CNC Lathe Programmer

Located in Detroit, MI

Salary: $25.00 - $29.00

Express Employment Professionals is supporting a long-established Detroit-based manufacturing operation producing wheels, wheel cores, and caster components serving automotive, medical, military, airline, and industrial markets. This is a low-volume, made-to-order job shop with legacy processes and a recent investment in CNC technology to modernize operations and reduce lead times!
As part of the team, you'll be joining a tight-knit operation (≈10 employees) with a large footprint in the industry of 75+ years.

Position Summary
Express is seeking a high-level CNC Lathe Programmer / Machinist who can work independently from day one. The Machinist owns the job from print to finished part; this role is NOT for an operator.

Pay Rate: $25.00-$29.00 (BOE)

Shift: Monday - Friday 6:00AM-2:00PM (no lunch) OR 6:00AM-2:30PM (with lunch) *Possible overtime 1-2 hours per day as needed; occasional Saturday overtime 6AM-12PM*

The ideal candidate can:

• Read paper blueprints (no CAD, no CAM)
• Fixture parts
• Write G-code programs from scratch at the machine
• Set up, program, and machine parts to print with minimal support
• This individual will be the in-house CNC expert, responsible for getting a new CNC lathe fully implemented and running production parts.

What You’ll Be Working With

• CNC Equipment: Doosan Puma 280 CNC Lathe, Fanuc Controls, 2‑Axis Lathe

Programming done at the machine (no laptop provided, vendor service line available for live assistance)

• Materials & Parts: Raw iron castings, Wheel cores, Top plates, Heavy‑duty and light‑duty caster components
• Small batch sizes (4–20 parts typical)
• Secondary Equipment (Bonus Skills nice to have), Manual engine lathes & mills, Laser mills, Surface grinders, Drill presses, Drop saw, Broaching/keyway machines.

Key Responsibilities

• Interpret paper blueprints to determine tooling, and fixturing
• Write CNC programs from scratch using G/M code
• Set up and run the CNC lathe independently
• Touch off tools and prove out programs
• Machine parts to print (typical tolerances: ±0.005" to ±0.010")
• Troubleshoot machining and setup issues
• Assist with manual machining or other shop tasks when CNC is idle
• Support lean, high-mix, low-volume production

Required Experience:

• 3–5+ years CNC programming preferred; less experience considered if skill level is clearly demonstrated
• Ability to program directly at the machine
• Able to fixture parts and modify jaws
• Strong manual machining background helpful (lathe/mill fundamentals)

Comfortable working without CAD, CAM, or engineering support

Apply Now