What are the responsibilities and job description for the CNC Manufacturing Engineer / Programmer position at DW Products?
CNC Manufacturing Engineer / Programmer
DW Products – Cedar Rapids, IA | Full-Time | On-Site
About DW Products
DW Products is a precision CNC turning shop in Cedar Rapids with more than 70 years of proven performance. Our work spans single-spindle CNC to advanced 8-spindle INDEX Swiss technology, producing complex, high-tolerance components for demanding industries.
Recent investments in automation, robotics, presetters, advanced programming, and CMM inspection are driving the next stage of our growth. We are building a stronger engineering and programming function to match the level of our equipment and support our long-term growth.
The Opportunity
We are seeking a CNC Manufacturing Engineer / Programmer to support and strengthen our CNC programming, process development, and manufacturing engineering capabilities.
This role will focus heavily on CNC programming, CAD/CAM support, process development, tooling selection, cycle time improvement, setup support, quoting support, and new product launches within a high-volume production machining environment.
The right person will be programming-oriented, highly organized, and comfortable working in an INDEX, Swiss CNC, CNC lathe, or similar production machining environment. This person will help create stronger processes, better documentation, more consistent follow-up, and improved communication between engineering, planning, setup, production, quality, and leadership.
What You’ll Do
- Develop, review, and improve CNC programs for production machining.
- Support CNC programming and process development using CAD/CAM software.
- Work with INDEX, Swiss CNC, CNC lathes, multi-spindle CNC, or similar production machining equipment.
- Create and improve machining processes, tooling plans, setup strategies, and cycle time standards.
- Review customer prints, GD&T requirements, engineering specifications, and job requirements.
- Develop tooling packages and assist with tooling selection.
- Calculate cycle times and support quoting activities.
- Support new product launches from quote review through production release.
- Create and maintain BOMs, routings, setup sheets, process drawings, and work instructions.
- Help standardize programming practices, setup documentation, tooling packages, and process instructions.
- Troubleshoot programming, tooling, setup, quality, and production issues.
- Support setup technicians and operators during new jobs, process changes, and production challenges.
- Improve communication and follow-up between engineering, planning, production, quality, and leadership.
- Support APQP documentation, PFMEA, control plans, SPC documentation, and process flow diagrams as needed.
- Work directly with customers and internal teams to support manufacturing objectives.
- Provide technical support and coaching to less experienced programming or engineering team members.
What You Bring
- Strong CNC programming experience, with the ability to develop, review, troubleshoot, and improve programs in a production environment.
- Experience with CAD/CAM software; Esprit or similar software preferred.
- Ability to read, edit, troubleshoot, and improve CNC programs, including G-code/M-code.
- Experience with INDEX, Swiss CNC, multi-spindle CNC, CNC lathes, or high-volume turning preferred.
- Strong understanding of tooling, feeds and speeds, offsets, setup strategy, cycle time, and process optimization.
- Ability to read engineering prints and apply GD&T principles.
- Experience developing machining processes from customer prints and specifications.
- Ability to troubleshoot programming, tooling, setup, and quality issues.
- Experience creating or improving routings, setup sheets, work instructions, and manufacturing documentation.
- Strong ownership and follow-through, with the ability to keep projects, documentation, and communication moving without constant direction.
- Ability to work cross-functionally with production, setup, quality, planning, and leadership.
- Understanding of ISO standards and quality systems.
- APQP, PFMEA, control plans, SPC, and Lean Manufacturing experience preferred.
- Ability to support and mentor less experienced programmers or engineering team members.
- Degree in manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering technology, machining technology, or equivalent hands-on CNC programming experience preferred.
Schedule
First shift position. Specific schedule to be discussed based on business needs.
Pay
Competitive pay based on experience.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) and retirement plan
- Short-term disability and life insurance
- Vacation, paid holidays, and personal days
- Training and long-term growth opportunities
Apply Today
Opportunity to help build the future engineering function of a growing precision manufacturing company!
If you are a hands-on CNC programmer or manufacturing engineer who enjoys developing machining processes, improving programs, solving production problems, and creating stronger systems, we encourage you to apply.