Surfcam Programmer Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Job Overview

We are seeking a skilled and detail-oriented CNC Machinist to join our team. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys variety, solving machining challenges, and working with different parts rather than running the same production job every day.

A large portion of our work consists of precision prototype and low-volume machining, with many jobs being fewer than 10 pieces. This means you will regularly work on new parts, different materials, unique setups, and challenging machining applications. The ability to read a print, determine the best way to make a part, and work through a setup is highly valued.

The machinist will set up and operate CNC mills and lathes, perform quality inspections, make program and tool adjustments, and help develop efficient machining processes.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate CNC milling machines and CNC lathes to produce precision components.

• Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, GD&T, and customer specifications.

• Set up workholding, tooling, offsets, and cutting tools for a variety of parts and materials.

• Use a CAM programming system to create and modify CNC programs.

• SURFCAM experience is preferred, but experience with other CAM systems is also valuable.

• Make program, tooling, and offset adjustments at the machine to maintain part quality and improve machining processes.

• Inspect finished parts using micrometers, calipers, bore gauges, indicators, height gauges, and other precision measuring equipment.

• Troubleshoot machining and setup issues and determine practical solutions.

• Work with engineering and other machinists to develop efficient methods for machining new and prototype parts.

• Perform occasional manual machining, grinding, drilling, and other general machine-shop tasks.

• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment.

• Help identify opportunities to improve setups, tooling, programs, and overall machining efficiency.

Experience & Qualifications

• CNC machining experience in a machine shop environment.

• Strong ability to read and understand mechanical drawings and blueprints.

• Experience setting up CNC mills and/or lathes.

• Ability to use precision measuring equipment such as micrometers, calipers, indicators, and bore gauges.

• Good understanding of feeds, speeds, tooling, workholding, and machining practices.

• Experience programming CNC machines using a CAM system is preferred.

• SURFCAM experience is a plus.

• Familiarity with G-code and the ability to make basic program edits is beneficial.

• Understanding of GD&T is preferred.

• Good mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills.

• Basic math skills for machining calculations.

Programming Experience

CAM programming experience is preferred, but it is not required for the right candidate.

If you are an experienced machinist who has not done CAM programming, we are willing to train the right person in CNC programming and our CAM software. We are more interested in finding someone with strong machining skills, mechanical aptitude, attention to detail, and a willingness to learn than requiring a candidate to already know every aspect of programming.

Why This Position Is Different

Our shop specializes in precision, low-volume and prototype work. Many of our jobs are one-off parts or runs of fewer than 10 pieces. You will have the opportunity to work on a wide variety of challenging parts rather than spending your day running the same production job.

If you enjoy figuring out how to make a part, setting up machines, solving problems, and continually learning, this position could be a great fit.

We are looking for someone who takes pride in producing quality parts and wants to grow their machining and programming skills with our team.