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Sheet Metal Programmer – Precision Manufacturing (Rancho Dominguez)
ERC Company
2970 E. Maria Street
compensation:
$35.00+ hourly DOE
employment type:
full-time
experience level:
senior level
job title:
Sheet Metal Programmer
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ERC Company is a precision machining, sheet metal fabrication, and engineering company known for high-quality workmanship and reliable delivery. The company is built around skilled employees who specialize in producing complex, tight-tolerance components and assemblies for a range of industrial applications. Team members work with modern equipment and tools in a structured, safety-focused environment. ERC Company values collaboration, technical excellence, and continuous improvement, offering opportunities to grow skills and contribute to challenging projects.
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced Sheet Metal Programmer to join our manufacturing team. This position is ideal for a skilled programmer who is comfortable working in a fast-paced job shop environment where part types, materials, quantities, and fabrication requirements change frequently.
The Sheet Metal Programmer will be responsible for developing accurate and efficient programs, flat patterns, nests, and manufacturing processes for precision sheet metal components. The ideal candidate has strong sheet metal fabrication knowledge, understands manufacturability and material utilization, and can work effectively with machine operators, engineering, quality, estimating, and production personnel.
Experience with CAD/CAM sheet metal programming and nesting software is required.
Key Responsibilities
Create, modify, optimize, and troubleshoot programs for sheet metal fabrication equipment.
Review customer drawings, CAD models, specifications, tolerances, and other technical requirements.
Develop accurate flat patterns, bend allowances, bend deductions, tooling requirements, and fabrication sequences.
Program laser cutters, turret punches, press brakes, and other sheet metal equipment based on shop capabilities and production requirements.
Import, review, and prepare customer CAD files for manufacturing.
Create efficient sheet layouts and nests to maximize material utilization and minimize scrap.
Determine appropriate tooling, cut conditions, punch sequences, bend sequences, and machine parameters.
Account for material type, thickness, grain direction, bend radius, hardware, forming requirements, and downstream operations.
Optimize programs to improve cycle time, material utilization, part quality, repeatability, and overall production efficiency.
Support machine operators with program prove-outs, first-piece setups, troubleshooting, and process improvements.
Identify manufacturability concerns, drawing discrepancies, and potential production issues before or during manufacturing.
Recommend design or process improvements when appropriate.
Make program adjustments based on inspection results, machine performance, or production feedback.
Generate and maintain setup sheets, bend information, tooling documentation, nests, and other manufacturing instructions.
Maintain organized and properly controlled programs, revisions, and related manufacturing documentation.
Coordinate with production personnel to prioritize programming needs and support changing production schedules.
Work closely with Quality to ensure parts meet customer drawings, specifications, and inspection requirements.
Work with estimating and engineering personnel to evaluate manufacturing methods, tooling requirements, and expected production times.
Follow established procedures within an ISO 9001 quality management system.
Support continuous improvement efforts related to programming, nesting, setup reduction, material utilization, and fabrication processes.
Maintain a safe, clean, and organized work environment.
Qualifications
10+ years of sheet metal programming experience required.
Strong experience in a job shop or high-mix precision manufacturing environment preferred.
Proficiency with CAD/CAM sheet metal programming and nesting software.
Strong understanding of sheet metal fabrication principles, including cutting, punching, forming, bending, hardware installation, and secondary operations.
Ability to read and interpret complex engineering drawings, CAD models, GD&T, and manufacturing specifications.
Strong understanding of dimensional tolerances and precision sheet metal requirements.
Experience creating flat patterns and calculating bend allowances, bend deductions, bend radii, and developed lengths.
Knowledge of sheet metal materials and thicknesses, including aluminum, stainless steel, carbon steel, and other common aerospace and industrial materials.
Understanding of tooling selection, machine limitations, nesting, grain direction, and material utilization.
Ability to independently troubleshoot programming and fabrication issues.
Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
Ability to balance quality, efficiency, material utilization, tooling considerations, and production requirements.
Comfortable working in an environment with changing priorities, short runs, prototypes, and repeat production work.
Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with operators, engineering, quality, estimating, and production teams.
Experience working within an ISO 9001, or similar quality-controlled manufacturing environment preferred.
Preferred Experience
Laser cutting and programming
Turret punch programming
Press brake programming
Automated nesting and material optimization
Flat-pattern development
Bend allowance and bend deduction calculations
Precision sheet metal fabrication
Complex forming and bend sequencing
Hardware and fastener requirements
Weldment and assembly drawings
Prototype and low-to-medium-volume production
Aerospace, defense, medical, or other precision manufacturing
GD&T
Process and cycle-time optimization
ERP or manufacturing planning systems, including ProfitFab
What We’re Looking For
We are looking for an experienced, hands-on programmer who understands that successful sheet metal programming goes beyond creating a flat pattern or machine program. The right candidate will consider the complete manufacturing process from material selection, nesting, tooling, and bend sequencing to hardware, welding, inspection, finishing, and final assembly.
This position requires someone who can work independently, communicate effectively with the shop floor, identify potential issues before they reach production, and adapt quickly to the variety and pace of a precision job shop.
Schedule: First Shift, Monday–Friday
Compensation: $35.00+ per hour, depending on experience
- Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.