CNC Programmer / Tool Maker

BODY ART ALLIANCE•Oakdale, CA

3d•$82,000 - $101,000•Onsite

About The Position

Body Art Alliance is the leader in the body art self-expression space, an alliance of artist led brands advancing the industry through innovation, service, and education. Every brand under BAA is built on the same idea: the people who wear this jewelry, and the piercers who place it, deserve products made with real craft and real respect for the industry that inspires them. NeoMetal is one of BAA's flagship brands, and the original name in threadless body jewelry. Since 1997, what started as a small family business in a tiny room has grown into a Company trusted by professional piercers around the world, without losing the independent, hands-on spirit it started with. Every piece is precision machined in the United States out of solid implant grade titanium, from raw material to final polish, all under one roof at our own manufacturing facility. Crafted in California. Trusted worldwide. We are looking for a skilled CNC Programmer / Tool Maker to own the tooling, fixtures, and jigs that keep our milling operations running. You will take tooling from first concept and CAD design through machining, prove-out, and production, then support it across its full lifecycle as our product lines scale. Design for Manufacturability (DFM) is at the core of this role. The right person thrives in a fast-paced, hands-on, entrepreneurial environment where your work is visible in the product on day one.

Requirements

Strong CAD proficiency is a must (SolidWorks or similar), with the ability to take a fixture from concept to fully detailed drawings.
Proficiency in CAM programming (Mastercam, Fusion 360, Esprit, or similar) and hands-on G-code editing.
Solid working knowledge of DFM and how design decisions affect machinability, cost, and cycle time.
Experience programming and setting up 3-axis and 5-axis vertical mills.
Strong understanding of GD&T, blueprint reading, and precision measurement (micrometers, height gauges, CMM, optical comparators).
5+ years of CNC programming experience for milling, including tooling and fixture design.
Strong communication skills and the initiative to work collaboratively in a team-oriented, entrepreneurial environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience machining titanium or other difficult materials is a strong plus.
Excellent problem-solving skills, with a track record of root cause and corrective action work.
ISO 9001 or Lean Manufacturing experience is a plus.
Knowledge of Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, or related methodologies is a plus.
Tool and die, toolmaker, or machinist apprenticeship or certification preferred; a degree in Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering, or equivalent experience, is also welcome.
Experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
Familiarity with ERP systems (for example, NetSuite) and production planning tools.
Bilingual in English and Spanish.
Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing certification.

Responsibilities

Design fixtures, jigs, and workholding for vertical and 5-axis milling operations, from initial concept through production release.
Write, edit, and optimize CNC programs for milling machines using CAM software, including toolpath strategy, feeds and speeds, and cycle time reduction.
Apply DFM principles to tooling and product designs, partnering with R&D to make new products manufacturable at volume.
Machine, assemble, and prove out tooling and fixtures, running first article inspections and refining designs until they run reliably in production.
Support the full lifecycle of tooling, fixtures, and jigs: maintenance, repair, modification, revision control, and eventual replacement.
Develop tooling and fixturing that reduces setup and changeover time (SMED) and increases machine availability.
Create and maintain setup sheets, tool lists, program documentation, and fixture drawings.
Troubleshoot machining issues such as tool wear, chatter, dimensional drift, and scrap, and implement corrective actions.
Partner with quality assurance to hold tight tolerances and reduce scrap on small, precision titanium parts.
Manage cutting tool selection, tool life, and tooling inventory to control cost while sustaining quality.
Train and support machinists and production staff on new programs, fixtures, and setups.
Follow health, safety, and environmental regulations in all shop activities.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Train and support production staff on new processes and equipment, and develop standardized work.
Monitor production KPIs and prepare reports for management.
Perform other related duties as assigned.