Tag Archives: NC programmer

Employee Stories: Shayne, NC Programmer

Gaining Perspective

While working through his senior year at Concrete High School, Shayne was introduced to Janicki by his superintendent. When he learned about Janicki’s internship program for local high school students, he landed a part-time role as a machine shop helper.

As a shop helper, his tasks were straightforward but important: cleaning the machine shop and building tools. It was his first introduction to the precision and discipline of manufacturing work. At the same time, he balanced schoolwork and played on the high school baseball team.

Shayne poses with a Mazak mill

After graduation, Shayne began working full time with Janicki. But like many young professionals, he felt the pull to explore. He left for a short time, trying out jobs in the lumber and tree service industries. The experience gave him perspective, and after a few months, he decided to return to Janicki.

A Journey Through the Machine Shop

Since rejoining the company in 2019, he’s been continuously building his career. Shayne began operating a Doosan mill. He focused on production-run metal parts, gaining hands-on experience with tight tolerances, materials and toolpaths. That deep exposure gave him insight into both the capabilities and challenges of machining complex components.

After several years of sharpening his skills, he made a career change into NC programming.

“It seemed interesting and was a good move for the company to have me learn a new skill,” Shayne said.

Now, he spends his days programming using NX software to produce the code that guides Janicki’s machining processes. His transition from machinist to programmer gives him a unique edge.

“Moving from an experienced machinist position to a programmer is relatively unique,” he said. “Some programmers have never run a machine in their life, and that makes it difficult to know what the operator prefers or needs when they get a program sent to the machine.”

Because he understands how the work gets done on the floor, he writes programs with the operator in mind, leading to better results, fewer revisions and more efficient operations.

Pride in the Product

Shayne is especially proud of the parts he’s helped build for large-scale aerospace and defense programs.

“Any part that comes off the machine is kind of like a trophy, it’s an awesome feeling that you made a part for some really interesting programs.”

He’s worked on complex projects that demand closed corners and tight tolerances. These types of parts push the limits of both programming and the machines, and that’s what Shayne enjoys most.

“Seeing my work get put together into a final product is really amazing.”

Shayne poses next to lake with a fish in his hands

No Mountain High Enough

Outside of work, Shayne spends time in the mountains. He enjoys hiking and climbing to high-elevation lakes throughout the North Cascades, where he hunts, fishes and forages.

“If it came down to it, I would have the skills to survive on my own off the land completely.”

He also finds joy in gardening and spending time with his family, especially his almost 2-year-old daughter, who often joins him in a backpack on his many outdoor adventures.

From sweeping the shop floor to programming mission-critical components, Shayne’s journey is a testament to growth, grit and hands-on experience. At Janicki, stories like his remind us that there are limitless opportunities for growth.

Interested in a machinist or NC programming role? Visit our Job Openings page.

 

Employee Stories: Noemi, 2024 Summer Production Intern

 

Noemi on a bench in front of a building

Noemi is a summer intern on the NC programming team. She attends Whatcom College, where she studies electrical engineering. She is gaining experience behind the scenes of engineering, learning to program parts and working in production.

Working as a programmer has helped Noemi better understand some of the work she will do as an engineer. In her role, she programs the machines that accommodate the engineers’ drawings. This experience has taught her how to create good drawings for programmers to work with in the future. She loves that each project she programs is different, and overcoming the challenges that come with it excites her.

She enjoys that Janicki trusts its interns and their work.

“They allow you to be independent, giving you the freedom to learn from your mistakes while still guiding you along the way,” states Noemi.

Noemi describes herself as adventurous, hardworking, and open to new experiences. In her free time, she loves to do anything active, like rock climbing and bouldering and she also loves to travel.

 

Are you interested in becoming an engineering intern? View our Job Openings page for our current open roles.