CNC Programmer (Mill, Lathe & Swiss)

General Matter•Los Angeles, CA

3d•$40 - $58•Onsite

About The Position

General Matter is seeking a highly skilled CNC Programmer with deep expertise in 5-axis milling, CNC turning, and Swiss-type lathes with live tooling. This role is responsible for developing and optimizing machining programs that support the transition from prototype development to scalable production of high-precision components in a regulated manufacturing environment. The ideal candidate is both highly technical and process-oriented, capable of translating complex engineering designs into robust machining strategies while driving continuous improvement in cycle time, tooling performance, repeatability, and manufacturing scalability.

Requirements

5+ years of CNC programming experience, including hands-on programming of 5-axis milling and Swiss-type lathes with live tooling.
Proficiency with a major CAM package — Mastercam, Esprit, GibbsCAM, or Fusion 360 — including multi-axis and mill-turn modules.
Strong working knowledge of G-code/M-code, control platforms (e.g., Fanuc, Siemens, Citizen/Star/Tsugami Swiss controls), and post-processor behavior.
Ability to read and interpret complex engineering drawings and apply GD&T.
Demonstrated experience machining precision components in metals such as stainless steels, titanium, aluminum, and/or high-temperature/superalloys.
Practical knowledge of work-holding, fixturing, tooling selection, and feeds/speeds optimization.
Comfort working in a documented quality environment with full part traceability.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a regulated manufacturing environment — NQA-1, AS9100, or ISO 9001 — preferably nuclear, aerospace, or defense.
Experience supporting prototype-to-production transitions or new-facility/equipment commissioning.
Familiarity with mill-turn machining and macro/parametric (custom macro) programming.
Working knowledge of CMM/inspection processes and first-article inspection (FAI).
Exposure to MES/ERP-driven shop-floor systems and digital process documentation.
Lean manufacturing or continuous-improvement experience (cycle-time reduction, SMED, scrap reduction).
Journeyman machinist background or formal machining/CNC technical credential.

Responsibilities

Develop, prove out, and optimize CNC programs for 5-axis machining centers, CNC lathes, and Swiss-type lathes with live/driven tooling and sub-spindle operations.
Translate engineering models and drawings (GD&T) into manufacturing processes — selecting tooling, work-holding/fixturing, cutting strategies, and machining sequences.
Generate and maintain CAM programs, post-processors, tool libraries, and setup sheets; verify programs through simulation/verification before floor release.
Lead first-article runs and process prove-out; drive cycle-time reduction, tool-life improvement, and scrap reduction without compromising tolerance or surface finish.
Author and maintain process documentation — setup sheets, work instructions, tooling lists — to a standard that supports traceability and repeatability.
Partner with Manufacturing and Quality Engineering on tolerance feasibility, inspection planning, and first-article inspection (FAI / AS9102) requirements.
Support equipment commissioning and capability studies as new machine tools are installed during facility ramp-up.
Mentor machinists and operators on setup, in-process adjustment, and program intent.
Identify and recommend tooling, software, and process improvements to support the transition from prototype to rate production.