NC Programmer - Electron Beam Welding Operator
About The Position
This role trains under electron beam engineering support to develop the skills needed to independently operate an e-beam welding cell, translating engineering drawings, CAD models, and customer specifications into CNC/NC programs while designing fixtures, tool paths, and weld parameters for each job. Responsibilities include managing vacuum chamber pump-down, positioning workpieces and configuring beam voltage, current, focus, and travel speed to match material and joint requirements. The role requires first-article prove-out, real-time beam programming and calibration adjustments and process optimization to reduce weld defects. Maintaining weld logs and traceability documentation in compliance with customer, industry, and radiation safety standards is normal practice.
Requirements
- 9 or more years Expert level machinist and/or CNC programming background, welding experience desirable.
- High School Diploma or GED
- Experience with CAM software for generating and optimizing multi-axis toolpaths including simultaneous 5-axis strategies.
- Ability to read complex part and assembly prints and translate tolerance requirements into programming strategy.
- Familiarity with CMM in-process inspection feedback loops for successful part and assembly production.
- Ability to design or specify fixturing that maintains part accessibility and rigidity across multi-axis toolpaths.
Nice To Haves
- Machining experience across mill/lathe and mill/turn, including manual setup and the ability to run/troubleshoot programs at the machine level highly desirable but not required.
Responsibilities
- Work under SRF Engineering to develop skills to operate e-beam welding cell independently.
- Converts engineering drawings, CAD & customer specs into CNC/NC code for electron-beam welding cell, selecting appropriate tool paths, process parameters, and weld sequences for each job.
- Participates in determining fixtures and workholding setups needed to run each program efficiently and safely.
- Manages chamber pump-down cycles, monitors vacuum levels, and troubleshoots leaks or seal failures to maintain the environment required for a stable, contamination-free electron beam.
- Positions/secures workpieces in vacuum chambers & fixtures, aligns parts to precise tolerances, configures beam parameters (voltage, current, focus, travel speed) to match material type, thickness, and joint design.
- Work with engineering teams on design and fab strategy of prototypes, pre-production and first articles in support of SRF operations at JLab and other nuclear research labs around the world.
- Sets or adjusts CNC-driven beam paths and oscillation patterns, performs test welds and beam calibration checks, and fine-tunes parameters to achieve proper penetration, fusion, and minimal distortion.
Benefits
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Care Plans
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Paid Time-off and Leave Programs (Paid Parental, vacation, holidays, and sick leave)
- 401(k) Plan – 9% Lab Contribution; 100% vested
- Flexible Work Arrangements (Remote & Alternate Work Schedules available)
- Tuition Assistance, Training and Professional Development Programs
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
High school or GED
