CNC Programmer / Tool Maker

Body Art Alliance; Oakdale (CA); On-site; USD 82,000 - 101,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Body Art Alliance in Oakdale, CA is seeking a skilled CNC Programmer / Tool Maker to own tooling, fixtures, and jigs for milling operations. You will take tooling from concept through production, supporting it across its lifecycle and collaborating with R&D to improve manufacturability.

The role requires CAD/CAM proficiency, DFMein work, and experience with titanium or similar hard materials. You will design fixtures, write CAM programs, and work to reduce cycle times while maintaining tight

Qualifications

• 5+ years CNC programming experience for milling.
• Tool and die or machinist apprenticeship preferred.
• Degree in Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering is welcome.

Responsibilities

• Design fixtures, jigs, and workholding for milling operations.
• Write, edit, and optimize CNC programs for milling machines.
• Apply DFM principles to tooling and product designs.
• Machine, assemble, and prove out tooling and fixtures; run first articles.
• Maintain tooling, fixtures, and new program documentation.
• Train machinists on new programs and fixtures.
• Monitor health and safety regulations in shop activities.

Skills

CAD proficiency

CAM programming

DFM knowledge

5-axis milling

GD&T

Titanium machining

G-code editing

Problem solving

Communication skills

Lean Manufacturing

Education

Tool and Die Apprenticeship

Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering degree (optional)

Tools

SolidWorks

Mastercam

Fusion 360

Esprit

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: NeoMetal CA - Oakdale, CA 95361, Salary Range: $82,000.00 - $101,000.00 Salary/year, RELOCATION SUPPORT AVAILABLE: For the right candidate ready to make the move, we offer relocation assistance to help you get to Oakdale.

Who We Are

Body Art Alliance is the leader in the body art self-expression space, an alliance of artist led brands advancing the industry through innovation, service, and education. Every brand under BAA is built on the same idea: the people who wear this jewelry, and the piercers who place it, deserve products made with real craft and real respect for the industry that inspires them.

NeoMetal is one of BAA's flagship brands, and the original name in threadless body jewelry. Since 1997, what started as a small family business in a tiny room has grown into a Company trusted by professional piercers around the world, without losing the independent, hands-on spirit it started with. Every piece is precision machined in the United States out of solid implant grade titanium, from raw material to final polish, all under one roof at our own manufacturing facility. Crafted in California. Trusted worldwide.

Let's Talk About the Role

We are looking for a skilled CNC Programmer / Tool Maker to own the tooling, fixtures, and jigs that keep our milling operations running. You will take tooling from first concept and CAD design through machining, prove-out, and production, then support it across its full lifecycle as our product lines scale. Design for Manufacturability (DFM) is at the core of this role. The right person thrives in a fast-paced, hands-on, entrepreneurial environment where your work is visible in the product on day one.

Responsibilities

• Design fixtures, jigs, and workholding for vertical and 5-axis milling operations, from initial concept through production release.
• Write, edit, and optimize CNC programs for milling machines using CAM software, including toolpath strategy, feeds and speeds, and cycle time reduction.
• Apply DFM principles to tooling and product designs, partnering with R&D to make new products manufacturable at volume.
• Machine, assemble, and prove out tooling and fixtures, running first article inspections and refining designs until they run reliably in production.
• Support the full lifecycle of tooling, fixtures, and jigs: maintenance, repair, modification, revision control, and eventual replacement.
• Develop tooling and fixturing that reduces setup and changeover time (SMED) and increases machine availability.
• Create and maintain setup sheets, tool lists, program documentation, and fixture drawings.
• Troubleshoot machining issues such as tool wear, chatter, dimensional drift, and scrap, and implement corrective actions.
• Partner with quality assurance to hold tight tolerances and reduce scrap on small, precision titanium parts.
• Manage cutting tool selection, tool life, and tooling inventory to control cost while sustaining quality.
• Train and support machinists and production staff on new programs, fixtures, and setups.
• Follow health, safety, and environmental regulations in all shop activities.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Train and support production staff on new processes and equipment, and develop standardized work.
• Monitor production KPIs and prepare reports for management.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

• Strong CAD proficiency is a must (SolidWorks or similar), with the ability to take a fixture from concept to fully detailed drawings.
• Proficiency in CAM programming (Mastercam, Fusion 360, Esprit, or similar) and hands‑on G-code editing.
• Solid working knowledge of DFM and how design decisions affect machinability, cost, and cycle time.
• Experience programming and setting up 3-axis and 5-axis vertical mills.
• Strong understanding of GD&T, blueprint reading, and precision measurement (micrometers, height gauges, CMM, optical comparators).
• Experience machining titanium or other difficult materials is a strong plus.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills, with a track record of root cause and corrective action work.
• Strong communication skills and the initiative to work collaboratively in a team‑oriented, entrepreneurial environment.
• ISO 9001 or Lean Manufacturing experience is a plus.
• Knowledge of Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, or related methodologies is a plus.

Qualifications and Education

• 5+ years of CNC programming experience for milling, including tooling and fixture design.
• Tool and die, toolmaker, or machinist apprenticeship or certification preferred; a degree in Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering, or equivalent experience, is also welcome.

Preferred

• Experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with ERP systems (for example, NetSuite) and production planning tools.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.
• Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing certification.

Why Oakdale, Why the Central Valley

This role is based at our own manufacturing floor in Oakdale, California, in the heart of the Central Valley, and for the right candidate, relocation support is available.

Oakdale calls itself the Cowboy Capital of the World, and it has the small town character to match: real neighborhoods, real community, and a pace of life that does not disappear into a two hour commute. It sits on the Stanislaus River at the edge of the Sierra Nevada foothills, part of the greater Modesto area, with the amenities of a larger city a short drive away and the Sierra, and Yosemite beyond it, even closer.

For someone used to coastal California prices, the Central Valley is a different conversation entirely: more house, more land, and more room to build a life, on an engineer's salary. You get to do serious, precision manufacturing work, the kind that ships to piercers worldwide, without the overhead of living somewhere just to be near it.

If you have ever wanted to trade a longer commute and a smaller apartment for a shorter drive and a bigger yard, this is that opportunity.