Swiss CNC Machinist

CalTek Staffing; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

CalTek Staffing is seeking a hands-on Swiss Set-up Machinist - Jr. Programmer in San Jose. You will own the Swiss CNC lathe, edit programs, and work with engineers to turn drawings into physical samples.

The role involves prototype development, inspection, and lab testing, with opportunities to expand programming skills and support engineering tasks. The ideal candidate brings strong Swiss setup skills, understanding of CNC programs, and the initiative to learn; CAM experience is not required at

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience setting up Swiss-type CNC lathes.
• Ability to read and modify existing CNC programs.
• Strong blueprint-reading skills and GD&T understanding.
• Familiarity with Fanuc or similar CNC controls.
• Willingness to learn programming and laboratory testing.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate a Swiss-type CNC lathe with tooling, offsets, and bar-feeder prep.
• Read drawings to determine setup, tooling, and inspection requirements.
• Read, edit, and troubleshoot CNC programs with G&M codes.
• Produce and inspect first articles; adjust to meet dimensions and finishes.
• Collaborate with engineers to machine prototype and preproduction parts.
• Develop ability to write programs for new parts using subprograms and macros.

Skills

G&M codes

Blueprint reading

Swiss machining

CNC programming

GD&T

Tools

Fanuc controls

SolidWorks

Job description

Title: Swiss Set-up Machinist - Jr. Programmer
Location: San Jose
Type: Direct Hire – Benefited
Compensation: $40-$46/hr.

About the Opportunity

An established precision component manufacturer is seeking a hands-on Swiss CNC setup machinist to support its engineering and product-development team in San Jose.
This position combines Swiss machining, prototype development, precision inspection, and laboratory testing. You will take responsibility for the site's Swiss CNC lathe, help engineers turn drawings into physical samples, and learn equipment used to evaluate product performance.

The opportunity is well suited to an experienced setup machinist who understands G&M codes, confidently edits programs, and wants to develop further programming skills while expanding into engineering support.

You do not need to be an established CAM programmer or have previous laboratory experience. You should bring strong Swiss setup skills, a practical understanding of CNC programs, and the initiative to learn.

The Work Environment

You will support a small engineering team in a facility with one Swiss CNC machine. The work centers on new parts, changing requirements, sample production, and testing. Your responsibilities will extend beyond the machine to include inspection, documentation, and laboratory support. A CAM platform has not yet been implemented, so comfort reading and modifying code directly at the control is important. Programming responsibilities will reflect your demonstrated abilities and expand as you develop proficiency.

What You Will Do

• Independently set up and operate a Swiss-type CNC lathe, including tooling, collets, guide-bushing adjustments, work offsets, and bar-feeder preparation.
• Read engineering drawings and determine the setup, tooling, and inspection requirements for assigned work.
• Read, edit, and troubleshoot existing CNC programs using G&M codes.
• Produce and inspect first articles, making adjustments to achieve required dimensions and finishes.
• Work with engineers to machine prototype and preproduction components and incorporate design revisions.
• Develop your ability to write programs for new parts and use subprograms, macros, and reusable programming methods.
• Improve machining processes through adjustments to tooling, cutting parameters, and operation sequences.
• Learn to operate laboratory and product-testing equipment, prepare samples, and record results.
• Maintain organized records of programs, setups, tooling, samples, and inspection results.
• Help troubleshoot machining and test-equipment problems and maintain an organized work area.

What You Bring

• Hands-on experience independently setting up Swiss-type CNC lathes through first-piece inspection.
• A working understanding of G&M codes and the ability to explain and modify an existing machining program.
• Experience making program changes beyond routine tool-offset adjustments.
• Familiarity with Fanuc or comparable CNC controls.
• Strong blueprint-reading skills and a practical understanding of dimensions, tolerances, and GD&T.
• Experience inspecting parts using micrometers, calipers, gauges, and other precision measuring equipment.
• Sound judgment when selecting tools, adjusting cutting parameters, and troubleshooting dimensional problems.
• Basic computer skills for documentation, email, and spreadsheets.
• Interest in developing programming skills and learning laboratory testing.
• The ability to work independently, communicate clearly with engineers, and recognize when technical guidance is needed.

Helpful Experience

• Star Swiss machines; experience with Citizen, Tsugami, Nomura, or other Swiss platforms is also relevant.
• Writing simple programs by hand or substantially adapting existing programs for new parts.
• Macro programming, subprograms, or part-family programming.
• Prototype, short-run, or high-mix machining.
• CAM software, SolidWorks, or other CAD tools.
• CMM inspection, test equipment, or structured quality documentation.

Who Will Enjoy This Role

This role offers an opportunity to build on a strong Swiss setup foundation and become a broader technical resource for an engineering team. It is a good fit for someone who enjoys making parts, understanding how they perform, solving unfamiliar problems, and learning skills beyond traditional production machining.