CAM Programmer/Manufacturing Engineer

Senior technical role focused on Siemens NX programming, 5-axis and mill-turn process development, NPI execution, and production-ready manufacturing strategy

Company Overview

Smith & Company is a precision manufacturing company serving mission-critical customers in the defense, aerospace, medical device, and advanced industrial markets. We are scaling capability, equipment, and engineering discipline to support complex, high-consequence work. This is an immediate, on-site hiring requirement in Birmingham, Alabama.

Why Smith & Company

We run a new 35,000 square foot advanced manufacturing facility, with a 50,000 square foot expansion planned for 2027. The operation is built around modern multi-axis and large-format CNC machining, advanced CMM and laser inspection, and a controlled engineering environment.

This is not a maintenance-mode shop. We are actively scaling process control, inspection capability, automation, and engineering discipline to support complex, mission-critical work for defense and aerospace programs.

Position Summary

The CAM Programmer / Manufacturing Engineer develops, optimizes, and sustains manufacturing processes for complex precision-machined components across defense, aerospace, medical device, and advanced industrial customers. The role owns CNC programming strategy, tooling and workholding concepts, setup documentation, process prove-out, and NPI execution. It requires a hands-on manufacturing mindset and the ability to turn customer models, drawings, specifications, and quality requirements into repeatable production processes.

Core Responsibilities

• Develop CNC programs in Siemens NX CAM for complex 3-, 4-, 5-axis, simultaneous 5-axis, and mill-turn applications.
• Own manufacturing process development from model and print review through production release.
• Build machining strategies that balance quality, safety, cycle time, tool life, and long-term repeatability.
• Lead NPI activities including DFM review, manufacturing planning, tooling and workholding strategy, setup development, and first article execution.
• Translate engineering models, drawings, GD&T, specifications, and customer flow-down requirements into executable manufacturing plans.
• Develop and maintain setup sheets, tooling lists, process notes, and shop-floor instructions.
• Support fixture and workholding development using modular Lang and FCS systems, along with custom fixturing where required.
• Partner with machinists through prove-out, first article, production release, and process troubleshooting.
• Support machining across aluminum, stainless steels, titanium, nickel alloys, Invar, 17-4PH, 13-8PH, and armor aluminum.
• Support APQP, AS9100, first article and delta FAI, engineering change implementation, and production readiness.
• Work with Quality to align inspection strategy, datum structure, and in-process checks with the manufacturing process.
• Support customer and supplier technical communication on manufacturability, process questions, tooling, and special processes.
• Mentor machinists and junior programmers on machining strategy, NX standards, and process discipline.
• Drive continuous improvement in cycle time, setup time, tool life, and rework reduction.

  Required Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of CNC manufacturing experience.
• Minimum 5 years of CNC programming experience.
• Demonstrated CAM programming experience for complex 5-axis and simultaneous 5-axis machining centers and mill-turn applications.
• Siemens NX CAM strongly preferred. Equivalent high-end multi-axis CAM experience will be considered, including Mastercam, hyperMILL, Esprit / Esprit EDGE, SolidCAM, Edgecam, Tebis, PowerMill, GibbsCAM, SprutCAM, WorkNC, CATIA NC / Delmia, Cimatron, or Fusion 360.
• Strong GD&T knowledge and the ability to interpret complex engineering drawings, model-based definition (MBD), and customer flow-down requirements.
• Ability to independently process a part from model and drawing through first article and production release.
• Strong working knowledge of cutting tools, toolholders, workholding, fixturing, probing, post processing, offsets, datum structure, cycle time, and process capability.
• Ability to maintain documentation discipline and process control in a fast-paced NPI and production environment.
• Strong communication with machinists, quality, engineering, operations, suppliers, and customers.

  Preferred Qualifications

• Aerospace, defense, medical device, or high-precision manufacturing background.
• Experience with Siemens Teamcenter, Vericut, NX postprocessor development, or a controlled manufacturing data / PLM environment.
• Familiarity with digital twin technology, model-based manufacturing (MBM), and model-based definition (MBD).
• Experience supporting AS9100, ISO 9001, first article inspection (AS9102), APQP, PPAP, production readiness reviews, or customer source inspection.
• Familiarity with NADCAP special processes and supplier flow-down requirements.
• Experience with CNC controls including Siemens Sinumerik and Heidenhain, with familiarity across Fanuc, Mazak Mazatrol, Okuma OSP, or Mitsubishi a plus.
• Experience with advanced platforms such as Hermle, Heller, Zayer, DN Solutions, or comparable 5-axis and large-format machining centers.
• Large-format machining, structural components, housings, castings, forgings, armor aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, and other difficult-material experience.
• Experience with Renishaw probing, on-machine inspection, Haimer tool presetting, and Lang or FCS modular workholding.
• Experience with lights-out or automated machining, pallet systems, or cell automation.
• Experience mentoring machinists, setup personnel, or junior programmers.

  Equipment and Technology Environment

• Siemens NX CAM programming environment.
• Siemens Sinumerik and Heidenhain CNC controls.
• Heller horizontal machining platforms.
• Hermle 5-axis machining centers.
• Zayer large-format machining.
• DN Solutions machining platforms.
• Haimer tool presetting.
• Lang and FCS modular workholding.
• Wenzel CMM systems, including large-format inspection.
• Keyence and laser inspection technology.
• Machining capability from precision components near 4 inches to structures approaching 39 feet.

  Success Profile

  The right candidate is not a CAM operator. This person understands manufacturing ownership: evaluate the part, select the strategy, design the process, prove the method, support the machinist, close the first article, and stabilize the process for production. The successful candidate is technically strong, practical on the floor, disciplined with documentation, and effective across both urgent customer requirements and long-term process standardization.

  Work Schedule

  This is a day-shift position. Program or delivery requirements may occasionally call for extended or off-shift hours; this is the exception, not the routine, and is tied to specific production or customer needs.

  Travel Requirements

  Occasional travel to customer facilities, suppliers, training events, trade shows, or equipment manufacturers may be required.

  Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Company-paid life insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Paid time off and paid holidays.
• Professional development, technical training, and advancement within a growing organization.

  U.S. Person, ITAR, and Controlled Data Requirements

  Due to the nature of our work and customer requirements, applicants must be a U.S. Person as defined by U.S. export control regulations, including ITAR. Employment may require access to controlled technical data, defense-related products, CUI, and ITAR-controlled information, and to systems governed by DFARS, NIST 800-171, and CMMC requirements.

  Background Investigation

  Employment is contingent on successful completion of a background investigation conducted by a third-party screening provider. This may include employment and education verification, professional reference checks, criminal background screening, identity verification, and other lawful pre-employment screening as permitted by applicable law.

  Relocation and Interview Travel

• Candidates located more than 60 miles from Birmingham should be open to relocating to the area within a reasonable period after hire.
• Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates, based on role, experience, and business need.
• For candidates located more than 100 miles from Birmingham, approved on-site interview travel may be reimbursed, including mileage at the applicable IRS rate or economy airfare. Lodging and other expenses require advance approval and supporting receipts.

  Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to stand and walk on concrete surfaces for extended periods.
• Ability to bend, reach, kneel, and perform repetitive motions common to manufacturing operations.
• Ability to work safely within an industrial manufacturing environment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Smith & Company, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Long-Term Career Fit

Smith & Company is building long-term careers. If you want to own real manufacturing work, build process from the model up, and help scale a serious precision operation supporting defense and aerospace programs, this is the role.

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