CAD Programmer / Production Operations Lead
PCDrilling Job Description
Role focus: CAD programming, production coordination, quality support, quoting and order management, and customer engagement
Position Overview
PCDrilling is seeking a skilled and detail-oriented CAD Programmer / Production Operations Lead to bridge engineering, production, quality, and customer support activities. This role will be responsible for creating and maintaining CAD files and machine-ready programs, while also helping manage quoting support, order flow, production priorities, customer communication, machine capacity planning, and inspection activities. The ideal candidate is technically strong, highly organized, customer-focused, and comfortable taking ownership of both programming and day-to-day shop coordination.
Key Responsibilities
Create, revise, and maintain CAD drawings, part layouts, and machine-ready programs for production.
Interpret customer drawings, models, specifications, and work instructions to prepare accurate manufacturing data.
Work with machine operators and leadership to ensure programs, tooling, fixturing, and job setups support efficient production.
Assist with job quoting by reviewing drawings, materials, cycle-time expectations, tooling needs, and manufacturability.
Support order entry and work-order release processes to ensure jobs are complete, accurate, and ready for production.
Help prioritize jobs and manage order flow based on customer needs, due dates, material availability, and machine capacity.
Track order status from release through shipment and communicate schedule risks or delays internally and externally as needed.
Engage with customers regarding drawing questions, clarifications, order updates, and production status.
Assist with machine capacity planning by reviewing available machine time, production loading, and bottlenecks.
Coordinate with shop personnel to improve throughput, reduce downtime, and keep high-priority work moving.
Perform in-process and final quality checks using calipers, gauges, and other precision measuring tools.
Support first article inspection requirements, including AS9102 measurements, documentation, and report preparation.
Review completed parts against prints and specifications to confirm dimensional accuracy and compliance.
Help identify nonconformances, support corrective actions, and promote continuous improvement in manufacturing quality.
Maintain organized job files, drawing revisions, production documentation, and inspection records.
Follow all workplace safety procedures and help maintain a clean, organized, and efficient work environment.
Qualifications
High school diploma or equivalent required; technical school, CAD training, or machining/programming experience strongly preferred.
Experience with CAD software and preparing files for CNC or production use.
Experience in a machine shop, manufacturing, CNC, plastics fabrication, or a related technical environment.
Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, tolerances, and technical specifications.
Strong understanding of machining practices, materials, inspection methods, and production workflow.
Experience supporting quoting, work-order flow, scheduling, or production coordination is preferred.
Familiarity with quality control practices and dimensional inspection.
Experience with AS9102 first article measurement and documentation is strongly preferred.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities with accuracy and urgency.
Good communication skills with both internal teams and customers.
Preferred Skills
Experience in a small to mid-sized job shop where employees must take on multiple roles.
Knowledge of CNC drilling, routing, machining, or related production equipment.
Ability to estimate labor content, review manufacturability, and support competitive quoting decisions.
Familiarity with production scheduling, job tracking, and capacity planning.
Experience with aerospace, defense, or other precision manufacturing documentation requirements.
Working knowledge of revision control and document management.
Bilingual in English and Spanish is a plus.
Work Environment
Manufacturing / production floor and office-based coordination environment.
Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) required when working in production areas.
May involve standing for extended periods, moving between office and shop floor, and handling materials of moderate weight.
Work Hours
Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Candidate may start part time with the ability to ramp to full time.
Overtime may be requested based on workload and production demands.
Pay: $26.65 - $32.09 per hour
Work Location: In person
