Design Associate Jobs in Appleton, WI (NOW HIRING)

Job Title

CAD Programmer

Job Description

As a CAD Programmer, you will be responsible for interpreting engineering drawings, blueprints, and specifications to determine fabrication requirements, critical dimensions, tolerances, and material needs. You will create and maintain CNC programs for turret punches, press brakes, and other sheet metal fabrication equipment, ensuring manufacturability and production efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain CNC programs for turret punches, press brakes, and other sheet metal fabrication equipment.
• Develop flat patterns and ensure programs support manufacturability and production efficiency.
• Review drawings for accuracy and resolve discrepancies before production.
• Optimize tooling, machine selection, and material usage to reduce waste and improve productivity.
• Troubleshoot programming and production issues while supporting shop floor operations and first-run validation.
• Design, build, and implement manufacturing fixtures to improve quality, consistency, and repeatability.
• Partner with production and engineering teams on process improvements, automation initiatives, and continuous improvement projects.
• Maintain program, fixture, and process documentation to support ongoing manufacturing processes.

Essential Skills

• Experience reading and interpreting blueprints.
• Ability to create and program flat pattern layouts.
• Associate degree or certificate in Mechanical Design strongly preferred, or equivalent relevant experience.

Work Environment

This position involves spending 75% of the time sitting and the other 25% on the shop floor. The role requires working 40 hours per week, with long periods of sitting and an intermediate amount of standing or walking.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Neenah, WI.

The pay range for this position is $34.50 - $36.50/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Neenah,WI.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 10, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.