 1–2 years or more are encouraged to apply. Experience in both areas is preferred; you must be ready to develop any gaps.
• Familiarity with Mastercam, including creating or editing machining operations and toolpaths. Mastercam is the software used in our shop.
• Practical knowledge of CNC setup and machining. Understand tooling, workholding, tool offsets, feeds, speeds and basic G‑code and M‑code. Be able to apply these skills to assigned mill and lathe work.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and apply tolerances.
• Experience programming machines like those listed below, or a demonstrated ability to learn comparable machines and controls quickly.
• Ability to explain a machining problem, follow through on corrections and work with others. Know when to ask for technical or quality review.
• A careful approach to safety, part quality, documentation and attendance.
• Machining coursework, an apprenticeship or a technical certificate is helpful. Practical programming experience remains required; a four‑year degree is not required.

Equipment You May Support

Our milling equipment includes Haas, Matsuura and Hurco machining centers. Our turning equipment includes Daewoo Puma, Doosan Lynx and SMART turning centers, along with Tornos Swiss equipment.

You do not need experience on every machine listed. You must be able to transfer your programming skills to the equipment assigned to you and learn its safe operation.

Helpful Additional Experience

• Independently programming and setting up 3‑axis milling jobs and CNC turning jobs.
• Milling: 4th‑ or 5th‑axis indexing, probing, pallet changers and more advanced multi‑axis work.
• Turning: live tooling, subspindle transfers, bar feeders, C‑axis or Y‑axis work, and Swiss machining.
• Working in a precision job shop with changing part requirements and repeat orders.
• Helping machinists solve setup problems or teaching proven methods.
• Medical benefits.
• Paid time off.
• Overtime pay.
• Climate‑controlled shop.

Benefit eligibility and coverage follow company policies and plan terms. Overtime hours depend on production needs.

This is an on‑site shop role. The work includes time at machines and at a computer. Tasks may involve standing, moving around the shop and handling parts or tooling. You will follow safe lifting and handling practices, use required protective equipment, and keep clear of moving machinery. Job requirements and any accommodation needs can be discussed during hiring.

Learn more about Astro Craft at www.astrocraft.com.