Glazing Drafter/CNC Programmer

TECHNICAL OPERATIONS OPPORTUNITY

COMMERCIAL GLAZING DRAFTER & CNC PROGRAMMER

PCI Glass & Glazing | Detailing, BIM Coordination & Fabrication Technology

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Commercial Glazing Drafter & CNC Programmer transforms architectural and approved glazing design information into accurate shop drawings, fabrication documentation, cut lists, and CNC-ready production files. This role is the technical connection between project management, engineering, fabrication, and field installation, helping ensure glazing systems are coordinated, constructible, fabricated correctly the first time, and released in alignment with project schedules.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop commercial glazing shop drawings, fabrication drawings, elevations, plans, sections, details, and production documentation.
• Review architectural drawings, specifications, addenda, RFIs, approved submittals, field dimensions, and project requirements before detailing or programming.
• Coordinate with Project Managers and Operations on scope, system selections, schedules, material releases, fabrication priorities, and installation sequencing.
• Translate approved information into fabrication packages that clearly communicate what the shop must cut, machine, assemble, label, and package.
• Maintain disciplined document/revision control and identify conflicts, missing information, and constructability concerns before release.

CNC PROGRAMMING & FABRICATION SUPPORT

• Develop CNC programs for architectural aluminum, including cuts, holes, slots, notches, routes, weeps, fastener locations, and hardware preparation.
• Verify profile orientation, dimensions, offsets, tooling, machining locations, and tolerances before release.
• Generate and coordinate cut lists, fabrication drawings, labels, and production information by project and installation sequence.
• Troubleshoot programming/fabrication issues with shop personnel and support first-piece verification for new or complex work.
• Maintain organized CNC program libraries, standardized machining templates, and repeatable fabrication processes.

GLAZING SYSTEM KNOWLEDGE

• Apply working knowledge of storefront, curtain wall, window wall, interior framing, entrances, aluminum doors/frames, sill flashing, pressure plates/covers, glazing pockets/adapters, gaskets, hardware preparation, brake metal, and related accessories.
• Interpret manufacturer catalogs, fabrication manuals, engineering information, system limitations, and project-specific requirements.

PROJECT & BIM COORDINATION

• Coordinate glazing with architectural, structural, adjacent construction, field conditions, and approved system requirements.
• Work with Project Managers to resolve dimensional discrepancies, design conflicts, incomplete information, and fabrication questions.
• BIM modeling and coordination experience is a plus, particularly using 3D building models to coordinate glazing systems, identify clashes, and support shop drawing/fabrication development.
• Use model information, when available, to improve constructability, dimensional accuracy, and communication between project and production teams.

Salary range: $59,500 – $80,000 annual salary plus non-guaranteed annualized bonus program.

FABRICATION RELEASE & QUALITY CONTROL

• Confirm current approved drawings, dimensions, field measurements, profiles, glass requirements, door/hardware information, and fabrication details before release.
• Perform self-checks of critical dimensions, calculations, machining logic, and CNC programs before issuing work to production.
• Prevent obsolete drawings or programs from reaching the shop through strong revision control and file management.
• Investigate drafting/programming errors, determine root causes, and update standards or processes to prevent recurrence.
• Operate with the expectation that fabrication issues should be identified digitally before aluminum is cut.

MATERIAL OPTIMIZATION & CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

• Support material optimization, efficient cut planning, fabrication batching, and production sequencing.
• Develop reusable details, CNC templates, system libraries, and standardized processes for repetitive work.
• Reduce unnecessary machine setups, manual fabrication, material waste, and production rework.
• Seek feedback from shop and field personnel and apply lessons learned to improve detailing and programming.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 3+ years of commercial glass and glazing drafting/detailing experience preferred; glazing fabrication experience is highly desirable.
• Strong knowledge of commercial storefront, curtain wall, entrances, doors, and architectural aluminum systems.
• Ability to read and interpret architectural drawings, specifications, shop drawings, manufacturer information, and fabrication requirements.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD or comparable CAD software; strong mathematical, dimensional, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience programming CNC equipment used for architectural aluminum fabrication preferred.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, communication, and ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.

PREFERRED TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE

• AutoCAD, Revit, Bluebeam Revu, and related digital detailing tools.
• BIM modeling and coordination experience, including use of 3D models to support glazing coordination, shop drawings, and fabrication.
• CNC programming software, manufacturer-specific fabrication software, cut-list optimization, ERP/production systems, and digital fabrication workflows.
• Experience with architectural aluminum CNC equipment such as Emmegi, FOM, Elumatec, or similar equipment is highly desirable.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

• Shop drawing accuracy and on-time completion; on-time fabrication releases; CNC programming accuracy and first-piece success.
• Fabrication error/rework rate, material waste, revision accuracy, fabrication-package completeness, and responsiveness to shop/field questions.
• Development of standardized details/programs, reduction in manual fabrication, and support of overall project and production schedules.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS