CNC Manufacturing Engineer / Programmer

DW Products – Cedar Rapids, IA | Full-Time | On-Site

About DW Products

DW Products is a precision CNC turning shop in Cedar Rapids with more than 70 years of proven performance. Our work spans single-spindle CNC to advanced 8-spindle INDEX Swiss technology, producing complex, high-tolerance components for demanding industries.

Recent investments in automation, robotics, presetters, advanced programming, and CMM inspection are driving the next stage of our growth. We are building a stronger engineering and programming function to match the level of our equipment and support our long-term growth.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a CNC Manufacturing Engineer / Programmer to support and strengthen our CNC programming, process development, and manufacturing engineering capabilities.

This role will focus heavily on CNC programming, CAD/CAM support, process development, tooling selection, cycle time improvement, setup support, quoting support, and new product launches within a high-volume production machining environment.

The right person will be programming-oriented, highly organized, and comfortable working in an INDEX, Swiss CNC, CNC lathe, or similar production machining environment. This person will help create stronger processes, better documentation, more consistent follow-up, and improved communication between engineering, planning, setup, production, quality, and leadership.

What You’ll Do

• Develop, review, and improve CNC programs for production machining.
• Support CNC programming and process development using CAD/CAM software.
• Work with INDEX, Swiss CNC, CNC lathes, multi-spindle CNC, or similar production machining equipment.
• Create and improve machining processes, tooling plans, setup strategies, and cycle time standards.
• Review customer prints, GD&T requirements, engineering specifications, and job requirements.
• Develop tooling packages and assist with tooling selection.
• Calculate cycle times and support quoting activities.
• Support new product launches from quote review through production release.
• Create and maintain BOMs, routings, setup sheets, process drawings, and work instructions.
• Help standardize programming practices, setup documentation, tooling packages, and process instructions.
• Troubleshoot programming, tooling, setup, quality, and production issues.
• Support setup technicians and operators during new jobs, process changes, and production challenges.
• Improve communication and follow-up between engineering, planning, production, quality, and leadership.
• Help create repeatable processes so jobs are documented, followed through, and easier to reproduce consistently.
• Support APQP documentation, PFMEA, control plans, SPC documentation, and process flow diagrams as needed.
• Work directly with customers and internal teams to support manufacturing objectives.
• Provide technical support and coaching to less experienced programming or engineering team members.

What You Bring

• Strong CNC programming experience in a production machining environment.
• Experience with CAD/CAM software; Esprit or similar software preferred.
• Experience with INDEX, Swiss CNC, multi-spindle CNC, CNC lathes, or high-volume turning preferred.
• Strong understanding of tooling, feeds and speeds, offsets, setup strategy, cycle time, and process optimization.
• Ability to read engineering prints and apply GD&T principles.
• Experience developing machining processes from customer prints and specifications.
• Ability to troubleshoot programming, tooling, setup, and quality issues.
• Experience creating or improving routings, setup sheets, work instructions, and manufacturing documentation.
• Strong follow-up, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with production, setup, quality, planning, and leadership.
• Understanding of ISO standards and quality systems.
• APQP, PFMEA, control plans, SPC, and Lean Manufacturing experience preferred.
• Ability to support and mentor less experienced programmers or engineering team members.

Schedule

First shift position. Specific schedule to be discussed based on business needs.

Pay

Competitive pay based on experience.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) and retirement plan
• Short-term disability and life insurance
• Vacation, paid holidays, and personal days
• Training and long-term growth opportunities
• Opportunity to help build the future engineering function of a growing precision manufacturing company

Apply Today

• If you are a hands-on CNC programmer or manufacturing engineer who enjoys developing machining processes, improving programs, solving production problems, and creating stronger systems, we encourage you to apply.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• How many years of hands-on CNC programming experience do you have?
• Which CAD/CAM software have you used?
• Have you personally developed, edited, or troubleshot CNC programs for production machining?
• What types of CNC machines have you programmed or supported?
• Are you comfortable reading and editing G-code/M-code?
• Have you created or maintained setup sheets, routings, tooling lists, work instructions, or other controlled manufacturing documentation

Work Location: In person