5-Axis CNC Programmer

At a Glance Company: Ricaurte Precision, Inc. Location: Santa Ana, California Job Type: Full-Time Pay Range: $40–$55/hr (DOE) Schedule: Monday–Friday Overtime: Yes (~10 hrs/week typical) Experience Level: Mid-to-Senior Industries: Aerospace, Medical, Defense, Advanced Manufacturing --- Why This Role Exists Ricaurte Precision is expanding rapidly due to increased demand for complex, tight-tolerance components across aerospace and advanced manufacturing programs. This role exists to support new programs, additional machine capacity, and continued investment in 5-axis machining and lights-out automation. As a CNC Programmer at RPI, your work directly impacts part quality, repeatability, and throughput in a technology-first, high-precision environment. --- The Work You’ll Be Doing In this role, you will: • Program 3-axis, 4-axis, and 5-axis CNC mills, along with live-tooling lathes, Swiss machines, and Wire EDM • Review CAD models, blueprints, and GD&T to develop efficient machining strategies • Select tooling, holders, feeds & speeds, and machining sequences for hard metals and engineered plastics • Match part requirements to the best machine platform (Matsuura, Okuma, Nakamura, Citizen, Robodrill, etc.) • Support machinists with setups, troubleshooting, and process optimization • Collaborate with programming, machining, and quality teams to ensure accuracy, repeatability, and efficiency • Assist with quoting, process planning, and continuous improvement initiatives • Contribute to tooling strategies, fixture concepts, and machining best practices This is a hands-on programming role with real shop-floor involvement—not a desk-only position. --- Machines, Controls & Software You’ll work with advanced, automated CNC technology including: Machines: • 5-Axis CNC Mills (Matsuura) • Multi-Axis Mills & Lathes • Swiss Screw Machines • Wire EDM CAM & Systems: • Mastercam and/or ESPRIT • ERP-driven production environment • AS9100 quality systems Inspection: • CMM, Keyence, Vision-based inspection tools --- What We’re Looking For Required • 3–5 years of CNC programming experience in a precision machining environment • Experience programming hard materials (titanium, Inconel, stainless, tool steels, engineered plastics) on 3- or 4-axis mills OR experience programming 5-axis mills (including aluminum-only environments) • Strong understanding of feeds & speeds, toolpath strategy, and GD&T • Ability to work closely with machinists and support shop-floor execution • Growth mindset and interest in advanced automation and modern CNC technology Preferred (Not Required) • Experience programming Matsuura 5-axis machines • Strong proficiency with Mastercam or ESPRIT • Aerospace or medical machining experience • Familiarity with AS9100 environments --- Materials You’ll Work With • Aluminum • Stainless Steel • Titanium • Inconel • Hastelloy • Engineering Plastics (PEEK, Vespel, etc.) --- Why Machinists & Programmers Like Working Here Programmers choose Ricaurte Precision because of: • A state-of-the-art, highly automated shop • Advanced 5-axis machining and lights-out systems • Challenging work on complex, non-routine parts • Real collaboration between programming, machining, and quality • Investment in tools, software, and special-request equipment • A culture that values engineering input and continuous improvement --- Pay, Benefits & Schedule • $40.00 – $55.00 per hour, DOE • Overtime paid after 8 hrs/day or 40 hrs/week • Medical, dental, and vision insurance (employer contribution) • Life insurance • Paid holidays & paid time off • 401(k) with company match --- Apply Interested CNC Programmers can apply directly through hireCNC. Apply now or save this job to review later.