Programmer 1 Jobs in Rochester, MN (NOW HIRING)

Build Your Career with Ashley Furniture- Where Innovation Meets Comfort

Who We Are:

At Ashley, inspiring the love of home is at the heart of everything we do. As the worlds largest manufacturer of home furnishings, were more than a business were a family driven by innovation, competitiveness, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. We persevere through challenges, push beyond the status quo, and constantly seek better ways to deliver an exceptional customer experience. Our solutions-first mindset and dedication to growth are why Ashley remains #1 in our industry.

If youre ready to grow, youve come to the right place. With a true Growth Mindset, Ashley Furniture invests in developing future leaders and helps every team member learn from the best in the business.

If you are a current Ashley employee: Please login to your UKG account and apply using the internal job board.

Summary:

The Senior CNC Programmer is responsible for developing, maintaining, and optimizing CNC programs, machining processes, and manufacturing systems across Ashley Furniture, Wanvog Furniture, and Wanek Furniture facilities. This role drives continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, productivity, material utilization, and cost reduction while supporting new product introductions, equipment implementation, tooling development, and process standardization across multiple manufacturing locations.

Responsibilities:

CNC Programming Process Optimization

• Develop, maintain, and improve CNC programs and setup documentation for manufacturing operations.
• Determine optimal machining methods, machine assignments, tooling selections, and production workflows to maximize efficiency, quality, throughput, and cost effectiveness.
• Create dynamically nested programs and ensure program compatibility across multiple facilities.
• Analyze part geometry and recommend design improvements that enhance manufacturability and reduce costs.
• Complete Engineering Introduction Orders (EIOs) and Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) accurately and in a timely manner.

Manufacturing Support Continuous Improvement

• Partner with CNC operators, supervisors, engineers, and manufacturing leadership to resolve production issues and improve performance.
• Troubleshoot programming, tooling, machine, process, maintenance, safety, and quality concerns.
• Evaluate cycle times, setups, operator movement, machine utilization, and process flow to identify improvement opportunities.
• Develop and implement best practices and standardized manufacturing processes across facilities.
• Lead initiatives focused on productivity improvements, waste reduction, ergonomic enhancements, and cost savings.

Material Yield Cost Improvement

• Analyze raw material utilization, including foam buns, boards, fiber, and other materials, to maximize yield and minimize waste.
• Recommend material sizing and specifications to manufacturing and purchasing teams.
• Collaborate with suppliers to optimize material production capabilities and yield performance.
• Investigate material and inventory variances and develop solutions to improve accuracy and reduce costs.
• Evaluate and implement strategies for repurposing offal and scrap materials.

Product Development Prototype Support

• Collaborate with engineering, design, manufacturing, maintenance, and facility teams to develop prototypes, sample parts, fixtures, signage, and special projects.
• Ensure products and components can be effectively manufactured using existing equipment and processes.
• Support design for manufacturability initiatives and product improvement efforts.

Software Systems Development

• Maintain CNC programming software, databases, and related manufacturing systems.
• Assist with evaluation, testing, implementation, and training for software upgrades and new releases.
• Work with software vendors to resolve issues and recommend enhancements that improve functionality and efficiency.
• Collaborate with IT to develop and maintain in-house manufacturing software tools and applications.

Equipment Tooling Development

• Assist with the design, specification, testing, installation, and commissioning of CNC equipment.
• Research emerging manufacturing technologies and recommend equipment investments.
• Support machine acceptance testing and verify compliance with design specifications.
• Partner with maintenance teams to troubleshoot equipment issues and improve preventive maintenance practices.
• Design and develop CNC tooling, including prototype testing, evaluation, and implementation.

Data Management Project Leadership

• Maintain accurate CNC programming databases, engineering systems, BOM structures, and production records.
• Monitor obsolete data and ensure system integrity.
• Utilize forecasting, usage, and costing data to quantify project savings and support business decisions.
• Manage projects from concept through implementation.
• Research and respond to employee improvement suggestions submitted through the IDEA Network.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Engineering Technology, CNC Programming, or related field preferred.
• 3-5 years of CNC programming, manufacturing engineering, or machining experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting multiple CNC machine platforms and manufacturing facilities preferred.
• Experience with CAD/CAM software, CNC nesting software, and manufacturing databases.
• Strong CNC programming and machining process knowledge.
• Proficiency with CAD/CAM systems and CNC manufacturing software.
• Knowledge of tooling design, fixture development, and machine setup optimization.
• Understanding of lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and waste reduction methodologies.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills across engineering, production, maintenance, purchasing, and leadership teams.
• Knowledge of BOM management, engineering change processes, and manufacturing data systems.

Work Environment:

This position is located in an active industrial manufacturing and distribution center with moderate to high noise levels, temperature variations, and material handling equipment in operation. The role may require extended periods of standing or walking on concrete floors and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses and steel-toed boots. The fast-paced environment involves time-sensitive and safety sensitive operations and may include various shift schedules to support production and distribution needs.

Benefits We Offer:

• Health, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off; increases with years of service
• Generous Employee Discount on home furnishings
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Tuition Assistance
• Ashley Wellness Centers (location specific)
• 401(k) and Profit Sharing
• Life Insurance

Our Core Values:

• Honesty Integrity:Acts with transparency, discretion, and ethical judgment. Trusted to handle sensitive information and provide accurate, unbiased insights.

• (Dirty Fingernail:Takes full accountability for outcomes, not just tasks. Inspects details, ensures data accuracy, and follows through to completion.

• Continuous Improvement:Actively seeks better ways to improve templates, tools, and processes. Learns from prior initiatives and embeds lessons into standard work.

• Growth Results Focus:Understands how transformation initiatives drive growth, cost reduction, and profitability. Keeps work aligned to enterprise priorities.

• Culture of Leadership:Leads through influence, reliability, and example. Builds trust across functions and supports leaders at every level.

• Customer-Centric Boundaryless:Works across silos for the greater good of the organization. Ensures outputs meet the needs of executives, initiative owners, and teams.

• Operational Excellence:Demonstrates strong organizational discipline, attention to detail, and the ability to translate ambiguity into clear, executable tools.

Interested in learning more about Ashley Furnitures Community Engagement programs, Environmental Stewardship, or our Core Values, click the links below:

Corporate Social Responsibility

View Our Corporate Brochure

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and provide a drug-free working environment. While Ashley appreciates the interest of all candidates only those meeting specific position requirements may be contacted. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. The company reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

Notice to Search Firms: We are not seeking assistance or accepting unsolicited resumes from search firms. We will not pay any placement, referral or other fees to any search firms unless we have agreed otherwise in a valid, written agreement for the specific position posted and signed by an authorized representative of Ashley Furniture Industries.

* Please note this position is not eligible for current or future employment sponsorship. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or at any time in the future.