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.
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.”
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.
