NC Programmer II

GKN Aerospace; El Cajon (CA); On-site; USD 62,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

GKN Aerospace in California is seeking a skilled CNC programmer to develop and optimize part programs for complex 5-axis components. You will analyze drawings, engineering specs, and tolerances to ensure manufacturability and quality.

Responsibilities include creating NC programs, tooling, setup instructions, and operator guidance while mentoring junior staff and maintaining engineering change documentation.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; specialized programming certification preferred.
• 3+ years of NC programming and math modelling experience, with emphasis on 5-axis complex surfaces.

Responsibilities

• Develops/revises/proofs CNC programs for complex math-modeled, computer-generated parts to meet specs.
• Analyzes drawings, processes, tolerances, material specs and fixtures to determine feasibility and constraints of part programs.
• Defines part geometry from CAD sources to manufacture components on NC machines.
• Develops manufacturing packages including tool orders, setup sheets, cutting tool descriptions, NC operations sheets and operator instructions.
• Maintains software/document data to reflect engineering changes and ensure traceability per customer instructions; updates NC directories.
• Guides machine operators and mentors junior programmers to ensure understanding and support of manufacturing functions.
• Contributes to cost, quality, process, schedule and people goals; supports safe workplace and environmental compliance.

Skills

5-axis programming

math modelling

NC programming

customer communication

Education

High school diploma

Programming certification (preferred)

Tools

Unigraphics NX

Vericut

Fanuc controls

Siemens 840D controls

Job description

Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.

GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry, we’re inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We’re proud to play a part in protecting the world’s democracies. And we’re committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 32 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.6bn in 2025. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

Job Summary

Working under limited supervision, develops part programs used by Computerized Numerical Control (CNC) machining tools to manufacture precision components to meet blueprint, operations sheet and customer specifications.

Job Responsibilities

• Develops/revises/proofs programs for complex math-modeled and computer-generated parts surfacing programs to ensure products meet specifications.


• Analyzes engineering drawings, operations sheets, blueprints, process requirements and parts complexity to determine the feasibility of performing the required functions for each part program. Factors to be considered include configuration, tolerances, material specifications, surface finish requirements, material requirements, cutting tool requirements, heat treat requirements, machine tool capacities/capabilities and local fixturing required to manufacture the product.


• Defines part geometry from various sources utilizing CAD or Automated program Tools to manufacture components on NC machine tools.


• Develops manufacturing package which includes tool order, tool set-up sheets, cutting tool descriptions, NC operations sheets, operator instructions and program manuscript.


• Maintains all software/document data to efficiently update numerical control part programs to reflect engineering changes. Controls such information to protect and maintain traceability per customer software instructions. Updates/maintains NC directory files.


• Guides/mentors/advises machine operators to ensure understanding of program function and obtain feedback on program performance. Mentors lower level programmers to ensure high level of support for manufacturing and engineering functions.


• Assist in the development and maintenance of a business culture, which supports the Company's overall business objectives and goals, to include issues that involve “cost, quality, process, schedule and people”.


• Ensure the company's commitment to maintain a safe workplace and to protect the environment through the establishment and support of Company policy and adherence to various government regulations.


• Fully comply with the \"GKN Aerospace, Inc. Policy Statement on Contracting with the United States Government\" in all areas of responsibility involving direct and indirect contracting with the United States Government.


• Performs other related duties, tasks and responsibilities as assigned.

Job Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent combination of education and experience. Specialized programming certification preferred.


• 3+ years of experience in numerical control parts programming and math modelling experience with an emphasis on 5-axis complex surfaces parts machine programming.

Preferred Qualifications

• GKN Experience


• Experience using Unigraphics (NX) programming software.


• Experience using Vericut simulation software.


• Experience with Fanuc and Siemens 840D controls


• Must possess an extensive machining background to be able to read/interpret blueprint, drawing and ANSI Y14.5 specifications.


• Must possess a practical knowledge of engineering techniques and the properties/limitations on machinery, fixturing and materials.


• Must have excellent basic math, trigonometry and geometry skills. Must have good understand of cutting tool techniques and manufacturing methods and processes. Demonstrated ability to communicate successfully with a range of customers.

Compensation Range

• The compensation range for this postion is between $45.00-$65.00 per hour.

We’ll offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry; and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further. And with some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go?

A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working

Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN. We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment. Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging and by living our five powerful principles we’ve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute. It’s a culture that won us ‘The Best Workplace Culture Award’. By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work.

We’re also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know.

We are the place where human dreams, plus human endeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology.