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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for CNC Manufacturing Specialist

💰 $50,000 - $80,000

ManufacturingCNCSkilled TradesEngineeringPrecision Machining

🎯 Role Definition

The CNC Manufacturing Specialist is a skilled technician responsible for the setup, programming, operation, troubleshooting and continuous improvement of CNC milling and turning centers to produce precision components that meet print specifications and quality standards. This role combines hands-on machining, CAD/CAM programming, process documentation, and cross-functional collaboration with engineering, quality, and production planning to deliver on-time parts at the required tolerances using best practices in safety, lean manufacturing and ISO-compliant quality control.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • CNC Operator / Machine Operator
  • Apprentice Machinist or Trade School Graduate (CNC program)
  • Production Technician with machining experience

Advancement To:

  • Senior CNC Programmer / Senior Machinist
  • CNC Supervisor or Production Supervisor
  • Manufacturing Engineer / Process Engineer
  • Tooling & Fixturing Engineer

Lateral Moves:

  • Quality Inspector / Metrology Technician
  • CAD/CAM Specialist
  • Maintenance Technician (industrial machinery)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Program multi-axis CNC milling and turning machines using CAD/CAM software (Mastercam, Fusion 360, Edgecam, GibbsCAM) to convert engineering drawings and specifications into efficient, toolpath-optimized G-code programs that minimize cycle time while maintaining part quality and tool life.
  • Set up and align workholding, fixtures, and tooling for conventional and CNC machines, including chucks, collets, vises, soft jaws and custom fixtures, ensuring correct orientation, datum referencing and secure clamping for safe, repeatable machining.
  • Load, operate, monitor and adjust CNC lathes, vertical and horizontal mills, and Swiss-type machining centers to produce precision parts to specified tolerances, ensuring machine parameters, spindle speeds, feeds, and coolant are appropriate for material and tool selection.
  • Read, interpret and verify engineering drawings, 3D CAD models (SolidWorks, Inventor), geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), surface finish symbols and bill of materials to confirm manufacturing intent and critical features before production.
  • Perform first-article inspections and in-process quality checks using precision measurement equipment (calipers, micrometers, height gauges, CMMs, surface finish testers) to confirm parts meet dimensional and surface finish requirements; document nonconformances and implement corrective actions.
  • Troubleshoot machining issues such as chatter, tool breakage, inaccurate offsets, burrs, and dimensional drift; diagnose root causes (tool wear, fixturing, machine backlash) and apply corrective actions including offset adjustments, toolpath modifications and fixture redesign.
  • Create, update and maintain CNC program libraries, tooling lists, cutting parameter databases, and standardized setup sheets to support repeatability, reduce setup time and enable quick changeovers.
  • Optimize machining processes to reduce cycle times, extend tool life, and minimize scrap through feed/speed tuning, adaptive machining strategies, coolant selection and implementation of high-efficiency milling/tapping techniques.
  • Select, mount and recondition cutting tools, toolholders and inserts; maintain tool inventory and tool presets; program and table offsets in the control to ensure proper tool length and diameter compensation.
  • Collaborate with design engineering to recommend manufacturability improvements, tolerance relaxations, material substitutions and cost-saving design adjustments that facilitate efficient CNC production.
  • Perform routine preventative maintenance and basic repairs on CNC machines and peripherals (tool changers, probes, coolant systems) and escalate issues to maintenance/engineering when necessary; log machine maintenance activities.
  • Implement and support continuous improvement projects (5S, Kaizen, SMED) to increase throughput, reduce waste, standardize setups and improve workplace ergonomics and safety.
  • Maintain strict adherence to safety procedures and PPE requirements; perform lockout/tagout when servicing equipment and ensure proper guarding and safe material handling practices are in place.
  • Prepare and manage job travelers, production orders and inspection reports in the shop floor ERP/MRP system to ensure accurate traceability, lot control and production scheduling.
  • Conduct process capability studies (CPk) and statistical process control (SPC) activities, analyze process data, and work with quality/engineering to implement corrective and preventive actions for sustained process stability.
  • Program and verify probing routines and on-machine measurement cycles to automate in-process inspection and adaptive tool offset corrections, reducing scrap and manual inspection time.
  • Train and mentor junior machinists and CNC operators on best practices for setup, tooling selection, program verification, part inspection and machine maintenance to build team capabilities.
  • Manage tight-tolerance and high-value work by coordinating with subcontractors for heat treat, plating or specialized finishing operations while ensuring foreign material controls (FOD) and traceability.
  • Generate and update standard operating procedures (SOPs), fixture drawings, setup documentation and machining instructions to capture tribal knowledge and support scaling of production.
  • Execute quick-turn prototype and low-volume production runs, providing feedback to engineering on manufacturability and lead time estimates while maintaining quality and schedule commitments.
  • Conduct root cause analysis for nonconforming parts, lead corrective action documentation (CAR) and implement process changes to eliminate recurrence and improve overall process robustness.
  • Work cross-functionally with purchasing to evaluate and qualify new tooling vendors, gauges and cutting tool technology that improve machining performance or reduce cost-per-part.

Secondary Functions

  • Maintain accurate production logs, tooling usage records and scrap/rework documentation to support cost accounting and continuous improvement metrics.
  • Assist quality department with internal audits and support external customer or ISO audits by providing process documentation, control plans and capability data.
  • Participate in production planning meetings to communicate machine capacity, setup requirements and lead times for job scheduling optimization.
  • Support engineering on prototype iterations by rapidly implementing and testing updated programs, fixtures or tooling to accelerate design validation cycles.
  • Help develop training materials and competency checklists for new hires and cross-trained personnel to ensure consistent quality and safe operation across shifts.
  • Evaluate and pilot new machining technologies such as high-speed machining, trochoidal milling and live tooling capabilities to improve throughput and part quality.
  • Provide technical input for capital equipment purchases by evaluating machine specifications, software compatibility, service/supportability and ROI.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • CNC programming proficiency (G-code writing, CAM toolpath generation) using Mastercam, Fusion 360, GibbsCAM, or equivalent.
  • Strong ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and 3D CAD models (SolidWorks, Inventor); apply GD&T principles.
  • Hands-on operation and setup experience with CNC lathes, vertical/horizontal mills, multi-axis machines and Swiss-type equipment.
  • Proficiency with manual and digital metrology tools: micrometers, calipers, height gauges, dial indicators and CMM operation.
  • Knowledge of tooling and toolholder systems (collets, ER, CAT/BT, HSK, hydraulic chucks), inserts, coatings and selecting cutting conditions (speeds/feeds).
  • Experience with fixture design, workholding techniques and datum referencing to ensure repeatable accuracy.
  • Familiarity with on-machine probing, tool presetters and implementing automated inspection routines.
  • Understanding of machining metallurgy, machinability of steels, aluminum, titanium and specialty alloys.
  • Experience with ERP/MRP shop floor systems for job tracking and production reporting.
  • Competence in SPC, process capability (Cp/Cpk) analysis and root cause problem solving (8D, 5Why).
  • Preventive maintenance and basic mechanical troubleshooting on CNC equipment.
  • Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles (5S, SMED, Kaizen) and continuous improvement methodologies.
  • Familiarity with ISO 9001 quality systems, inspection documentation and regulatory traceability requirements.

Soft Skills

  • Strong attention to detail with a commitment to producing high-precision components and documenting deviations.
  • Analytical problem-solving skills with a methodical approach to diagnosing machining issues and implementing durable fixes.
  • Effective verbal and written communication to collaborate with engineers, quality, procurement and production planners.
  • Time management and prioritization skills to balance setup, programming, production runs and improvement projects.
  • Coaching and mentoring mindset to transfer skills to junior operators and grow team capability.
  • Adaptability and continuous learning orientation to adopt new tools, CAM strategies and materials.
  • Collaborative teamwork attitude with ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
  • Customer-focused mindset for internal and external stakeholders, ensuring parts meet performance and delivery expectations.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or equivalent with vocational training in CNC machining, machining technology or related trade.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree or technical diploma in machining technology, manufacturing technology, mechanical engineering technology, or equivalent vocational certification.
  • Certifications such as NIMS (National Institute for Metalworking Skills), MSSC, or manufacturer-specific control certifications (Fanuc, Haas).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Machining Technology / CNC Technology
  • Manufacturing Engineering Technology
  • Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Industrial Maintenance / Precision Tooling

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 2 to 7 years of hands-on CNC machining, setup and programming experience; includes both prototype and production environments.

Preferred:

  • 3+ years programming multi-axis CNC mills and lathes, experience with CAD/CAM systems, demonstrated history of process improvement and quality ownership; prior experience working with aerospace, medical device, automotive or defense industry standards is a plus.
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