CNC Technician

Hydro Extrusions•Sidney, OH

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The CNC Technician is responsible for the setup, operation, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of CNC machining processes to safely produce high-quality parts at required production targets. This role bridges the gap between CNC Operators, Manufacturing Engineers, and Maintenance by ensuring machines, tooling, programs, and processes are capable, stable, and efficient. The CNC Technician plays a critical role in minimizing downtime, improving cycle times, maintaining dimensional accuracy, and supporting new product launches and process changes. This position requires strong technical knowledge of CNC machining principles, hands-on problem solving, and a proactive approach to quality and safety.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Minimum of 3 years of hands-on CNC machining experience in a manufacturing environment.
Experience supporting production machining (not prototype-only environments)
Strong working knowledge of CNC mills and/or lathes (3-axis, 4-axis, or 5-axis preferred).
Ability to read and interpret blueprints, GD&T, and work instructions.
Working knowledge of cutting tools, inserts, toolholders, and workholding systems.
Experience with probing systems and tool setters.
Basic understanding of CNC controls (Fanuc, Mazak, Siemens, Haas, etc.)

Nice To Haves

Technical degree, apprenticeship, or formal CNC training preferred.
Strong mechanical aptitude and diagnostic thinking.
Ability to systematically troubleshoot process and equipment issues.
Attention to detail with a focus on part quality and repeatability.
Ability to communicate clearly with operators, engineers, supervisors, and maintenance.
Willingness to coach and support CNC Operators.
Comfortable documenting and sharing best practices

Responsibilities

Set up and operate CNC machining centers, including mills, lathes, and multi-axis machines.
Perform complete job changeovers including fixtures, tooling, offsets, work holding, probes, and part zero verification.
Verify CNC programs and ensure correct revision levels are used.
Conduct first-piece inspections and approve parts for production.
Diagnose and correct machining issues such as dimensional variation, surface finish defects, tool wear, vibration, or chatter.
Troubleshoot alarms related to tooling, probing, servos, and basic machine functions.
Work with Maintenance for electrical, mechanical, or control-related machine issues.
Support operators with technical guidance and hands-on assistance to maintain production flow.
Use precision measuring equipment including micrometers, calipers, height gauges, bore gauges, and CMMs as required.
Interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and quality requirements accurately.
Validate processes through capability studies and inspection plans.
Identify root causes of nonconforming parts and implement corrective actions.
Make minor CNC program edits at the machine or offline as authorized (feeds, speeds, tool paths, probing logic).
Support Manufacturing Engineering with program prove-outs and cycle time reduction efforts.
Optimize tooling strategies and cutting parameters to improve tool life, throughput, and part quality.
Assist with standardization of machining processes across shifts or cells.
Support Lean manufacturing initiatives, Kaizen events, and waste reduction efforts.
Create and maintain setup sheets, tooling lists, work instructions, and best-practice documentation.
Participate in PFMEAs, control plans, and process audits.
Provide feedback on manufacturability of new or revised part designs.
Follow all safety policies, lockout/tagout procedures, machine guarding requirements, and PPE standards.
Ensure machines are operated in a safe condition with proper guarding and interlocks.
Promote a culture of safety and accountability on the shop floor.