CNC Programmer & Pattern Maker

Kruger Family Industries•Portage, WI

104d•Onsite

About The Position

At Kruger Family Industries (KFI), parent company of Penda Corporation and TriEnda Holdings, the CNC Programmer & Pattern Maker leads the in-house pattern-making operation at the Portage facility. KFI develops engineered thermoformed products, including material-handling products and automotive accessories. The role owns the pattern build process from start to finish, including schedule management, CAM programming, CNC machining, trimming 3D-printed patterns, finishing, and inspection. The employee is accountable for pattern completion dates and proactively communicates schedule status to Engineering and Operations stakeholders. Work includes fabricating and machining master patterns, plugs, and molds; machining 3D-printed tools; modifying and repairing aluminum molds; finishing surfaces; checking draft and venting; and verifying tools against engineering tolerances. The role collaborates with design engineering and follows regulatory requirements and company policies and procedures. This is a direct-hire opportunity. The position works in a production and shop environment with fluctuating temperatures, moderate to high noise, machinery, chips, dust, and finishing resins. Hearing protection and safety eyewear are required on the production floor. The role may involve all shift schedules, periodic overtime, periodic weekend work, and less than 10% travel.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least 3 years of experience in CNC machining, pattern making, mold making, or precision tool/die fabrication.
Experience machining and working with wood, Ren Shape/tooling board, plastics such as ABS, and metals such as cast aluminum.
Experience setting up and operating CNC mills or large-format routers.
Strong traditional model-shop bench-work skills.
Ability to read 3D engineering files, blueprints, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
Fluency in English.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret documents and present information effectively to employees at all levels, including top management.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, interpret technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form, and work with abstract and concrete variables.
Ability to work all shift schedules, periodic overtime, and periodic weekends.
Ability to meet the position's physical demands, including regularly standing, talking, walking, hearing, reaching, stooping, and bending; seldom lifting or moving more than 25 pounds.
Work around machinery, aluminum and wood chips, shop dust, and finishing resins; use required hearing protection and safety eyewear on the production floor.

Nice To Haves

CNC machining certification, tool and die certification, or a trade apprenticeship.

Responsibilities

Lead KFI's in-house pattern-making operation at the Portage facility and manage pattern schedules from start to completion.
Build, construct, and CNC machine master patterns, plugs, and molds using hardwood, plywood, Ren Shape/polyurethane tooling boards, and epoxy.
Set up and operate 3-axis and 5-axis CNC routers and mills to machine, trim, and finish 3D-printed polymer patterns into production-ready thermoforming plugs.
Modify, repair, and rework cast aluminum molds, including precise drilling, milling, and manual bench work.
Sand, fill, polish, and apply heat-resistant coatings to 3D-printed, wood, Ren board, and aluminum tooling surfaces.
Inspect tooling for proper draft angles and drill or clear vacuum vent holes.
Load, test, and optimize CNC programs and make basic G-code edits at the controller.
Inspect finished tools with calipers, micrometers, and depth gauges to verify engineering tolerances of ±0.005 inches.
Collaborate with the on-site design engineering team on 3D-print machining allowances, material stock, and aluminum mold design updates.
Communicate pattern completion dates and schedule status proactively to Engineering and Operations stakeholders.
Perform duties in compliance with regulatory requirements and company policies and procedures.