Senior 5-Axis CNC Machinist & Programmer – Day Shift

Surface Engineering; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 56,826 - 80,934; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(k) with company match

Weekly pay

Profit sharing

Paid vacation and sick days

Job summary

Surface Engineering in Sunnyvale is looking for an experienced 5-axis CNC Machinist / Programmer to take ownership of complex machining tasks. Candidates should have over 5 years of experience in CNC machining, particularly with advanced 5-axis setups.

The role involves programming, creating machining strategies, and troubleshooting precision components in a stable production environment.

Competitive pay starting at $50+/hr, with benefits including medical insurance, profit sharing, and a supportive quality department.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of CNC machining experience.
• Strong experience setting up and programming complex 5-axis work.
• Comfortable troubleshooting machining issues independently.

Responsibilities

• Program, set up, and machine complex 5-axis components.
• Create machining strategies for high-precision parts.
• Troubleshoot machining issues and continuously improve processes.

Skills

CNC machining experience

Setting up complex 5-axis work

Blueprint interpretation

Troubleshooting machining issues

Strong communication skills

Tools

Fusion 360

Heidenhain control

Advanced metrology equipment

Job description

🔎At a Glance

Company: Surface Engineering
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Pay Range: $50+ per hour (based on experience)
Shift: 1st Shift | Monday–Friday | 7:00am–4:00pm (some flexibility available)
Overtime: Available
Experience Level: Senior Level | 5+ years of experience
Work Authorization: Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
Apply Link: Apply directly through hireCNC

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Why This Role Exists

Surface Engineering is expanding its internal machining capabilities and continuing to invest heavily in advanced equipment and complex manufacturing work. Historically known for ultra-high precision finishing and motion system components used in semiconductor equipment, the company has increased its in-house machining capacity to support growth and greater manufacturing control.

As part of that expansion, Surface Engineering is looking for an experienced 5-axis CNC Machinist / Programmer who can take ownership of highly complex work involving challenging geometries, precision fixturing, and multi-axis machining strategies.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys difficult parts, solving machining problems, and programming setups that require creativity—not repetitive production work.

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The Work You’ll Be Doing

In this role, you will:

• Program, set up, and machine complex 5-axis components
• Create machining strategies for high-precision parts with demanding geometries
• Establish workholding and fixturing approaches that minimize part deformation
• Program and optimize toolpaths using CAM software
• Set tooling, offsets, and machine parameters
• Perform first-article and in-process inspection
• Work closely with engineering and quality teams
• Troubleshoot machining issues and continuously improve processes

Many parts involve highly complex geometries with hundreds of features and extremely demanding tolerances. Surface Engineering builds precision motion system components used in semiconductor manufacturing environments.

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Machines, Controls & Software

You'll work with equipment such as:

Machines:

• Hermle C600U
• DMG DMU 100 Micro Precision
• Additional advanced 5-axis platforms as equipment expands

Controls:

• Heidenhain TNC
• TNC 7 environment expanding in the future

CAM Software:

• Fusion 360
• Open to machinists from other CAM backgrounds willing to learn Fusion

Inspection Equipment:

• Advanced metrology equipment
• Strong quality support systems
• Precision inspection resources

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Materials You'll Work With

• Aluminum (~75%)
• Titanium
• Stainless steel
• Precision tooling materials including diamond tooling applications

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What We're Looking For

Required:

• 5+ years of CNC machining experience
• Strong experience setting up and programming complex 5-axis work
• Strong understanding of GD&T
• Ability to fixture parts while minimizing distortion and deformation
• Strong blueprint interpretation skills
• Experience with advanced setup work and process ownership
• Comfortable troubleshooting machining issues independently
• Strong communication and team mindset

Preferred (Not Required):

• Hermle experience
• DMG experience
• Heidenhain control experience
• TNC 7 familiarity
• Fusion 360 experience
• Semiconductor, aerospace, medical, or precision manufacturing background

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Why Machinists Like Working Here

Machinists choose Surface Engineering because:

• Average employee tenure is approximately 7 years with some employees there over 30 years
• Temperature-controlled facility
• Stable repeat production environment—not a traditional high-mix job shop
• Opportunity to work on extremely technical and challenging parts
• Advanced equipment rarely found elsewhere
• Strong quality department and support team
• Weekly pay
• Profit sharing and performance bonuses

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Pay, Benefits & Schedule

Pay Range: $50+/hr DOE

Bonus Structure:

• Up to 10% annual bonus potential
• Two bonus opportunities annually of up to 5% each

Benefits:

• Medical insurance (85% employee premium covered)
• Dependent coverage assistance
• 401(k) with up to 3% company match
• Profit sharing
• Weekly pay
• PTO
• 10 vacation days
• 5 sick days
• 10 paid holidays
• PTO growth tied to experience and tenure

Schedule:

Monday–Friday
7:00am–4:00pm
Flexible start times available
Overtime available

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Apply

Interested machinists can apply directly through hireCNC.

👉 Apply Now or Save This Job to come back later.