CNC Programmer
Posted Mar 4, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 2026
Likely interview questions for this role
Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.
Behavioral
Tell me about a time you took over or inherited a CNC program that was running poorly, maybe too slow or with quality issues, and what you did to fix it.
real experience improving throughput and tooling costs, not just writing new programs from scratch
Tell me about a time you had to explain a machining problem or a program change to someone who wasn't a programmer, like an operator or a maintenance tech.
ability to communicate technical detail clearly across roles, which the posting calls out directly
Describe a situation where you had to hand off a program or a shift note between first and second shift, and something got lost in translation. What happened and what changed after that?
understanding of the cross-shift handoff demands of this specific second-shift role
Tell me about a machine tool or control you had to learn on the job, maybe a Mazak, Okuma, Tsugami, or Fanuc-based system you hadn't used before. How did you get up to speed?
adaptability across the variety of machine tools and controls this shop actually runs
Technical
Walk me through how you'd program a part that needs to run on a mill-turn machine, starting from the engineering drawing or 3D model all the way to a proven-out program.
whether they have a real end-to-end process rather than just knowing isolated CAM commands
How do you decide on speeds and feeds when you're cutting something like aluminum versus a stainless or alloy steel part, and how much do you rely on the machine's capability versus the material?
depth of hands-on machining knowledge versus book knowledge
What's your experience with Mastercam, and can you describe a program where you used parametric or variable-based programming instead of a straight toolpath?
actual depth with the named CAM tool and comfort with macro-level programming, not just menu-driven CAM use
How do you approach fixture or workholding design when you're given a new part with no existing setup?
whether they can advise on fixturing rather than just assuming a fixture is handed to them
Have you ever edited or updated a CAM post processor, or worked with Macro B or similar parametric programming? Walk me through an example.
whether the candidate actually has the preferred deeper programming skill or is just familiar with the terms
How do you read GD&T callouts on a drawing to figure out what actually matters for your program versus what's just informational?
real fluency with GD&T rather than surface familiarity
Situational
Say a part is coming off the machine and the CMM report shows it's out of tolerance on a critical dimension, but the program looks correct on paper. What do you check first?
troubleshooting instincts and whether they know how to separate program error from setup, tooling wear, or fixture issues
You're asked to train an entry-level programmer while also carrying your own program load for the shift. How do you balance that?
willingness and approach to mentoring without dropping their own responsibilities, since the role requires training
If you noticed a tool was wearing faster than expected on a long-running job and nobody had flagged it yet, what would you do before it becomes a scrap problem?
proactive ownership and initiative without being told, which the posting explicitly asks for
Practice this interview out loud.
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Practice this out loudThe full job description
As published by Mercury Marine.
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